MX2008006683A - Acoustic respiratory therapy apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An active respiratory therapeutic device for clearing breathing passages, loosening and breaking up mucus plugs and phlegm in a patient's sinuses, trachea, bronchial passages and lungs while a patient is breathing normally through the device is disclosed. The apparatus preferably includes a C shaped curved hollow housing having a closed end portion and an open threaded end portion. The open end portion forms at least part of an acoustic coupling chamber. A generally funnel shaped tapered mouthpiece tapers to a small end portion sized to be inserted into a patient's mouth. The mouthpiece forms another part of the acoustic coupling chamber. An acoustic signal generator housed within the hollow housing generates and directs acoustic vibrations into and through the coupling chamber. The mouthpiece preferably includes a valve permitting a patient breathing through the mouthpiece to inhale through a valve opening and exhale through a bypass passage around the valve while at the same time coupling the acoustic coupling chamber into the patient's airways.

Description

ACOUSTIC RESPIRATORY THERAPY APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This description generally relates to respiratory devices and more particularly to a vibration device and a method that helps to dissolve and dislodge accumulated fluids and solids generated or residing in the lungs of a patient, respiratory tract or paranasal sinuses, and / or helps open airways and narrow sinus tract.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Human patients and other animal patients who have lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, acute and chronic asthma, pneumonia, sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis, among others, have problems dissolving, dislodging, and expelling mucus. , phlegm and other secretions and contagious materials that develop and / or reside in the lungs, paranasal sinuses and airways. The presence of this material in the lungs, bronchial and tracheal pathways, and paranasal sinuses provides an excellent means for the growth of bacteria. For the treatment of the condition, the rotation of antibiotics is commonly used to treat infections from resulting bacteria. Commonly used postural drainage with vibration produced, percussion therapy and / or a mechanical device, such as a flap valve, to help the patient to dislodge this mucus material. In the same way, humans and animals with constrictive airway diseases such as asthma and sinusitis have difficulty opening the airways and passing the sinuses. In U.S. Patent Nos. 6,058,932, 6,167,881, 5,893,361, and 5,829,429, various active acoustic respiratory therapy devices are described. Each of these devices creates a series of acoustic vibrations, for example, audible tones in various magnitudes and frequencies, which are directed through a patient's mouth and airways directly into the lungs, rather than through the Permeated tissue of the chest wall of the patient as has been a standard so far in the therapeutic practice of percussion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An acoustic respiratory therapy device in accordance with the present disclosure includes a number of novel improvements. One embodiment includes a long curved hollow housing having a closed end portion that can be optionally vented to the atmosphere and an open end portion, the open end portion forming at least one part of acoustic coupling chamber, a nozzle that it has one end adapted to fit within an open end portion of the housing, and another end having the shape to provide for the expulsion of acoustic energy generated by the device for the particular patient, whether the patient is human or another animal. In other embodiments, the closed end portion may be vented to the atmosphere, and the nozzle may have one end adapted to fit in the open end portion of the housing and the other end designed in any number of rigid or flexible shapes to provide the expulsion of the acoustic energy generated by the device to the patient. The particular shape of the other end portion of the nozzle is determined by the anatomy of the patient involved in particular, preferably if it is a human or an animal. For example, for humans, the other end can be tapering to an oval end that the patient can comfortably hold in his mouth. Alternatively, for example, in the case of large domestic animals, the other end of the mouthpiece may be shaped to fit in the nasal passages of a patient or other site of expulsion.

The nozzle forms another part of the acoustic coupling chamber. In some embodiments the nozzle may include an operable valve to allow a patient to breathe through the nozzle to inhale through a valve opening and exhale through a bypass valve passage around the valve while the chamber is engaged acoustic coupling inside the mouth, nasal route, or other site of expulsion of the patient. In other modalities, however, the valve may not be necessary. An acoustic signal generator is housed within the hollow housing having an acoustic transducer which directs acoustic energy into and through the coupling chamber in the airways of a patient when the nozzle engages within the patient's airways. The valve in the device is preferably removable and has a prolonged housing body having one or more passages extending from an open end of the housing to an outlet opening and to a valve opening spaced from the outlet opening. A flexible valve disk is placed in the valve opening which is operable to allow passage of a gas such as air through the valve opening in a first direction and blocks the passage of the gas through the valve opening in a second address. The valve allows the passage of gas in the second direction through the restrictive openings to generate a return pressure during exhalation. As stated otherwise, an exemplary embodiment is an apparatus for aiding a patient to open narrow air passages and / or to loosen phlegm, mucus and other secretions and potentially contagious materials collected in the nasal passages, lungs, bronchial passages and / or tracheal of a patient, having a long curved hollow housing having a closed end portion and an open threaded end portion, the open end portion forms at least part of an acoustic coupling chamber. The closed end portion may optionally be open to the atmosphere. A generally tapered, funnel shaped nozzle having a broad end that is adapted to fit into the open end portion of the housing. The mouthpiece tapered to a smaller end portion tailored to be inserted into a patient's mouth. The nozzle forms another part of the acoustic coupling chamber. The housing encloses a programmable acoustic signal generator preferably housed within a network portion of the housing between the closed end portion and the open end portion.

The hollow housing has an acoustic transducer in the open end portion that directs acoustic energy, typically in the form of acoustic vibrations, eg, pressure pulses, into and through the coupling chamber within the patient's airways when the Nozzle is held in the mouth, nose, or other site of expulsion of the patient. The acoustic signal generator may include a microprocessor in a printed circuit board installed in the network portion of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the network portion of the housing has a plurality of openings therethrough aligned with contact pads on the internal printed circuit board to connect a programmable computer to the appliances, for example, the microprocessor in the generator of signal in order that the generator can be programmed with predetermined acoustic profiles for optimal operation of the devices for a particular patient. One embodiment of the apparatus preferably has a removable valve in the nozzle having an extended valve housing body having one or more passages extending from an open end of the valve housing to an outlet opening and to a spaced valve opening. of the exit opening.

A flexible valve disk is placed in the valve opening which functions to allow the passage of a gas such as air through the valve opening in a first direction and blocks the passage of the gas through the valve opening in the valve opening. a second address. The valve allows the passage of gas in the second direction through the restrictive openings to generate a return pressure during exhalation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The features and objects mentioned above in the present description will be more apparent with reference to the following description taken together with the accompanying figures in which like reference numbers mean like elements and which: Figure 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a left side view of the embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end view of the patient of the embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure shown in the figures. 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a partial right side view as in Figure 1 of the nozzle portion of the apparatus showing the flow of air during inhalation. Figure 5 is a partial right side view which as in Figure 4 shows the flow of air during exhalation. Figure 6 is a side view as in Figure 1 with separate parts to show the internal structures of the acoustic chamber and the nozzle in section. Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a system for programming the apparatus shown in Figure 1 without disassembly of the apparatus. Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Figure 9 is a side view mounted of a nozzle in accordance with another embodiment for use in certain applications adapted to be coupled to the housing shown in Figure 8. Fig. 10 is a side perspective view separated in parts of the nozzle shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a separate interior view of the perspective of a top damping section of the nozzle shown in Fig. 9.

Figure 12 is a separate inside view of the perspective of a lower damping section of the nozzle shown in Figure 9. Figure 13 is a separate perspective view of the nose section of the nozzle shown in Figure 9. Figure 14 is a separate perspective view of the nose section of the nozzle shown in Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A modality of an acoustic respiratory therapy apparatus 100 is shown in side views in FIGS., 2, and 6 and in a patient end view in Figure 3. The apparatus 100 has an elongated curved hollow housing 102 having a substantially closed end portion 104 and an open end portion 106. This open end portion 106 is preferably threaded. The housing 102 encloses an acoustic generator 108 and the open end portion 106 forms part of an acoustic coupling chamber 110. A generally tapered nozzle 112 in the shape of a funnel forms the other part of the acoustic coupling chamber 110. The nozzle 112 preferably has a wide threaded end 114 which is adapted to fit in the threaded open end portion 106 of the housing 102. The nozzle 112 preferably tapered to a smaller end portion 116 tailored so that it fits comfortably and is held in place. the mouth of a patient. For other animal patients, the mouthpiece may have a different shape compatible with the particular physiology of the patient. The nozzle 112 preferably includes a valve 118 operable to allow a patient to breathe through the nozzle 112 to inhale through a valve opening 120 and exhale through one or more bypass passages 122 around the valve 118 while engaging the acoustic coupling chamber 110 through the patient's mouth within the patient's airways. This nozzle 112 may have a shape different from that shown in Figures 1-8 for different applications. For example, for use with animals or infants, the mouthpiece 112 may be shaped to cover both the patient's nose and mouth, or only through the patient's nose. As used in this specification, a patient's airways include all of the passages in and out of the patient's lungs including mouth, nose, trachea, bronchial tubes and lung alveoli. The nozzle 112 shown in Figs. 1-6 and 8 is preferably formed generally of a rigid plastic material such as a polypropylene copolymer but alternatively it can be formed from other materials to suit the application. For example, the end portion 116 can be formed of a softer material attached to the broad end 114. The junction between the nozzle 112 and the housing 102 is shown in the figures preferably as a threaded connection as shown in Figs. 6 and 8. The threaded connection may include internal threads on the open end housing 106 and external internal threads on the nozzle 112. Alternatively other appropriate connections may be used. For example, a bayonet-type secure arrangement such as is commonly used in cameras for attaching a lens to a camera body can be used. In the embodiment 100 shown in the figures, the housing 102 is a curved hollow plastic "C" shaped injection molded body having a curved rear portion 124 between the closed end portion 104 and the open end portion 106. The housing 102 is preferably made of a plastic injection molding material, but alternatively it can be formed of other materials and use other processes. The closed end portion 104 can alternatively be vented to the atmosphere to dissipate the heat generated during charging and discharging of the battery 142. The housing 102 preferably has a hollow network portion 126 that expands between the end portions 104 and 106. This network portion 126 preferably houses portions of the acoustic generator 108, specifically a microprocessor 128 mounted on a control circuit board 130 therein to selectively control the volume, frequency, pulse and repetition rate of the generated acoustic vibrations. by the acoustic generator 108. A prolonged slidable switch 132 is mounted to the rear 124 of the housing 102. This slide switch 132 can be moved up and down along the curved rear portion 124 and can be used to change the tone or frequency of generated acoustic vibrations The slide switch can be used for to control other functions of the device or have no control function at all, depending on the desired use in the patient. Alternatively, other arrangements and configurations of the slide switch 132 are provided. During the test it was discovered that the placement of the switch 132 along the rear 124 is a convenient and convenient location for a human patient.

The network portion 126, as shown in Figure 2, has a pair of control buttons in operation 134 and 136, and a series of indicators 138 and 140. The control button 134 is used to turn on and off the circuits of control of the apparatus 100. The control button 136 is multi-functional. It should be understood that the particular functions of the individual control buttons 134 and 136 are simply exemplary and therefore, the particular function assigned may be different from that described in the present invention. In the particular embodiment of the apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1-8, the button 136 is preferably used to select a desired mode of operation, select a frequency mode, select desired repetition rate and select the desired volume. This button 136 can also be defined to provide additional functional modes programmed in the microprocessor 128 described above. The respective volume, respective frequency, and the battery charge level are indicated selectively by the series of indicators 140. The mode of operation is indicated by the series of indicators 138. As previously mentioned, the analog setting of the frequency is preferably controlled by the slide switch 132. However, it may be that, alternatively, none of the control buttons and / or side switch is provided with such functionality. The acoustic generator 108 comprises a power supply, a programmable microprocessor 128, sound amplifier circuitry and controls on the circuit board 130, and an acoustic transducer 144. The power supply is preferably a rechargeable battery 142 such as a power pack. lithium ion battery or metal nickel hydride that can be recharged through an appropriate charger connector 143 (figure 3). Although not shown, the section 104 may have spaced openings or vents to provide some cooling air circulation during recharging of the battery pack as well as heat dissipation during use of the apparatus 100. In the embodiment 100 illustrated, the Transducer 144 is an audio horn. This transducer 144 has a magnet 146 around a moving voice coil (not shown) coupled to a flexible audio cone 148. The forward and backward movement of the voice coil produces acoustic vibrations at the front of the cone 148 which are directed through the coupling chamber 110 into the airways of a patient. The audio cone 148 forms part of the boundary of the coupling chamber 110. A plurality of ventilation slit openings 150 in the housing 102 behind the transducer 144 facilitates the convective removal of heat generated by the acoustic generator 108 during operation and the heat generated by the battery 142 during recharging operations. The acoustic transducer 144 is captured in the housing 102 by retention flanges 147 and abuts an annular projection 149 in the housing 102 adjacent to the open end portion 106. Behind the retention flanges 147 is a wall 151 which prevents it from transmits the sound within the end portion 104 of the housing and outwardly through the ventilation openings 150. The wall 151 therefore divides the housing 102 and physically separates the acoustic transducer 144 from the acoustic generator 108 into the housing 102. In the embodiment 100 shown in Figures 1-8, the right side of the network portion 126 of the housing 102 has a unique series of pin holes 152 aligned therethrough. These pin holes 152 are placed directly adjacent to an underlying set of contact pads 154 on the circuit board 130. Referring now to Figure 7, a system 200 for programming the apparatus 100 is schematically shown. The system 200 includes a personal computer 202, probe connector 204 connected to a port on the computer 202. The connector 204 has a series of parallel spaced connection pins 206. The probe connector 204 is positioned so that the pins 206 pass through the holes 152 in the network portion 126 of the housing 102 to contact the pads 154. The personal computer 202 can then be used to provide instructions to the microprocessor 128. to provide, for example, control parameters for a predetermined series of acoustic waveforms that will be generated by the transducer in an automated mode of operation of the acoustic generator 108. This configuration of the housing 102 with the series of holes aligned in the network portion 126 it only allows external operation and programming of the acoustic generator 108 without having to disassemble the apparatus 100. Therefore, a respiratory therapist or a physician can program the apparatus 100 to send a custom or predetermined sequence of acoustic pulses / vibrations to the user that optimally dislodges and loosens phlegm in the patient's lungs and airways. The apparatus 100 may alternatively be equipped with a Bluetooth, infrared, or other transceiver or wireless receiver coupled with or integrated to the circuit board 130 which is coupled to the microprocessor 128 so that the acoustic generator 108 can be remotely programmed without the need for interconnection with the computer 202 through the pin holes 152. Such as a wireless connection with the microprocessor 128 may facilitate the automatic control of the pulse rate, volume, frequency and / or mode of operation of the apparatus 100 in response to the pro-feeding or feedback of an external wireless transducer 129 before, during or after the operation of the apparatus 100. The wireless transducer 129 can be an electronic stethoscope, blood oximeter, or other such observational devices of the patient's breathing performance during the operation of the apparatus 100. To protect the acoustic generator components 108 of contamination by fluids and particles of matter transmitted by the patient inside the coupling chamber 110, a disposable diaphragm 160 is sandwiched between the nozzle 112 and the housing 102. This diaphragm 160 encompasses the coupling chamber 110 , provides a barrier to such a subject, and allows the free transmission therethrough of the acoustic vibrations produced by the acoustic transducer 144. The diaphragm 160 has a flexible and deformable annular elastic edge 162 and a 164 of elastic plastic sheet 164 acoustically of transmission that extends over and along, and holds the edge 162.

This sheet 164 is preferably a thin polyethylene film that is thermally staked to the edge 162. The edge 162 of the diaphragm 160 preferably has a peripheral annular groove 166 that fits over a complementary annular ridge 168 formed at the wide end 114 of the nozzle 112. The open end portion housing 106 102 has a flat annular flange 170. This flat flange 170 pressed against the edge 162 of the diaphragm 160 when the housing 102 is attached to the nozzle 112 with the diaphragm 160 interleaved with each other as shown in FIG. the partial sectional view of Figure 6. In alternative embodiments of the apparatus 100, the disposable diaphragm 160 can be permanently enclosed within the nozzle 112. In such an alternative, the entire nozzle 112 will preferably be disposable. The preferably threaded connection between the housing 102 and the nozzle 112 contains two acoustic barriers for the external transmission of the acoustic vibrations produced by the generator 108. A first barrier is formed by the diaphragm edge 162 which is sandwiched between the flange 170 and the crest 168. This first barrier permeates sounds passing between the threaded end 114 and the threads 190 at the open end 116. Second, the open end 106 has an annular board 192 spaced from the threads 190 which fits into a corresponding annular groove 194 around the open end 114 of the nozzle 112 which prevents the permeate sound from escaping from the joint. Providing these two separate barriers allows the apparatus 100 to be used by a patient in close proximity to viewers without affecting activities such as watching television or conducting conversations with relatively normal speech. The valve 118 is preferably a removable insert 176 that slidably fits in a slot 180 formed in the nozzle 112. The valve member 176 preferably is an injection molding body having a series of passages 178 which is guided from the open end 116 of the nozzle 112 in a lower part of the valve opening 120 and to the deflection openings 122. The valve opening 120 is closed by a flexible plastic or rubber valve disk. As best shown in Figure 4, as a patient inhales through the apparatus 100, fresh air is brought through the valve 118 through the openings 122 and the valve opening 120 passes the valve disc 184, through of the passages 178 as shown by the directional flow arrows 186, and outside the nozzle 116 within the patient's airways. During exhalation, air circulates in the direction shown in figure 5. Exhaled air enters nozzle 116 as shown by arrow 188, flows through passages 178, and out through the deflection openings 122. Because the deflection openings 122 have a smaller cross-sectional area for escape than a combination of the deflection openings 122 plus the valve opening 120, which restricts the exhaled air flow, causing a positive return pressure on the patient's lungs. It has been found that the presence of a small back pressure against exhalation increases the separation and subsequent expulsion of phlegm and the accumulation of mucus in the lungs and airways of a patient. The amount of return pressure is regulated by the size and number of deflection openings 122. In the present preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1-8, three openings 122 are provided in the removable valve 118. Valve 118 is removable for cleaning, and can be replaced with another valve 118 having larger or smaller deviation openings 122 as needed for each particular patient. Another configuration of the body 176, not shown, may include an accessory, such as a power outlet, for coupling to the valve 118 of a medicinal inhalation device in the valve opening 120. Such a configuration may allow a inhaler together with the use of the apparatus 100. Alternatively, the valve 118 may have a configuration for completely enclosing a medicinal inhalation device, when the valve 118 is removable from the nozzle 112. Therefore, the configuration of the valve 118 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8 is simply exemplary. Although the apparatus 100 is configured primarily for use by human patients, it can be used for a variety of other patients, such as horses, dogs, cats, or other animals with respiratory diseases that cause congestion in the nasal, bronchial, and / or nasal passages. pulmonary For example, the apparatus 100 can be used directly on horses. A horse normally does not breathe through its mouth. A horse breathes through its two nostrils. In the equine application, the nozzle 112 can be used without the valve 118. In this case a plugged valve insert can be provided in the nozzle 112 that has no breathing passages through it, as described above. In this case, the patient, horse, breathes through a nostril while the apparatus 100 provides acoustic vibrations through the other nostril. Figures 9 to 14 show an exemplary nozzle 300 that can be used with bovine, equine or other animal patients for which a valve 118 is not needed. This nozzle 300 simply replaces the nozzle 112 shown in Figures 1-6 and 8. The rest of the apparatus 100 is as described above. Actually, the mouthpiece 300 is actually illustrated in the nostril of a large animal patient instead of the patient's mouth. The terminology "nozzle", therefore, is used generically in the present invention to designate that portion of the apparatus 100, which, when coupled to the housing 102, directs the acoustic energy in the airways of a patient. The nozzle 300 consists of a base ring 302, an upper baffle section 304, a lower baffle section 306, and a flexible tip portion 308. The upper deflector section and the lower baffle deflector sections are snapped together as shown in FIG. Figure 9. Lower and upper deflector section 304 and 306 together are inserted and retained within ring-shaped base ring 302 such that joined sections 304 and 306 can be rotated within ring-shaped base ring 302. . The ring-shaped base 302, in turn, is threaded into the open threaded end housing 106 102 as described above with reference to the embodiment 100 shown in Figures 1-8.

The upper and lower baffle sections 304 and 306 each preferably include a rigid internal shelf 310 and 312 respectively, axially spaced from each other such that when the nozzle 300 is inserted into the nostril of an animal, the fluid expelled from the nostrils of the patient have to follow a tortuous path to the diaphragm 162 and therefore, generally at least one of the baffles (310 and / or 312) will be picked up instead of reaching and impacting the replaceable diaphragm 160. The lower baffle 312 preferably also has a central notch 313 to allow the passage of acoustic energy therethrough so that baffles do not substantively decrease the transmission of acoustic energy while still providing a mechanism to capture the expelled fluidic materials. The tapered, tubular, flexible tip portion 308 is shown separately in Figure 13. The tip section 308 is formed of a soft latex or silicone plastic material. The proximal end 313 of the tip section 308 preferably has a groove 314 that receives tapered annular bead portions 316 formed at the distal end 325 of the upper and lower section 304 and 306 joined to assemble the nozzle shown in Figure 9. The tip section 308 is preferably made relatively soft and flexible to interconnect with the patient's nasal tissues comfortably without danger of irritation or injury. In addition, the trailing end of the tip section 308 is preferably stretched elastically to allow portions of the tine 316 to be inserted into the slot 314 to contain the tip section 308 in the assembled deflector sections 304 and 306. The ring base 302 is shown separately in Figure 14. This base ring 302 is a substantially rigid annular plastic body having an internally threaded end 318 tailored to the thread inside the externally threaded end 106 of the housing 102 shown in FIG. Figure 8. The other open end of the base 302 having an internal annular flange 320. The outer surface of the base ring 302 has a series of spaced apart protrusions 322 that facilitate the assembly of the base ring 302 in the housing 102. With reference now to Figures 11 and 12, the upper and lower section 304 and 306 are coincidentally joined along the matching tongue and slot edges 324 and 326 The wide ends 328 and 330 of these sections 304 and 306 together form an annular and tapered outer sleeve 322 having a series of spaced apart notches or breakers 334. This tapered sleeve 332 breaks in and engages the annular flange 320 in the another open end of the base ring 302. The base ring 302 therefore retains the upper and lower section 304 and 306 together and allows the sections 304 and 306, together with the tip 308, to be rotated about the base ring 302, and therefore, the housing 102. Therefore, with reference to Figure 9, if the nozzle 300 was fastened to the housing 102, the tip 308 can be rotated to orient the tip 308 up, down, or at any angle while retains the base ring 302 stationary in the housing 102. The upper and lower section 304 and 306 are coincidentally joined together in a tongue and groove manner. However, in alternative embodiments, this joint between the matching sections may be a butt splice since the base ring 302 and the tip section 308 actually hold these sections 304 and 306 together. Also, in other alternative embodiments, deflectors 310 and 312 can be removed or have a different shape from that shown. The base ring 302 and the upper and lower sections 304 and 306 are preferably made of a material of considerably rigid plastic, preferably one that can be sterilized. The tip section 308 may have a shape other than as specifically shown, depending on the particular animal for which it is designed.While the apparatus has been described in terms of what is currently considered the most practical and preferred modalities, it should be understood that the description is not necessarily limited to the described modalities. For example, other forms of accommodation other than the housing 102 are provided. For example, the housing 102 does not necessarily have a curved "C" shape with the electronic equipment inserted into a network portion between the portions 104 and 106. They can be used other functions, placements and configurations of control buttons or control mechanisms. Additionally, other shapes and configurations of the housing 102 are provided. In addition, in alternative embodiments, the control mechanisms and buttons can be replaced by automated functionality. It is intended that this description cover several modifications and similar provisions included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be interpreted more broadly to cover all such modifications and similar structures. All patents and other printed publications referred to in the present invention are included by reference in their entirety. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.

Claims (27)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as a priority:
2. CLAIMS 1. An apparatus for assisting a patient to dislodge and / or clear fluids, phlegm and accumulated mucosa in the tracheal, bronchial, pulmonary and / or sinus passages comprising: a long curved hollow housing having an end portion considerably closed and an open end portion, the open end portion forms at least part of an acoustic coupling chamber; a generally funnel-shaped tapered nozzle having a broad end adapted to fit within the open end portion of the housing, tapered to a small tail portion tailored to be inserted into the air passages of a patient, the nozzle forms another part of the acoustic coupling chamber, wherein the nozzle includes an operable valve to allow a patient to breathe through the mouthpiece to inhale through a valve opening and exhale through a passage of deviation around the valve while coupling the acoustic coupling chamber inside the patient's mouth; and an acoustic signal generator housed within said hollow housing having an acoustic transducer which directs acoustic vibrations within and through the chamber within the airways of a patient when the nozzle is engaged within the airways of a patient. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve comprises: an extended housing having one or more passages extending from an open end of the housing to an exit opening and a valve opening spaced from the opening of exit; and a flexible valve disc positioned in the operable valve opening to allow passage of a gas through the valve opening in a first direction and blocks the passage of the gas through the valve opening in a second direction.
3. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve is fixed to the nozzle removably.
4. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible disposable diaphragm further in the coupling chamber interspersed between the nozzle and the hollow housing, the diaphragm has an elastic plastic annular edge.
5. 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a flexible disposable diaphragm in the coupling chamber that is sandwiched between the nozzle and the hollow housing, the diaphragm having an elastic plastic annular edge.
6. 6. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the nozzle has an inner annular ridge around and spaced from the open threaded end and the disposable diaphragm edge has a complementary shaped groove that receives the ridge.
7. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the edge of the diaphragm is coupled to an annular flange around the open end of the housing when the nozzle and the housing are joined, the edge forms a first acoustic seal between the chamber of coupling and the external environment.
8. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the open end portion of the housing has a peripheral annular flange adjacent to the open end and wherein a portion of the nozzle engages the annular flange to form a second acoustic seal. between the coupling chamber and the external environment.
9. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing further comprises a network portion between the closed end portion and the open end portion, the network portion supporting a microprocessor control and microprocessor circuit board. same to selectively control the frequency and speed of repetition of the acoustic vibrations produced by the transducer.
10. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the network portion of the housing has a plurality of openings aligned with a contact bearing on the circuit board for receiving pin contacts therethrough by connecting the microprocessor to a programmable computer.
11. 11. An apparatus for assisting a patient to dislodge and / or clear fluids, phlegm and mucus accumulated in the tracheal, bronchial, pulmonary and / or paranasal sinuses comprising: a long curved hollow housing having an end portion substantially closed and an open end portion, the open end portion forms at least part of an acoustic coupling chamber; a generally tapered nozzle having a wide open end adapted to fit into and fasten to the open end portion of the housing, characterized in that the nozzle is tapered to a custom-made open end portion to be inserted into the a patient's airways, the mouthpiece forms another part of the acoustic coupling chamber; a programmable acoustic signal generator housed within a network portion of the housing between the closed end portion and the open threaded end portion, the hollow housing has an acoustic transducer in the chamber that directs acoustic vibrations within and through the chamber coupling into a patient's airways when the mouthpiece is held in the patient's mouth; and wherein the acoustic signal generator includes a microprocessor in a printed circuit board in the network portion and wherein the network portion has a plurality of openings therethrough without aligning with the contact pads in the card. Internal printed circuit to connect programmable computer to the microprocessor in the signal generator.
12. 12. - The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a sliding switch that moves extending through a portion of the curved housing to control one or more acoustic parameters associated with the acoustic vibrations.
13. 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the nozzle includes a valve operable to allow a patient to breathe through the nozzle to inhale through a valve opening and exhale through restricted deviation passage around of the valve opening while coupling the acoustic coupling chamber into the patient's mouth.
14. 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the valve comprises: a prolonged housing having one or more passages extending from an open end of the housing to an exit opening and a valve opening spaced from the exit opening; and a flexible valve disc positioned in the operable valve opening to allow passage of a gas through the valve opening in a first direction and blocks the passage of the gas through the valve opening in a second direction.
15. 15. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the valve is fixed to the nozzle removably.
16. 16. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a flexible disposable diaphragm in the coupling chamber sandwiched between the nozzle and the hollow housing, the diaphragm having an elastic plastic annular edge.
17. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the nozzle has an internal annular ridge around and spaced from the open threaded end and the disposable diaphragm edge has a complementary shaped groove that receives the ridge.
18. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the edge of the diaphragm couples an annular flange around the open end of the housing when the nozzle and housing are joined together, the edge forms a first acoustic seal between the coupling chamber and the external environment.
19. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the threaded open end portion of the housing has a peripheral annular board adjacent the threaded open end and wherein a portion of the nozzle engages the annular board to form a second seal acoustic between the coupling chamber and the external environment.
20. 20. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the network portion has a plurality of elastic control switch pads coupled to the signal generator to adjust the control parameters for the acoustic vibrations produced by the acoustic transducer in the coupling camera.
21. 21. An apparatus for assisting a patient in loosening phlegm, fluids and mucus accumulated in the tracheal, bronchial, pulmonary and / or sinus passages comprising: a long curved hollow housing having a substantially closed end portion and a portion open end, the open end portion forms at least part of an acoustic coupling chamber; a generally funnel-shaped tapered nozzle having a broad end adapted to fit within the open end portion of the housing, tapered to a small tail portion tailored to be inserted into the air passages of a patient, the nozzle forms another part of the acoustic coupling chamber; and an acoustic signal generator housed within said hollow housing having an acoustic transducer which directs acoustic vibrations within and through the chamber within the airways of a patient when the nozzle is engaged within the airways of a patient, in wherein the acoustic signal generator includes a microprocessor connected to a receiver in the housing to receive a signal from an external source.
22. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the receiver is a wireless receiver that is adapted to receive a signal to adjust an acoustic waveform generated by the acoustic generator.
23. 23. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the nozzle includes a valve operable to allow a patient to breathe through the nozzle to inhale through a valve opening and exhale through a valve passage of deviation around the valve while coupling the acoustic coupling chamber in the patient's mouth.
24. 24. - The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the external source is a transducer.
25. 25. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the transducer is an oximeter.
26. 26. The apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the microprocessor and receiver are housed within a network portion of the housing between the closed and open end portions.
27. 27. The apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that the nozzle includes a valve operable to allow a patient to inhale through a valve opening and exhale through a bypass valve passage around the valve.