Nasal respiratory devices

Abstract

Devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed in both nostrils to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. The nasal devices may also increases patency of the nares. Any of these devices may be configured to achieve positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in a subject wearing the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nasal respiratory device, the device comprising:
 an opening surrounded by an adhesive;   an airflow resistor extending across the opening, the airflow resistor comprising a flap valve that inhibits exhalation through a nostril more than inhalation through the nostril when the device is secured over the nostril by the adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is configured to form a seal between the respiratory device and the nostril. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is attached to a compliant material extending around the opening. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more leak paths, the one or more leak paths allowing air to flow through the device even when air is restricted by the and airflow resistors. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more leak paths comprise at least one aperture or channel through the flap valve, the at least one aperture or channel being open even when the first flap valve is closed. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is oval. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter within the opening. 
     
     
         8 . A nasal respiratory device, the device comprising:
 a first opening;   a first airflow resistor extending across the first opening, the first airflow resistor comprising a first flap valve that inhibits exhalation through a first nostril more than inhalation through the first nostril;   a second opening;   a second airflow resistor extending across the second opening comprising a second flap valve that inhibits exhalation through a second nostril more than inhalation through the second nostril;   an adhesive surrounding the first opening and the second opening and configured to seal the first opening in communication with the first nostril and the second opening in communication with the second nostril when the device is worn.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more leak paths, the one or more leak paths allowing air to flow through the device even when air is restricted by the first and the second airflow resistors. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more leak paths comprise at least one aperture or channel through the first flap valve, the at least one aperture or channel being open even when the first flap valve is closed. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second openings are oval. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8  further comprising a therapeutic agent that is configured to come into contact with the subject's nostrils when the nasal respiratory device is worn.