Passive nasal peep devices

Abstract

Described herein are passive nasal respiratory devices, in particular, passive nasal respiratory devices configured to achieve positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in a subject wearing the device. PEEP devices may have a threshold pressure for opening during expiration. These devices may include a flap valve that opens on inhalation nested with a spring valve that opens when exhalation pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold. The device may be configured to be comfortably worn by a sleeping subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nasal respiratory device for inducing positive end-expiratory pressure that is configured to be worn in communication with a subject's nose, the device comprising:
 an inspiratory valve including a flap configured to open during inhalation through the device; and   an expiratory valve configured to open during exhalation through the device, the expiratory valve arranged such that the inspiratory valve component is nested in the expiratory valve, the expiratory valve including a biasing element preventing opening of the expiratory valve when a pressure across the expiratory valve is below a threshold pressure,   wherein the device is configured to be worn one or both of a subject's nostrils without covering the subject's mouth.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the expiratory valve includes a piston configured to be displaced by expiratory pressure above the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the device includes a body, a piston and a biasing element, wherein the piston is positioned between at least a portion of the cap and the body. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the piston includes a hole configured to contain the biasing element. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the biasing element includes a spring. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold pressure is between about 1 cm water and about 20 cm water. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a holdfast configured to secure the device to the subject's nose. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the holdfast includes an adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the device includes a hydrophobic surface. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inspiratory valve includes multiple flaps. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be worn in communication with one of the subject's nostrils. 
     
     
         12 . A positive end-expiratory pressure device configured to be worn by a subject during sleep, the device comprising:
 a cone-shaped body having an opening;   an inspiratory valve in communication with the opening and including a flap configured to open during inhalation through the device;   an expiratory valve configured to open during exhalation through the device, the expiratory valve biased to prevent opening of the expiratory valve when a pressure across the expiratory valve is below a threshold pressure; and   a holdfast configured to adhesively secure the device to the subject's nose such that the cone-shaped body is at least slightly within the subject's nostril.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the inspiratory valve component is nested in the expiratory valve. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the inspiratory valve includes multiple flaps. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the expiratory valve includes a piston configured to be displaced by expiratory pressure above the threshold pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the piston includes a hole configured to contain a spring. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the expiratory valve includes a cap having a spring post that holds the spring within the hole to provide a preloaded resistance. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the piston includes the flap of the inspiratory valve. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the piston is displaced within at least a portion of the cone-shaped body. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the holdfast includes a compliant material with an adhesive.