Ventilation interface for sleep apnea therapy

Abstract

The ventilation interface for sleep apnea therapy interfaces a ventilation device to the patient's airways. The ventilation interface includes a pair of nasal inserts made from flexible, resilient silicone which are oval shaped in cross-section and slightly tapered from a base proximal the ventilation supply to the distal tip end. A bead flange is disposed about the exterior of each insert at the distal end of the insert. A bleed port for release of exhaled air is defined through a conical vent projecting normally to the path of the incoming air flow, and continues through a nipple extending to the exterior of the air conduit. In one embodiment, a pair of nasal inserts are integral with a nasal cannula body, with bleed ports axially aligned with each insert. In another embodiment, each insert is independently connected to a separate, thin-walled, flexible supply line.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A respiratory interface for the treatment of breathing problems configured to be in flow communication with at least one of a user's nostrils, the respiratory interface comprising:
 at least one nasal insert having a hollow body, a proximal end, and a distal end; and   at least one flange coupled with the at least one nasal insert, the at least one flange being adapted for forming a seal with the user's nostril during use;   wherein at least a portion of the at least one nasal insert is substantially oval in cross-section;   wherein at least a portion of the at least one nasal insert is tapered.   
     
     
         2 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nasal insert is capable of being compressed and inserted into the user's nostril. 
     
     
         3 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nasal insert is capable of being compressed and inserted into the user's nostril and capable of being retained in the user's nostril by one of the at least one flange and the resilience of the at least one nasal insert. 
     
     
         4 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nasal insert is thin-walled to conform to the shape of the nostrils. 
     
     
         5 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the respiratory interface is structured so the passage of inhaled gases is not substantially impeded. 
     
     
         6 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nasal insert has a height between about 0.25 and 0.75 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nasal insert has a wall thickness between about 1/32 and 1/20 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the at least one nasal insert has a distal port with an internal diameter greater than 0.25″. 
     
     
         9 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nasal insert has a hardness measuring between about 15 and 40 on a type A Shore durometer. 
     
     
         10 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the respiratory interface forms the said seal without the aid of harnesses, head straps, adhesive tape or other external devices. 
     
     
         11 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nasal insert has an axis along its height direction and the at least one flange is substantially normal to said axis. 
     
     
         12 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nasal insert is made in a first shape and structured to reshape during use. 
     
     
         13 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the at least one nasal insert has a first width, the at least one flange has a second width, and the first width is larger than the second width. 
     
     
         14 . The respiratory interface of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one valve coupled with the respiratory interface. 
     
     
         15 . A respiratory interface for the treatment of breathing problems configured to be in flow communication with at least one of a user's nostrils, the respiratory interface comprising:
 at least one nasal insert having a hollow body, a proximal end, and a distal end; and   at least one flange coupled with the at least one of the nasal insert, the at least one flange being adapted for forming a seal and securing the respiratory interface with the user's nostril during use;   wherein at least a portion of the at least one nasal insert is substantially oval in cross-section.   
     
     
         16 . The respiratory interface of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one valve coupled with the respiratory interface. 
     
     
         17 . A respiratory interface for the treatment of breathing problems configured to be in flow communication with at least one of a user's nostrils, the respiratory interface comprising:
 two nasal inserts;   at least one of the nasal inserts having a hollow body, a proximal end, and a distal end; and   at least one flange coupled with at least one of the nasal inserts, the at least one flange being adapted for forming a seal with the user's nostril during use;   wherein at least a portion of at least one of the nasal inserts is tapered.   
     
     
         18 . The respiratory interface of  claim 17 , further comprising a notch positioned between the two nasal inserts. 
     
     
         19 . The respiratory interface of  claim 17 , further comprising a notch positioned between the two nasal inserts, wherein the nasal inserts are substantially oval in cross-section, with the major axis substantially parallel with the notch and the minor axis substantially normal to the notch. 
     
     
         20 . The respiratory interface of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one valve coupled with the respiratory interface.