Patent ID: 9333318
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: A61M

Claim Text:
1. A system for treating a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, the system comprising: a mask having a contact surface adapted/configured for forming a seal between the mask and the patient's face such that the mask is adapted/configured to surround at least the patient's nostrils; a portable air flow generator configured to generate air flow at a relatively low flow rate of less than or equal to about 60 L/min; a tube connecting the air flow generator and the mask; a one-way, variable resistance expiration valve coupled with the mask or the tube to allow exhaled air to exit the mask during exhalation, wherein the expiration valve provides less total resistance to expired air during a first half of an expiratory phase than during a second half of the expiratory phase while maintaining an elevated pressure above an ambient pressure; and an inspiration valve coupled to the mask or the tube to allow ambient air to enter the mask during inhalation; wherein the expiration valve closes at the end of exhalation and the inspiration valve opens at the start of inhalation to provide a rapid decrease in minimum pressure to within 2 cm H2O of the ambient pressure, wherein the rapid decrease occurs in less than about 1 second.