Delivery of gases to the nasal airway

Abstract

A delivery device for and a method of delivering gases to the nasal airway, in particular therapeutic gases and gases in combination with active substances, either as powders or liquids, for enhanced uptake of the active substances.

What we claim are: 
     
         1 . A delivery device for providing a therapeutic gas to the nasal airway of a subject, the delivery device comprising:
 a nosepiece for fitting to one nostril of the subject;   a mouthpiece through which the subject in use exhales and which is fluidly connected to the nosepiece; and   a scrubber which is operative at least to reduce the concentration of at least one gas from an exhaled breath of the subject as delivered through the mouthpiece and provide a gas flow to the nosepiece which has an increased concentration of at least one other, therapeutic gas which provides a therapeutic effect.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the scrubber is operative to reduce the concentration of at least two gases from an exhaled breath of the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas comprises nitrogen. 
     
     
         4 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas comprises oxygen. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one other, therapeutic gas comprises oxygen. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas comprises carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one other, therapeutic gas comprises carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         8 . The delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the scrubber is operative to provide a gas flow which has a concentration of the at least one other, therapeutic gas of at least 10 vol %, optionally at least 15 vol %, optionally at least 20 vol %, optionally at least 30 vol %, optionally at least 40 vol %, and optionally at least 50 vol %.