DEVICES SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREVENTING COLLAPSE OF THE UPPER AIRWAY AND SENSORS FOR USE THEREIN

摘要

Devices, systems and methods for preventing collapse of the upper airway are disclosed. The device (20) includes a mouthpiece (22) and a breathing tube (24) containing a bi-directional pressure sensitive valve (32) and a mechanism (34,100) for transforming kinetic energy of air flowing in a first direction to potential energy and transforming the potential energy to Kinetic energy of air flowing in a second direction. The mechanism can either be an inflatable body (34) or a turbine (100). The inflatable body functions to adjust an internal cross sectional area of the breathing tube during a process of respiration, and to regulate air pressure during respiration. The device includes a mask (38) designed and constructed to cover the nose of the patient and route exhaled air to the nose, and a sensor (80). The method includes the steps of inserting a mouthpiece and allowing inhaled air to flow through a breathing tube. One system includes a self contained CPAP device (20) which manintains sufficient pressure in an upper airway while functioning independently of an external pressure source.