Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221470 | RESPIRATORY SENSOR ADAPTERS FOR NASAL DEVICES - Described herein are nasal respiratory devices including an attachment site for a sensors and sensor adapters for securing at least a portion of a sensor to a nasal respiratory device. Sensor adapters typically have a body frame having at least two regions: an attachment region for securing the sensor adapter to the nasal respiratory device; and a sensor connector region for securing a sensor across from an outlet of the nasal respiratory device. | 09-11-2008 |
20090188493 | NASAL DEVICES - Described herein are adhesive nasal devices. In particular, the adhesive nasal respiratory devices described herein are configured to be worn in communication with a subject's nasal cavity and may include a rim body having a passageway therethrough, an airflow resistor in communication with the passageway of the rim body, and a flexible, adhesive holdfast layer extending outward from the periphery of the rim body. The rim body region may be formed from multiple parts (e.g., a first and a second rim body region), and the airflow resistor may be secured between the parts forming the rim body. Methods of manufacturing and assembling these adhesive nasal devices are also described. | 07-30-2009 |
20090194109 | CPAP INTERFACE AND BACKUP DEVICES - Described herein are combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices to transmit positive air pressure from a PAP source to the user, but provide passive EPAP when the PAP source is disabled. These interface device may continue to provide benefit to the user even if the PAP source becomes disconnected or otherwise fails. The interface devices described herein include a passive EPAP airflow resistor configured to provide expiratory positive airway pressure (“EPAP”). These interface devices may also include quick connects and/or disconnects for releasably connecting to the source of pressurized breathable gas, a quick release for disconnecting from the source of pressurized breathable gas, and an adhesive user interface region that connects the device the user's face. Also described are adapter for converting a PAP interface devices into combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices, and methods of using these devices. | 08-06-2009 |
20090241965 | NASAL DEVICES WITH NOISE-REDUCTION AND METHODS OF USE - Described herein are nose-reduced nasal devices configured to reduce or eliminate the unwanted noises associated with use of a nasal device. These noise-reduced nasal devices include a flap-valve airflow resistor and a noise-reduction feature that is a noise-reduction element, a noise-reduction flap valve, or both. The noise-reduction feature typically prevents the flap valve from oscillating or vibrating and producing an audible sound during use, particularly during inhalation through the device. The method and devices described herein may prevent the flap, and particularly the edge region of the flap face or tip of the flap, from oscillating during inhalation. | 10-01-2009 |
20090308398 | ADJUSTABLE RESISTANCE NASAL DEVICES - Described herein are adjustable-resistance respiratory devices, and particularly nasal devices that have an adjustable expiratory resistance while providing a greater resistance to exhalation than to inhalation. The resistance to exhalation may be manually adjustable by a user or remotely adjustable by a third party. For example, described herein are nasal devices having a greater resistance to exhalation than inhalation that includes one or more resistance-modifying members for modifying the resistance of a nasal device. A resistance modifying member may include a cover, a shutter or an adjustable valve for opening/closing a leak pathway through the nasal device. An adjustable-resistance nasal respiratory device may include a control or controls for adjusting the resistance to exhalation. Methods of adjusting the resistance of a nasal device, and systems including nasal devices allowing the resistance to be optimized and/or adjusted are also described. | 12-17-2009 |
20110108041 | NASAL DEVICES HAVING A SAFE FAILURE MODE AND REMOTELY ACTIVATABLE - Described herein are devices, methods and systems that regulate the failure of a nasal device by including a pre-determined failure mode, thereby minimizing the risk. Also described herein are nasal respiratory devices that may be remotely activated or inactivated to turn on and off an increased resistance to exhalation compared to inhalation. | 05-12-2011 |
20110218451 | NASAL DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Described herein are passive nasal device having a resistance to exhalation that is greater than the resistance to inhalation. Also described are devices, methods and systems for sensing and measuring intranasal pressure when a subject is wearing a passive nasal respiratory device that is configured to inhibit exhalation more than inhalation. Also described are adapters for nasal devices and methods of using a nasal device adapter. Adapters may be used so that a passive nasal device may be applied indirectly in communication with a subject's nose; in some variations this may allow the passive nasal device to be re-used. Also described herein are nasal devices having a billowing airflow resistor that is configured to have a greater resistance to exhalation than to inhalation. The billowing airflow resistor typically includes a first layer that is adjacent to a second layer; the first layer is flexible and billows opens during inhalation so that the first layer remains separated from the second layer, but remains substantially parallel to the second layer. During exhalation, the first layer collapses back down against the second layer. Additional passive nasal devices, systems and methods of using them are also described. | 09-08-2011 |
20110240038 | NASAL DEVICES - Described herein are adhesive nasal devices. In particular, the adhesive nasal respiratory devices described herein are configured to be worn in communication with a subject's nasal cavity and may include a rim body having a passageway therethrough, an airflow resistor in communication with the passageway of the rim body, and a flexible, adhesive holdfast layer extending outward from the periphery of the rim body. The rim body region may be formed from multiple parts (e.g., a first and a second rim body region), and the airflow resistor may be secured between the parts forming the rim body. Methods of manufacturing and assembling these adhesive nasal devices are also described. | 10-06-2011 |
20110290256 | LAYERED NASAL RESPIRATORY DEVICES - Described herein are nasal devices, including nasal devices formed in layers having four or fewer layers. In some variations, the nasal devices include a single integrated layer from which the flap of the airflow resistor is formed as well as the base of the holdfast region. The nasal devices may include a single aligner or rim body on the side of the device facing the subject. The aligner may protect the airflow resistor, and may help center or position the nasal device. In some variations, these nasal devices may include a noise-reduction feature. Also described herein are systems, devices and methods for determining if a passive nasal respiratory device having an airflow resistor configured to inhibit exhalation more than inhalation has been worn by a subject, and thereby confirming compliance. | 12-01-2011 |
20120285470 | NASAL DEVICES WITH NOISE-REDUCTION AND METHODS OF USE - Described herein are nose-reduced nasal devices configured to reduce or eliminate the unwanted noises associated with use of a nasal device. These noise-reduced nasal devices include a flap-valve airflow resistor and a noise-reduction feature that is a noise-reduction element, a noise-reduction flap valve, or both. The noise-reduction feature typically prevents the flap valve from oscillating or vibrating and producing an audible sound during use, particularly during inhalation through the device. The method and devices described herein may prevent the flap, and particularly the edge region of the flap face or tip of the flap, from oscillating during inhalation. | 11-15-2012 |
20140109907 | CPAP INTERFACE AND BACKUP DEVICES - Described herein are combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices to transmit positive air pressure from a PAP source to the user, but provide passive EPAP when the PAP source is disabled. These interface device may continue to provide benefit to the user even if the PAP source becomes disconnected or otherwise fails. The interface devices described herein include a passive EPAP airflow resistor configured to provide expiratory positive airway pressure (“EPAP”). These interface devices may also include quick connects and/or disconnects for releasably connecting to the source of pressurized breathable gas, a quick release for disconnecting from the source of pressurized breathable gas, and an adhesive user interface region that connects the device the user's face. Also described are adapter for converting a PAP interface devices into combined active PAP/passive EPAP interface devices, and methods of using these devices. | 04-24-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120097739 | METHODS OF TRANSMITTING INFORMATION TO MOBILE DEVICES USING COST EFFECTIVE CARD READERS - A method of transmitting information to a mobile device includes providing a card reader is provided with a read head, a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card and device electronics that includes an analog front-end and a microcontroller. The analog to digital front end is coupled to a processing element in the microcontroller. A raw magnetic head signal is received at the analog to digital front end. The raw magnetic head signal is converted into a processed digital signal that the microcontroller can interpret. An output jack output jack signal is delivered to the mobile device. | 04-26-2012 |
20120118959 | SMALL CARD READER CONFIGURED TO BE COUPLED TO A MOBILE DEVICE - A small card reader has a read head with a slot and positioned in a housing. The read head is configured to be coupled to a mobile device. The read head reads data on the magnetic stripe from a card that is slid in the slot and produces an output jack signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. An output jack is adapted to be inserted in a port of the mobile device and deliver the output jack signal to the mobile device. The read head positioned to accommodate rocking of a card while being swept in the slot while producing a successful read of the magnetic stripe of the card. The rocking is in an amount of 1 to 10 degrees of rotation of a bottom surface of the card away from a bottom surface of the slot. | 05-17-2012 |
20120118960 | METHOD OF TRANSMITTING INFORMATION FROM A SMALL CARD READER TO A MOBILE DEVICE - A method of transmitting information to a mobile device converts a raw magnetic head signal into a processed digital signal that the microcontroller can interpret. Rocking of a card that is swept in a slot of the card reader is accommodated while producing a successful read of the magnetic stripe of the card. The rocking is in an amount of 1 to 10 degrees of rotation of a bottom surface of the card away from a bottom surface of the slot. An output jack signal is sent to the mobile device. | 05-17-2012 |
20120126010 | COST EFFECTIVE CARD READER CONFIGURED TO BE COUPLED TO A MOBILE DEVICE - A has a read head configured to be coupled to a mobile device. The read head has a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card. The read head reads data on the magnetic stripe and produces a raw magnetic signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. Device electronics are provided with an analog front-end and a microcontroller. The analog to digital front end is coupled to a processing element in the microcontroller. The analog to digital front end receives a raw magnetic head signal and converts it into a processed digital signal that the microcontroller can interpret. The microcontroller produces a signal. An output jack is adapted to be inserted in a port of the mobile device and deliver an output jack signal to the mobile device. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126014 | CARD READER WITH OFFSET READ HEAD - A reader is provided that has a housing with a center point and a read head positioned in the housing. The read head is configured to be coupled to a mobile device. The read head has a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card. The read head reads data on the magnetic stripe and produces a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. The read head is positioned to be offset from the center point of the housing. An output jack is adapted to be inserted in a port of the mobile device and deliver an output jack signal to the mobile device. | 05-24-2012 |
20120132712 | CARD READER WITH POWER EFFICIENT ARCHITECTURE THAT INCLUDES A WAKE-UP CIRCUIT - A card reader is provided with a read head with a slot and is configured to be coupled to a mobile device and has a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card. The read head reads data on the magnetic stripe and produces a raw magnetic signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. A power supply is coupled to wake-up electronics and a microcontroller. An output jack is adapted to be inserted in a port of the mobile device and deliver an output jack signal to the mobile device. The wake-up electronics is powered by a microphone bias of a mobile device. | 05-31-2012 |
20120138683 | METHOD OF TRANSMITTING INFORMATION FROM A CARD READER WITH AN ASYMMETRIC SPRING TO A MOBILE DEVICE - A method of transmitting information to a mobile device uses a card reader that has an asymmetric spring. The card reader includes a housing with length, height and width dimensions, a read head with a slot, a microcontroller, an output jack and the asymmetric spring coupled to the read head. The asymmetrical spring positions the read head to be offset in the housing, with the housing length and height edges being non-symmetrical in respect to the length and height edges of the read head. A card is slid in the slot. Data is read from the magnetic stripe; A raw magnetic signal is produced indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. The raw magnetic head signal is converted into a processed digital signal that the microcontroller can interpret. An output jack signal is sent to the mobile device. | 06-07-2012 |
20120168505 | CARD READER WITH ASYMMETRIC SPRING - A card reader is positioned in a housing that has length, height and width dimensions. The read head is configured to be coupled to a mobile device and has a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a card. The read head reads data on the magnetic stripe and produces a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. The read head has length, height and width edge surfaces. An asymmetric spring is coupled to the read head. The asymmetric spring positions the read head to be offset in the housing with the housing length and height edges being non-symmetrical in respect to the length and height edges of the read head. An output jack is adapted to be inserted in a port of the mobile device and deliver an output jack signal to the mobile device. | 07-05-2012 |