Pulmonary system resistance training apparatus and methods

Abstract

A respiratory exerciser having a hollow body, where the hollow portion is in communication with a porous or non-porous material and with an opening that provides access for a user to breathe through the device.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A pulmonary exercise device comprising:
 a rigid body formed at least partially from porous material and having an interior space; and,   a mouthpiece communicating with said interior space, wherein ambient air external to the rigid body can pass through the porous material into the interior space and then communicate with the mouthpiece during an inhalation event without flowing through a valve.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the porous material comprises porous plastic having a porosity of between about 5 microns and about 500 microns. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein at least a portion of the porous plastic has a thickness of between 0.1 to 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the rigid body is removably connected to a second rigid body. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising a one way valve in communication with said interior space. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the porosity and wall thickness are sufficient to create a resistance of 10 to 25 inches of water during a user's inhalation at a rate of 1 liter of air per second. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the porosity and wall thickness are sufficient to create a resistance of greater than 26 inches of water during a user's inhalation at a rate of 1 liter of air per second. 
     
     
         28 . A method of increasing pulmonary strength comprising;
 obtaining a porous plastic pulmonary exerciser comprising (a) a rigid body having an interior passageway, (b) a mouthpiece communicating with the interior passageway, and (c) at least one porous plastic portion;   inhaling through the mouthpiece such that the inhalation urges a portion of air through the porous plastic portion, thereby increasing inhalation effort, wherein ambient air and the mouthpiece are in communication through the porous plastic member.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein at least a portion of the porous plastic has a porosity of between about 5 microns and about 500 microns. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein at least a portion of the porous plastic has a thickness of between about 0.1 to 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the exerciser further comprises a one way valve cooperative with the rigid body such that upon exhalation at least a portion of the exhaled air bypasses the porous plastic portion and exits the exerciser through the valve to thereby minimize an increase in exhalation effort. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the user traverses at least 100 yards while using the device hands free. 
     
     
         33 . A pulmonary exercise device comprising:
 a rigid body formed at least partially from porous plastic and having an interior space; and,   a mouthpiece communicating with said interior space, wherein air inhaled by a user during an inhalation event can communicate with ambient air external to the rigid body by traversing through the porous plastic and without communicating through a valve, wherein the user experiences a resistance during the inhalation event.   
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , further comprising a one way valve cooperative with the rigid body wherein upon exhalation, at least a portion of the exhaled air bypasses the porous plastic portion and exits the pulmonary exercise device through the valve to thereby minimize an increase in exhalation effort. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the rigid body has a weight of less than 5 ounces. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 33 , further comprising a cassette having a weight between 0.1 and 1 ounce. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the center of gravity of the device is located proximal to a user's teeth. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 33 , further comprising a dead space introducing member. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 33 , further comprising a cassette in fluid communication with the rigid body and a one way valve in fluid communication with the rigid body wherein upon exhalation, at least a portion of the exhaled exits the exerciser through the valve to thereby minimize an increase in exhalation effort. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 33 , further comprising an adjustable one-way valve having a cracking pressure of less than 0.3 psi in fluid communication with the rigid body. 
     
     
         41 . A pulmonary exercise device comprising: a device body and a rigid cassette formed at least partially from porous plastic having a porosity between 5 microns and 250 microns and a wall thickness of between 0.05 inches and 0.5 inches, wherein the rigid device body is adapted to removably receive: (a) a mouthpiece; and, (b) at least one other component selected from: (1) a valve having a cracking pressure of less than 1 psi, (2) a cassette having an aperture, (3) a cassette having a valve with an adjustable cracking pressure, and (4) a dead space introducing member.