Patent ID: 7861710

Claim:
A handheld breathing assistance device to reduce respiratory muscle fatigue in a user with obstructive lung disease, the device comprising: a deformable reservoir adaptable for containing pressurized breathing gas, at least a portion of the deformable reservoir being constructed and arranged to change shape to vary the volume of the pressurized breathing gas contained within the deformable reservoir; a breathing interface for delivering pressurized breathing gas from said deformable reservoir to the airway of the user, the breathing interface being adaptable for fluid communication with the airway of the user, the breathing interface being further adaptable for fluid communication with the deformable reservoir; at least one pressure relief valve to control the pressure of the gas contained in the deformable reservoir, the at least one pressure relief valve having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being adaptable to be in fluid communication with the deformable reservoir, the outlet being adaptable to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere.