Positive expiratory pressure device

Abstract

A positive exhalation pressure device increases the pressure gradient in the airways, thereby increasing oxygen saturation levels and decreasing the severity of hypoxia. Various embodiments of the device may be inserted into the nasal and/or oral cavities, or configured as mask devices covering the nasal and/or oral cavities. In some embodiments, the resistance of the device may be varied.

1 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A positive expiratory pressure device comprising:
 a mask comprising a body shaped to cover the user's mouth and nose, an inhalation port communicating with a cavity defined by the body, wherein the inhalation port comprises a reconfigurable inhalation valve, and an exhalation port communicating with the cavity and sized to produce an exhalation pressure;   a sensor configured to measure an oxygen saturation level of a user; and   a control unit configured to compare the oxygen saturation level with a threshold value and reconfigure the inhalation valve and/or communicate an alert to a user interface if the oxygen saturation level falls below the threshold value.   
     
     
         65 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 64  wherein the threshold value comprises a decrease of 4.9% or greater in the oxygen saturation level within a 30 minute time period. 
     
     
         66 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 65  wherein the alert comprises a risk of acute mountain sickness. 
     
     
         67 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 64  wherein the threshold value comprises a decrease of 4.9% or greater in the oxygen saturation level as compared to an average oxygen saturation level at altitude. 
     
     
         68 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 65  wherein the alert comprises a risk of acute mountain sickness. 
     
     
         69 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 64  wherein the threshold value comprises a decrease of 10-20% or greater in the oxygen saturation level as compared to an average oxygen saturation level at altitude. 
     
     
         70 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 69  wherein the alert comprises a risk of high-altitude pulmonary edema. 
     
     
         71 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 64  wherein the reconfigurable inhalation valve is an electronically actuated valve. 
     
     
         72 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 64  further comprising an electronic module mounted on the mask, wherein the electronic module comprises the control unit. 
     
     
         73 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 72  wherein the electronic module further comprises the sensor. 
     
     
         74 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 73  wherein the electronic module further comprises the reconfigurable inhalation valve. 
     
     
         75 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 64  wherein the sensor is configured to be in contact with the user's skin. 
     
     
         76 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 64  wherein the exhalation pressure between 1-15 cmH2O. 
     
     
         77 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 64  wherein the threshold value comprises a first threshold value and the alert comprises a first alert, and wherein the control unit is further configured to reconfigure the inhalation valve and/or communicate a second alert to the user interface if the oxygen saturation level exceeds a second threshold value. 
     
     
         78 . A positive expiratory pressure device comprising:
 a mask comprising a body shaped to cover the user's mouth and nose, an inhalation port communicating with a cavity defined by the body, wherein the inhalation port comprises an inhalation valve, and an exhalation port communicating with the cavity and sized to produce an exhalation pressure;   a sensor configured to measure an oxygen saturation level of a user; and   a control unit configured to compare the oxygen saturation level with a threshold value and communicate an alert to a user interface if the oxygen saturation level falls below the threshold value, wherein the alert comprises a risk of acute mountain sickness or a risk of high-altitude pulmonary edema.   
     
     
         79 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 78  wherein the threshold value comprises a decrease of 4.9% or greater in the oxygen saturation level within a 30 minute time period and the alert comprises the risk of acute mountain sickness. 
     
     
         80 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 78  wherein the threshold value comprises a decrease of 4.9% or greater in the oxygen saturation level as compared to an average oxygen saturation level at altitude and the alert comprises the risk of acute mountain sickness. 
     
     
         81 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 78  wherein the threshold value comprises a decrease of 10-20% or greater in the oxygen saturation level as compared to an average oxygen saturation level at altitude and the alert comprises the risk of high-altitude pulmonary edema. 
     
     
         82 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 78  wherein the inhalation valve is an electronically actuated valve. 
     
     
         83 . The positive expiratory pressure device of  claim 78  further comprising an electronic module mounted on the mask, wherein the electronic module comprises the control unit and the sensor.