WO2017095978A1

WO2017095978A1 - Positive expiratory pressure therapy apparatus with magnetic components

Info

Publication number: WO2017095978A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/064308
Authority: WO
Inventors: David T. Rowe; Rodney Wilmer DENLINGER
Original assignee: Teleflex Medical Incorporated
Priority date: 2015-12-01
Filing date: 2016-12-01
Publication date: 2017-06-08

Abstract

An apparatus for oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy having a main body defining a flow lumen therein, defining a central longitudinal axis, and for receiving an expiratory airflow; a mouthpiece linked to a proximal portion of the main body to receive the expiratory airflow from a user and to direct the expiratory airflow into the flow lumen of the main body; and a piston slidably positioned within the main body distal to the mouthpiece, having a first piston magnet positioned on a proximal axial end of the piston, and a second piston magnet positioned on a distal axial end of the piston.

Description

POSITIVE EXPIRATORY PRESSURE THERAPY APPARATUS WITH

MAGNETIC COMPONENTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application no. 62/261,603, filed December 1, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention as disclosed herein generally relates to an apparatus and method for providing oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy to a human user. Specifically, the invention relates to using an apparatus with magnetic components to facilitate oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy to assist a human user in the act of breathing.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy is a useful therapy for removal of excess secretions in a human user. In conventional oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy designs, a patient may breathe through an apparatus that may create an air resistance, and therefore a positive pressure within the user's lungs. Once the oscillating positive expiratory pressure has been established, the air restriction in the apparatus may be released to allow for pressure within the apparatus to return to a level at or near zero. This cycle opens a user's airways to create an acceleration of airflow, which can aid the user in the mobilization and removal of secretions within the airway. Such therapy methods and devices may not allow for a consistent or optimal application of oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy, especially when the apparatus is used in multiple positions and orientations. [0004] Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method to administer a consistent and optimal oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy for a user having excess secretions when the apparatus is used in varying positions and orientations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by this disclosure, with an apparatus and method for using magnetic components to administer oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy to a user. Some users may benefit from such an apparatus and method by experiencing optimized oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy. Other users may benefit from experiencing the application of more consistent oscillating positive expiratory pressure.

[0006] In one or more aspects, an apparatus for oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy has a main body defining a flow lumen therein, defining a central longitudinal axis, and for receiving an expiratory airflow, a mouthpiece operatively linked to a proximal portion of the main body and for receiving the expiratory airflow from a user and for directing the expiratory airflow into the flow lumen of the main body, and a piston slidably positioned within the main body distal to the mouthpiece, having a first piston magnet positioned on a proximal axial end of the piston, and a second piston magnet positioned on a distal axial end of the piston.

[0007] In another aspect, an apparatus for oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy has a main body defining a flow lumen therein, defining a central longitudinal axis, and for receiving an expiratory airflow, a mouthpiece operatively linked to a proximal portion of the main body and for receiving the expiratory airflow from a user and for directing the expiratory airflow into the flow lumen of the main body, and a piston slidably positioned within the main body distal to the mouthpiece, having a first piston magnet positioned on a proximal axial end of the piston, and a second piston magnet positioned on a distal axial end of the piston.

[0008] In this respect, before explaining at least one aspect of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of aspects in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0009] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosure. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a positive expiratory pressure therapy apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus and its components according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the apparatus without the housing and with the slidable valve body in the closed position according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section view of the apparatus of FIGs. 1-3 when the piston slides distally within the main body and when the slidable valve body is in the open position according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative version of the apparatus of FIGs. 1-4, the alternative version not including the front cap magnet, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 5 according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 5 without the front cap magnet, when the piston slides distally within the main body and the slidable valve body slides to an open position, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative version of the apparatus of FIGs. 1-4, the alternative version including a resonance chamber, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 8 without the front cap, when the piston slides distally within the main body and the slidable valve body slides to an open position, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The disclosure will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. Aspects of the disclosure advantageously provide an apparatus and method for using magnetically positioned components to create oscillating positive expiratory pressure.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a positive expiratory pressure therapy apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 may have a housing 102 which may consist of one or more portions covering a main body 104. The housing 102 could be plastic, fiberglass, plexiglass, or the like in material. The housing 102 may have one or more exit flow openings 106 to allow airflow to pass through. The housing 102 may be formed by one or more portions, such as a top portion and a bottom portion which may at least partially enclose the main body 104 and/or other components of the apparatus 100 associated with the present disclosure.

[0023] In one aspect of the disclosure, the main body 104 may be shaped as a hollow tube with open ends on its proximal and distal sides. The main body 104 may define a flow lumen and a central longitudinal axis. The main body 104 may also house some or all of the components of the oscillating positive expiratory pressure apparatus 100 and may be transparent or translucent so that the user may see the internal components of the oscillating positive expiratory pressure apparatus 100. The main body 104 may also be opaque, or translucent. The main body 104 may consist of a single continuous component or a multiple components engaged and/or operating together to form an exterior body in or on which other aspects of the present disclosure may be positioned.

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 and its components. The apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 may include a mouthpiece 202, a slide stop 204, a front cap 206, one or more proximal magnets 208, a slidable valve body 210, one or more valve magnets 212, a piston 214, a first piston magnet 216, a second piston magnet 218, a resilient stop 220, a pressure adjuster mechanism 222, a pressure adjuster magnet 224, a pin 226, and the like. [0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 without the housing 102 and with the slidable valve body 210 in the closed position. The closed position may be the distal-most position for the slidable valve body 210 in which the slidable valve body 210 does not allow air to escape through it and out of the main body 104.

[0026] The main body 104 may include various exit flow openings that allow for airflow to pass through and escape from the interior of the main body 104. The exit flow openings may be placed in different locations on and through the main body 104 in order to facilitate the oscillating expiratory pressure therapy process by decreasing pressure within various portions of the main body 104 when the exit flow openings are unblocked and allow airflow to exit from the interior of the main body 104. In one aspect, the main body 104 may include at least one proximal exit flow opening 302 on a proximal side of the main body 104. In another aspect, the main body 104 may contain at least one distal exit flow opening 304 on a distal side of the main body 104. When the slidable valve body 210 is in the closed position, the valve exit flow openings 306 do not align with the at least one proximal exit flow opening 302, thus rendering the valve exit flow openings 306 and the at least one proximal exit flow opening 302 blocked so that no air escapes from the interior of the main body 104 through the valve exit flow openings 306 and the at least one proximal exit flow opening 302.

[0027] In one aspect of the disclosure, the mouthpiece 202 may be in contact with or operatively connected to a proximal portion of the main body 104, may receive an expiratory airflow from a user, and may direct the expiratory airflow into the flow lumen of the main body 104. The mouthpiece 202 may be flat, flute-shaped, conical, or the like. The mouthpiece 202 may be at least partially open on its distal side so that air received from a user's breath may pass through the mouthpiece 202 into the main body 104 and/or other components. [0028] The slide stop 204 may operatively connect the mouthpiece 202 to the main body 104. The slide stop 204 may have a portion wider than the slidable valve body 210 to limit the proximal movement of the slidable valve body 210.

[0029] In another aspect of the disclosure, the front cap 206 may be positioned in a proximal side of the main body 104, distal to the mouthpiece 202 and proximal to the piston 214. The front cap 206 may contain at least one exit flow opening which can allow the passage of the expiratory airflow from the user through the exit flow opening. The front cap 206 may also contain the one or more proximal magnets 208, such as a front cap magnet 208 in one aspect of the disclosure, with a polarity oriented in a distal direction. The front cap magnet 208 may be arranged on a distal side of the front cap 206.

[0030] In still another aspect of the disclosure, the one or more proximal magnets 208 may be the front cap magnet 208. The front cap magnet 208 could be in the shape of a disk. The one or more proximal magnets 208 may alternatively be multiple magnets (as illustrated in FIG. 6) with a polarity oriented in a distal direction, positioned within the proximal portion of the main body 104. The one or more proximal magnets 208 could be disk-shaped or shaped otherwise. In an aspect with multiple magnets for the one or more proximal magnets 208, the polarity oriented in a distal direction for each of the magnets may be the same for each magnet.

[0031] The piston 214 may be arranged inside of the main body 104 on the distal side of the front cap 206 and the slidable valve body 210. The piston 214 may comprise a first piston magnet 216 positioned on a proximal axial end of the piston 214, and a second piston magnet 218 positioned on a distal axial end of the piston 214. The first piston magnet 216 may be arranged facing outward from the proximate axial end of the piston 214 and may be positioned such that its polarity on the proximal side is the opposite of the polarity of the front cap magnet 208 oriented in a distal direction. The front cap magnet 208 may be axially aligned with the first piston magnet 216 to create an attractive magnetic force.

[0032] The slidable valve body 210 may be slidably coupled to the main body 104 proximal to the piston 214. The front cap 206 may be positioned within the slidable valve body 210 and within the main body 104. The front cap 206 may also be at least partly positioned within the slide stop 204.

[0033] The slidable valve body 210 may comprise one or more valve magnets 212 positioned radially-outward from a longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the one or more valve magnets 212 may be axially offset from the first piston magnet 216 and from the front cap magnet 208. In such an aspect, the magnetic fields of the one or more valve magnets 212, front cap magnet 208, and first piston magnet 216 may interact with an attractive magnetic force due in part to an edge effect interaction between the magnetic fields of the one or more valve magnets 212 and the first piston magnet 216. The slidable valve body 210 may also have a valve exit flow opening 306.

[0034] In one aspect, the one or more valve magnets 212 have a first polarity oriented in a proximal direction and have a second polarity oriented in a distal direction. In such an aspect, the arrangement of these magnets may result in an attractive magnetic force between the one or more valve magnets 212 and the front cap magnet 208 and between the one or more valve magnets 212 and the first piston magnet 216 due to the edge effect interaction between the respective magnetic fields. Such an arrangement may hold the slidable valve body 210, the front cap 206, and the piston 214 in a home position that may represent the proximal-most position of the piston 214.

[0035] The first piston magnet 216, the one or more valve magnets 212, and the front cap magnet 208 may be arranged in the home position to create an attractive magnetic force between them so that the piston 214 does not slide distally within the main body 104 unless or until the main body 104 receives an airflow strong enough to overcome the attractive magnetic force between the first piston magnet 216 and the front cap magnet 208 and/or the one or more valve magnets 212. The strength of the magnetic force between the first piston magnet 216, the front cap magnet 208 and/or the one or more valve magnets 212 may vary based on the characteristics of the magnets or the number of magnets used. As is further explained below, the magnetic attraction between the first piston magnet 216, the front cap magnet 208 and/or the one or more valve magnets 212 may also return the piston 214, the front cap 206 and/or the slidable valve body 210 to their starting positions wherein the piston 214 may be located in its proximal-most position within the main body 104. To facilitate the sliding of the piston 214, the magnetic field of the first piston magnet 216 may be stronger or weaker than the magnetic field of the second piston magnet 218. The magnetic field of the first piston magnet 216 may also be equal to the magnetic field of the second piston magnet 218.

[0036] In the home position, the polarity of the front cap magnet 208 oriented in a distal direction may be the opposite of the polarity of the first piston magnet 216 oriented in a proximal direction. In addition, the polarity of the one or more valve magnets 212 oriented in a proximal direction may be the same as the polarity of the front cap magnet 208 oriented in a distal direction while the polarity of the one or more valve magnets 212 oriented in a distal direction may be the same as the polarity of the first piston magnet 216 oriented in the proximal direction. Because the one or more valve magnets 212 may not be in the same axial plane as the first piston magnet 216 and/or front cap magnet 208, the like polarities of the one or more valve magnets 212 oriented in the distal direction and of the first piston magnet 216 oriented in the proximal direction, and/or the like polarities of the one or more valve magnets 212 oriented in the proximal direction and of the front cap magnet 208 oriented in the distal direction may create an edge effect. This edge effect may result in an attraction between the like polarities, and may also facilitate the home position of the piston, the slidable valve body, and/or the front cap by holding the piston 214 in its proximal-most position and the slidable valve body 210 in its distal-most position. The slidable valve body 210 may be closed in its distal-most position, meaning the valve exit flow openings 306 may be blocked so that no airflow may pass through.

[0037] The first and second piston magnets 216 and 218 may each be a single magnet or may each be multiple magnets (not shown). The first and second piston magnets 216 and 218 may be in the shape of disks or other shapes as long as the first piston magnet 216 has an outward polarity in a proximal direction and the second piston magnet 218 has an outward polarity oriented in a distal direction. In an aspect in which the first piston magnet 216 and the second piston magnet 218 each have multiple magnets, the outward polarity of each first piston magnet 216 may be equal and the outward polarity of each second piston magnet 218 may be equal. In one aspect, the diameter of the piston 214 may equal to that of the inner surface of the main body 104 and therefore air may not flow around the piston 214 in the main body 104.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section view of the apparatus 100 when the piston

214 slides distally within the main body 104 and when the slidable valve body 210 is in the open position. The piston 214 may slide distally within the main body 104 in response to sufficient airflow received within the main body 104 from the mouthpiece 202. When the airflow received by the main body 104 overcomes the attractive magnetic force between the front cap magnet 208 and the first piston magnet 216, or the attractive magnetic force between the one or more valve magnets 212 and the first piston magnet 216, the piston 214 may slide distally within the main body 104. In one aspect, the main body 104 has the at least one distal exit flow opening 304 on a distal side of the main body 104 to allow air to pass through the distal exit flow opening 304 as the piston 214 slides distally within the main body 104.

[0039] When the piston 214 slides distally within the main body 104, the loss of magnetic attraction between the front cap magnet 208, the one or more valve magnets 212, and the first piston magnet 216 may result in the slidable valve body 210 slidably moving from its distal-most position to a proximal-most position. When the slidable valve body 210 slidably moves proximally, it may be stopped by the slide stop 204 arranged on a proximal side of the slidable valve body 210. The slidable valve body 210 may slidably rotate to an open position where a valve exit flow opening 306 may align with the proximal exit flow opening 302 in the main body 104. The alignment of the valve exit flow opening 306 and the proximal exit flow opening 302 may allow the expiratory airflow to pass through from the flow lumen.

[0040] The pressure adjuster mechanism 222 may be arranged on or within a distal side of the main body 104, distal to the piston 214. The pressure adjuster mechanism 222 may adjust pressure within the main body 104 based on the way the pressure adjuster mechanism 222 is positioned. In one aspect of the disclosure, the pressure adjuster mechanism 222 may have a pressure adjuster magnet 224 on its proximal side. The pressure adjuster magnet 224 may be disk-shaped or the like, and may be a single magnet, as illustrated, or multiple magnets. The pressure adjuster mechanism 222 may be arranged to fit within the main body 104 such that there is no space between the pressure adjuster mechanism 222 and the main body 104 for air to escape. The pressure adjuster mechanism 222 may also be arranged distal to at least one distal exit flow opening 304 in the distal side of the main body 104 so that when the piston 214 moves distally within the main body 104 towards the pressure adjuster mechanism 222, air in the main body 104 may flow out of the at least one distal exit flow opening 304 in the distal side of the main body 104 in order to reduce air pressure in the main body 104 between the piston 214 and the pressure adjuster mechanism 222.

[0041] The pressure adjuster magnet 224 may have a polarity oriented in the proximal direction that is the same as the polarity oriented in the distal direction of the second piston magnet 218 so as to create a repulsion force between the pressure adjuster magnet 224 and the second piston magnet 218. In one aspect, as the piston 214 slides distally within the main body 104 towards the pressure adjuster mechanism 222, the repulsion force between the second piston magnet 218 and the pressure adjuster magnet 224 may apply a pressure against the piston 214 from a distal side in a proximal direction. As the repulsion force between the pressure adjuster magnet 224 and the second piston magnet 218 increases, the piston 214 may stop moving distally within the main body 104 and may begin to move proximally within the main body 104 to return to its original home position. The change of direction in piston movement may occur due to a combination of air flowing out of the at least one distal exit flow opening 304 on the distal side of the main body 104, air flowing out of the at least one proximal exit flow opening 302 on the proximal side of the main body 104, the repulsion force between the pressure adjuster magnet 224 and the second piston magnet 218, and the attractive force between the first piston magnet 216 and the one or more valve magnets 212 and/or front cap magnet 208. This change in direction of piston movement and change in pressure within the main body 104 as the piston 214 oscillates between the proximal and distal sides of the main body 104 may create a pressure oscillation within the main body 104, which may facilitate oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy for the patient using the apparatus 100.

[0042] In an aspect, the pressure adjuster mechanism 222 may increase or decrease pressure within the main body 104 by moving the pressure adjuster magnet 224 proximally or distally to increase or decrease distance between the pressure adjuster magnet 224 and the second piston magnet 218. The closer the pressure adjuster magnet 224 may be to the second piston magnet 218, the more pressure there may be within the main body 104, and thus a higher amplitude pressure oscillation wave may be created. To facilitate the placement of the pressure adjuster magnet 224, the pressure adjuster mechanism 222 may have a pin 226 or dowel held by a retainer. The pin 226 may protrude from the surface of the main body 104 and/or from the pressure adjuster mechanism 222 so that a user may slide the pressure adjuster mechanism 222 in a proximal or distal direction with the pin 226 holding the pressure adjuster mechanism 222 in place. In one aspect, the pin 226 may have a spring retainer positioned within the pressure adjuster mechanism 222 and operatively linked to the pin 226 to hold the pin 226 in place. The adjustment in distance between the pressure adjuster magnet 224 and the piston 214 may control the amount of air pressure in the oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy.

[0043] In still another aspect of the disclosure, the resilient stop 220 can be arranged within the distal side of the main body 104 on the distal side of the piston 214. The resilient stop 220 may be arranged as part of the pressure adjuster mechanism 222. The resilient stop 220 may also be arranged on the proximal side of the piston 214 to adjust the cracking pressure needed to move the piston 214 distally from the home position and/or to reduce noise as the piston 214 returns to its home position. The resilient stop 220 may vary in thickness to change the cross-sectional area of the main body 104. The resilient stop 220 may also be multiple resilient stops 220.

[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative version of the apparatus 100 shown in FIGs. 1-

4, which does not include the front cap magnet 208. Instead, in such an aspect, the piston 214 may be held in its proximal-most position at least in part by the one or more valve magnets 212, which may have a polarity oriented in the distal direction, the polarity being the same as the polarity of the first piston magnet 216 oriented in the proximal direction. Because the one or more valve magnets 212 are on a different axis than the first piston magnet 216, there is an edge effect interaction between the one or more valve magnets 212 and the first piston magnet 216, the edge effect interaction holding the piston 214 in its proximal-most home position until that magnetic force is overcome by the received expiratory airflow.

[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 5. The one or more proximal magnets 208 may be positioned on the distal side of the slide stop 204 and may also be axially aligned with the one or more valve magnets 212, meaning that the one or more proximal magnets 208 and the one or more valve magnets 212 are axially offset from the first piston magnet 216. This way, the one or more valve magnets 212 create the edge effect to hold the piston 214 in its proximal-most position, and when the expiratory airflow overcomes that magnetic force to slide the piston 214 distally within the main body 104, the one or more valve magnets 212 will be attracted to the axially-aligned one or more proximal magnets 208. Accordingly, once the piston 214 is displaced from its home position and slides distally within the main body 104, the slidable valve body 210 may slide to its proximal-most position due to the attractive magnetic force between the polarity of the one or more proximal magnets 208 oriented in the distal direction and the polarity of the one or more valve magnets 212 oriented in the proximal direction. The slide stop 204 will limit the distance that the slidable valve body 210 can slide in the proximal direction.

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 5 without the front cap magnet 208, when the piston 214 slides distally within the main body 104 and the slidable valve body 210 slides to an open position. When the slidable valve body 210 slides to its proximal-most position, the valve exit flow openings 306 may align with the proximal exit flow openings 302 of the main body 104 to allow the airflow to pass through. As the piston 214 slides distally within the main body 104, the release of airflow from on the proximal side of the piston 214 due to the slidable valve body 210 moving to its proximal-most position may allow air pressure on a proximal side of the piston 214 to be reduced so that the piston 214 can more easily return to its proximal-most home position.

[0047] The pressure adjuster magnet 224 may provide a repulsion magnetic force on the second piston magnet 218 as the piston 214 slides distally within the main body 104. Also, as the piston 214 slides distally within the main body 104, air within the main body 104 may exit through the distal exit flow openings 304. The result may be the piston 214 sliding back in a proximal direction to its home position, facilitating the oscillation positive expiratory pressure therapy.

[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative version of the apparatus 100 shown in

FIGs. 1 -4, which includes a resonance chamber 802. FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 8. The one or more proximal magnets 208 may be positioned on the distal side of the slide stop 204 and may also be axially aligned with the one or more valve magnets 212, meaning that the one or more proximal magnets 208 and the one or more valve magnets 212 are axially offset from the first piston magnet 216. Once the piston 214 has been displaced from its home position and slides distally within the main body 104, the slidable valve body 210 may slide to its proximal-most position due to an attractive magnetic force between the polarity of the one or more proximal magnets 208 oriented in the distal direction and the polarity of the one or more valve magnets 212 oriented in the proximal direction. The resilient stop 220 may be multiple resilient stops positioned distal to the slidable valve body 210 to help stop the distal movement of the slidable valve body 210.

[0049] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section view of the apparatus of FIG. 8. This aspect may exist without the front cap 206. In such an aspect, the cross-sectional area of the slidable valve body 210 may be increased. In addition, instead of the front cap 206, this aspect may use the resonance chamber 802 arranged distal to the mouthpiece 202 and proximal to the slidable valve body 210. The resonance chamber 802 may operatively link the mouthpiece 202 to the main body 104. The slide stop 204 may also be positioned at least partly within the resonance chamber 802.

[0050] FIG. 11 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 8 without the front cap 206, when the piston 214 slides distally within the main body 104 and the slidable valve body 210 slides to an open position. When the slidable valve body 210 slides to its proximal-most position, the valve exit flow openings 306 may align with the proximal exit flow openings 302 of the main body 104 to allow the airflow to pass through. As the piston 214 slides distally within the main body 104, the release of the airflow from on the proximal side of the piston 214 due to the slidable valve body 210 moving to its proximal-most position may allow the air pressure on a proximal side of the piston 214 to be reduced so that the piston 214 can more easily return to its proximal-most home position.

[0051] The resonance chamber 802 may allow for the build-up of air within the resonance chamber 802 before displacing the piston 214 from its home position. By having a significant volume, the resonance chamber 802 may create a deep resonance in the user's chest due to the volume of air required to compress within the resonance chamber 802 in order to displace the piston 214 from its home position. In an aspect without the front cap 206, the one or more valve magnets 212 may hold the piston 214 in place with the edge effect and may create a cracking force that needs to be overcome to slide the piston 214 distally within the main body 104.

[0052] In another aspect, the polarities of all of the magnets in different embodiments of the various positive expiratory apparatus disclosed herein may be reversed to maintain their same relationship with each other so that the magnetic forces between them remain consistent with the opposite arrangement of magnet polarities. For example, if two magnets were arranged such that their positive polarities face each other, the reversed aspect would comprise the two magnets with their negative polarities facing each other so as to maintain the same repulsion force.

[0053] While the various embodiments of the apparatus and method disclosed herein have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be specific aspects, the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed aspects. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all aspects of the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy, the apparatus comprising:

a main body defining a flow lumen therein, defining a central longitudinal axis, and configured to receive an expiratory airflow;

a mouthpiece operatively linked to a proximal portion of the main body and configured to receive the expiratory airflow from a user and to direct the expiratory airflow into the flow lumen of the main body; and

a piston slidably positioned within the main body distal to the mouthpiece, comprising a first piston magnet positioned on a proximal axial end of the piston, and a second piston magnet positioned on a distal axial end of the piston.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main body defines at least one proximal exit flow opening in a surface of the main body on a proximal side of the piston and configured to allow the expiratory airflow to pass from the flow lumen out of the main body.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the main body further comprises a distal exit flow opening distal to the proximal axial end of the piston, configured to allow air within the main body on a distal side of the piston to pass through when the piston moves distally within the main body.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first piston magnet has a stronger magnetic field than the second piston magnet.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising one or more proximal magnets disposed on the apparatus proximal to the piston, wherein:

the piston is biased in a first, proximal-most position by an attractive magnetic force between the one or more proximal magnets and the first piston magnet, and

the piston slides in a distal direction within the main body in response to the expiratory airflow against the piston overcoming the attractive magnetic force between the first piston magnet and the one or more proximal magnets.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a front cap magnet with a first polarity oriented in a distal direction, positioned within the proximal portion of the main body.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a slidable valve body having at least one valve magnet positioned radially-outward from the longitudinal axis, wherein the slidable valve body is slidably coupled to the main body proximal to the piston and comprises a valve exit flow opening, the valve exit flow opening configured to allow the expiratory airflow to pass through from the flow lumen with the at least one proximal exit flow opening of the main body.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the slidable valve body slides relative to the main body from a first, distal-most valve position where the at least one valve magnet is axially proximate to the first piston magnet, to a second, proximal-most valve position where the valve exit flow opening is aligned with the at least one proximal exit flow opening of the main body.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one valve magnet has the first polarity oriented in a proximal direction and has a second polarity oriented in a distal direction.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one valve magnet is attracted to the first piston magnet in the first, distal-most valve position when the piston is in the first, proximal- most position, and the slidable valve body slides proximally after the expiratory airflow causes the piston to move distally, overcoming attraction between the at least one valve magnet and the first piston magnet, such that the at least one valve magnet is attracted to the front cap magnet as the slidable valve body moves in the proximal direction.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a pressure adjuster magnet having a polarity oriented in the proximal direction that is the same as a polarity of the second piston magnet oriented in the distal direction, arranged within a distal portion of the main body and distal to the piston, and disposed on a pressure adjuster mechanism, wherein the pressure adjuster mechanism is configured to move the pressure adjuster magnet proximally and distally.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1, wherein the pressure adjuster mechanism further comprises a resilient stop positioned within the main body, configured to control distal movement of the piston and configured to reduce noise.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the pressure adjuster mechanism further comprises a pin coupled to the pressure adjuster mechanism including the pressure adjuster magnet, the pin being slidable and lockable in a plurality of positions through complementary openings defined on a distal end portion of the main body.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second piston magnet is repelled by the pressure adjuster magnet.

15. An apparatus for oscillating positive expiratory pressure therapy, the apparatus comprising:

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the main body defines at least one proximal exit flow opening in a surface of the main body on a proximal side of the piston and configured to allow the expiratory airflow to pass from the flow lumen out of the main body.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the main body further comprises a distal exit flow opening distal to the proximal axial end of the piston, configured to allow air within the main body on the distal side of the piston to pass through when the piston moves distally within the main body.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first piston magnet has a stronger magnetic field than the second piston magnet.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a slidable valve body having at least one valve magnet positioned radially-outward from the longitudinal axis, wherein the slidable valve body is slidably coupled to the main body proximal to the piston and comprises a valve exit flow opening, the valve exit flow opening configured to allow the expiratory airflow to pass through from the flow lumen with the proximal exit flow opening of the main body.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising one or more proximal magnets disposed on the apparatus proximal to the piston, wherein:

the piston is biased in a first, proximal-most position by an attractive magnetic force between the at least one valve magnet and the first piston magnet, and

the piston slides in a distal direction within the main body in response to the expiratory airflow against the piston overcoming the attractive magnetic force between the first piston magnet and the at least one valve magnet.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the slidable valve body slides relative to the main body from a first, distal-most valve position where the at least one valve magnet is axially proximate to the first piston magnet, to a second, proximal-most valve position where the valve exit flow opening is aligned with the proximal exit flow opening of the main body.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the at least one valve magnet has a first polarity oriented in a proximal direction and has a second polarity oriented in a distal direction.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one valve magnet is attracted to the first piston magnet in the first, distal-most valve position when the piston is in the first, proximal-most position, and the slidable valve body slides proximally after the expiratory airflow causes the piston to move distally, overcoming attraction between the at least one valve magnet and the first piston magnet, such that the at least one valve magnet is attracted to the one or more proximal magnets as the slidable valve body moves in the proximal direction.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a pressure adjuster magnet having a polarity oriented in the proximal direction that is the same as a polarity of the second piston magnet, arranged within a distal portion of the main body and distal to the piston, and disposed on a pressure adjuster mechanism, wherein the pressure adjuster mechanism is configured to move the pressure adjuster magnet proximally and distally.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the pressure adjuster mechanism further comprises a resilient stop positioned within the body, configured to control distal movement of the piston and configured to reduce noise.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the pressure adjuster mechanism further comprises a pin coupled to the pressure adjuster mechanism including the pressure adjuster magnet, the pin being slidable and lockable in a plurality of positions through complementary openings defined on a distal end portion of the main body.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the second piston magnet is repelled by the pressure adjuster magnet.

28. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a resonance chamber defined on a proximal end portion of the apparatus.