Apparatus for stimulating the trigeminal nerve

摘要

An apparatus for relieving breathlessness or dyspnoea comprises a support 5 worn on the head and having means to stimulate a users trigeminal nerve in the region of the cheek on the face by means of a steady or pulsed flow of gas directed to cause slight pressure and a cooling effect, or by means of direct contact with a cooling device or by electrical stimulation with electrodes. A source 1 of forced air from a fan 13 or a compressed gas cylinder may be directed via a flexible conduit 4 and a bore through an arm of a frame 5 similar to spectacles supported on the nose and ears to an outlet 50 located above the user's cheek so that a jet of air is directed downwardly onto the region of the trigeminal nerve TN. The frame 5 could also support a nasal cannula NV. A patient monitor such as a pulse oximeter PO and breathing monitor may control the air supply.