WO2020223507A1

WO2020223507A1 - Delivery system for therapeutically conditioned air

Info

Publication number: WO2020223507A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/030767
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeremy J. Ling
Original assignee: Respire Llc
Priority date: 2019-05-02
Filing date: 2020-04-30
Publication date: 2020-11-05

Abstract

This document describes devices and methods for providing therapeutically conditioned air, for example oxygen, to a patient. The devices and methods accomplish the delivery of therapeutically conditioned air from a remote distance away from the patient, without the need to make contact with the patient. In some embodiments, the devices described herein tune the flow characteristics of the therapeutically conditioned air to enable delivery through a distance of ambient air to reach the patient from a remote non-patient contacting position.

Description

DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR THERAPEUTICALLY CONDITIONED AIR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is an international application and claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 62/842,528, filed May 2, 2019. The disclosure of the foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This document relates to methods and apparatuses for the delivery of therapeutically conditioned air to a person for therapeutic purposes.

2. Background Information

Delivery of supplemental oxygen to a patient, referred to as oxygen therapy, is a common example of delivering therapeutically conditioned air to a person for therapeutic purposes. Oxygen therapy is a standard of care during surgical procedures as well as the postoperative recovery process to help exchange anesthetic gases and to help transition patients that have been intubated. Delivery of supplemental oxygen is also prescribed in the general hospital, as well as the home health care setting to help address and assist with numerous health conditions. Oxygen masks and nasal cannulas are the primary delivery systems used for this type of therapy.

People suffering from numerous other types of respiratory conditions may also require delivery of some type of therapeutically conditioned air. For example, people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), usually need breathing treatments to help them breathe freely.

Nebulizer treatments usually require you to wear a mask for 5 to 10 minutes. During this time, the person needs to sit still. For small children who have trouble staying still, this might be a problem. If they do not sit still or keep the mask on long enough, they may not get all the medication they need.

Provision of such air is particularly effective if the therapeutically conditioned air can be controlled to emerge from a treatment device in close proximity to a patient’s nose and mouth. Breathing masks and cannulas may provide a desired focused release of therapeutically conditioned air near a patient’s nose and mouth, however such delivery systems are well known to have their problems. They can be discomforting and even frightening to a patient who may be emerging from the effects of anesthesia. Such a patient often will sub-consciously remove the mask or cannula and thus loose the beneficial effects of the therapeutically conditioned air. Clinical studies publish that this scenario, referred to as emergent agitation, is a significant problem in the pediatric segment where approximately 80% of pediatric patients will refuse the oxygen mask. When patients are agitated and refusing therapy it can create a dangerous circumstance for the patient’s health. It also creates a very challenging situation for the healthcare provider who ends up in a struggle versus their patient to continue administering the necessary therapy. When patients refuse to wear an oxygen mask, it is a common practice for healthcare professionals to set or hold the mask near the patients face. However, studies demonstrate that no meaningful oxygen reaches the patient when the mask is not worn. This is because the oxygen quickly mixes in with the surrounding ambient air and no meaningful concentration is delivered to the patient. Existing delivery systems have not taken into consideration the need for nor the inventive means to accomplish non-contact delivery of therapeutic gases, as described below.

Beyond emergent agitation challenges, masks and cannulas continue to have compliance challenges for other general comfort and accessibility reasons. Many patients experience feelings of anxiety and claustrophobia when wearing a mask.

Nasal cannulas can be physically irritating and painful to wear for extended durations. Additionally these devices create communication restrictions when the patient has to wear them. And furthermore, masks do not allow access for fluids and oral medication.

Masks, in some cases, also present a known danger of C02 rebreathing.

Various circumstances could lead to the build up of the patient’s own exhaled C02 being trapped in the mask. As the patient rebreathes this C02, it can contribute to a dangerous hypoxic situation where the patient is not receiving adequate oxygenation as needed.

As can be seen there is a need for a system for providing therapeutically conditioned air in the proximity of a patients nose and mouth while avoiding the dangerous, challenging, and discomforting effects of masks, cannulas, and other delivery system applied to a patients face. There exists need for alternative ways to deliver therapeutically conditioned air to patients. SUMMARY

This document describes devices and methods for providing therapeutically conditioned air, for example oxygen, to a patient. The devices and methods accomplish the delivery of therapeutically conditioned air from a remote distance away from the patient, without the need to make contact with the patient. In some embodiments, the devices described herein tune the flow characteristics of the therapeutically conditioned air to enable delivery through a distance of ambient air to reach the patient from a remote non-patient contacting position. This includes devices and methods that induce flow rates, flow velocities, flow profiles, and in general flow characteristics on the therapeutically conditioned air that enable it to travel through a distance of ambient air and successfully reach the patient rather than mixing into the surrounding ambient environment. The invention also enables adjustable placement and aiming of the therapeutically conditioned air for delivery from a remote non patient contacting position.

In one aspect, this disclosure is directed to a delivery system for providing therapeutically conditioned air to a patient in a non-contact manner. The delivery system includes: (i) an adaptor for connecting the delivery system to a source of therapeutically conditioned air; (ii) an elongate flexible tube, a proximal end of the tube attached to the adaptor, the tube defining a lumen for conveying the

therapeutically conditioned air from the source along a distal direction through the lumen; (iii) a flow conditioner having a proximal end attached to a distal end of the tube, the flow conditioner defining an internal space that receives the therapeutically conditioned air from the lumen of the tube, the internal space having a continuum of transverse cross-sectional areas along the flow conditioner, the continuum of cross- sectional areas being equal or increasing along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to a distal end of the flow conditioner; and (iv) a delivery head attached to the distal end of the flow conditioner and defining one or more exit locations confluent with the internal space of the flow conditioner such that the therapeutically conditioned air can expel from the delivery system toward the patient.

Such a delivery system may optionally include one or more of the following features. The delivery system may also include a holding device that releasably couples with the delivery system and that provides adjustable placement and aiming of the therapeutically conditioned air expelled from the delivery system. The holding device may be configured to releasably couple with the flow conditioner. In some embodiments, a total cross-sectional area of the one or more exit locations is larger than a cross-sectional area of the lumen of the elongate flexible tube lumen by a ratio of at least 5: 1. The delivery head may define one or more exit lumens that each distally terminate at a respective exit location of the one or more exit locations. An axial length of each exit lumen may be at least twice as long as an effective diameter of its respective flow exit (when an area of the flow exit is approximated as a circle). The delivery head may define five exit locations.

In some embodiments, the five exit locations are arranged in an X-pattem. A central exit location of the five exit locations may have a different cross-sectional area than the outer exit locations of the five exit locations. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the central exit location is larger than that of the outer exit locations. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the central exit location is smaller than that of the outer exit locations. A continuum of cross-sectional areas of the flow conditioner may increase linearly along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to the distal end of the flow conditioner. The continuum of cross-sectional areas of the flow conditioner may increase in a parabolic manner along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to the distal end of the flow conditioner. The continuum of cross-sectional areas of the flow conditioner may increase in a logarithmic manner along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to the distal end of the flow

conditioner. In some embodiments, the continuum of cross-sectional areas of the flow conditioner increases in an S-curve manner along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to the distal end of the flow conditioner. In particular embodiments, one or more vanes are located within the internal space of the flow conditioner. A transverse cross-sectional area of the internal space at the distal end of the flow conditioner may be larger than a transverse cross-sectional area of the lumen of the tube by a ratio in a range of 3 : 1 to 10: 1. A transverse cross-sectional area of the internal space at the distal end of the flow conditioner may be larger than a transverse cross-sectional area of the lumen of the tube by a ratio in a range of 8: 1 to 20: 1.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this document can be implemented to realize one or more of the following advantages. In some embodiments, the devices and methods for delivering therapeutically conditioned air improves patient compliance, eliminates risk of C02 rebreathing, allows access for fluids and oral medication, allows unrestricted communication, reduces challenges with patient agitation, and improves patient and healthcare provider comfort.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described herein. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description herein. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawings of some embodiments of the apparatus are included to assist in explaining the basic inventive ideas. These drawings are intended as illustrations and are not meant to limit the invention described herein.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example device for delivering therapeutically conditioned air in accordance with some embodiments provided herein.

FIG. 2 is longitudinal cross-section view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side exploded view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a positionable aiming device that can be used in conjunction with the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a therapeutically conditioned air delivery system for therapeutically conditioned air that includes the device of FIG. 1 and the aiming device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the therapeutically conditioned air delivery system of FIG. 6 shown attached to a hospital bed for providing supplemental oxygen to a patient.

Like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes devices and methods for providing therapeutically conditioned air, for example oxygen, to a patient. The devices and methods accomplish the delivery of therapeutically conditioned air from a remote distance away from the patient, without the need to make contact with the patient. The subject matter described herein may take form in a variety of embodiments, including but not limited to, the embodiments, components, arrangements of components, assembly methods and arrangements of methods, and apparatus usage procedures and arrangements of procedures as described below. The embodiments described, while possibly being preferred embodiments, are illustrative examples and are not meant to limit the invention described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an example delivery device 10 for providing therapeutically conditioned air, for example oxygen, to a patient. The delivery system 10 defines a flow pathway for the therapeutically conditioned air through a lumen. As described further below, a distal end portion of the lumen expands in volumetric geometry to control and induce preferred flow characteristics of the therapeutically conditioned air emerging from the delivery device 10.

The delivery device 10 is an assembly that defines a lumen for delivering therapeutically conditioned air to a patient. The delivery device 10 is a flexible and positionable elongate structure that receives therapeutically conditioned air from a source and transmits the therapeutically conditioned air to a secondary location where it exits the delivery head of the delivery device 10.

One end of the delivery device 10 includes a source adaptor 11, which receives the therapeutically conditioned air from a source and directs the

therapeutically conditioned air into delivery tubing 12. The delivery tubing 12 can vary in length depending how far away the patient is away from the source. The delivery tubing 12 is generally intended to be a small cross section conduit that provides a flexible and economical pathway to transport the therapeutically conditioned air from a source to the vicinity of the patient.

The delivery tubing 12 directs the therapeutically conditioned air into a flow conditioner 13. Like an expansion chamber, the flow conditioner 13 allows the therapeutically conditioned air to expand, reduce in velocity, and induces preferred flow characteristics to the therapeutically conditioned air. The flow conditioner 13 finally directs the therapeutically conditioned air into a delivery head 14 where it exits the delivery device 10. The delivery head 14 may further induce preferred flow characteristics of the therapeutically conditioned air.

The delivery head 14 provides directional distribution and aiming of the

therapeutically conditioned air to reach the patient. As the therapeutically conditioned air exits the delivery head 14 it has been adjusted into a flow state that enables it to travel through a distance of ambient air and successfully reach the patient rather than mixing into the surrounding ambient environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal cross-section view of the delivery device 10. The delivery tube 12 defines a flow lumen 15 that receives therapeutically conditioned air from the source adaptor and delivers it to the flow conditioner 13.

The delivery tube 12 may take form in various arrangements, shapes, and lengths that include a long, flexible, and positionable lumen 15.

The flow conditioner 13 defines an internal space 16 (or flow conditioning lumen 16 or chamber). In some embodiments, the flow conditioning lumen 16 increases linearly in cross-section over a fixed distance. Flow conditioning lumen 16 can vary in preferred geometry, cross sections, and lengths depending on the pressure and flow rate delivered by the therapeutically conditioned air source, as well as the size and length of the delivery tube 12 and lumen 15. The flow conditioning lumen 16 is responsible for inducing preferred flow rates, flow velocities, flow profiles, and in general flow characteristics of the therapeutically conditioned air that enable it to travel through a distance of ambient air and successfully reach the patient rather than mixing into the surrounding ambient environment.

In some embodiments, the profile of the flow conditioning lumen 16 flares (enlarges) along the flow direction in a parabolic manner, logarithmic manner, S- curve manner, or along another geometric profile, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, one or more vanes (curved or straight) or other physical features are located in the flow conditioning lumen 16 to help prevent the formation of eddy currents as the gas flows through the flow conditioning lumen 16 toward the delivery head 14.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the distal end (the end that is coupled to the delivery head 17) the flow conditioning lumen 16 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the flow lumen 15 of the delivery tube 12 by a ratio that is within a range of 2: 1 to 40: 1, or 2: 1 to 20: 1, or 2: 1 to 10:1, or 2: 1 to 8:1, or 2: 1 to 6: 1, or 2:1 to 4: 1, or 5: 1 to 30: 1, or 5: 1 to 20: 1, or 5: 1 to 15: 1, or 5: 1 to 10: 1, or 8: 1 to 40: 1, or 8: 1 to 30: 1, or 8: 1 to 20: 1, or 8: 1 to 15: 1, or 8: 1 to 10: 1, without limitation.

The delivery head can include one or more lumens that are in fluid communication with the flow conditioning lumen 16. In the depicted embodiment, five exit lumens 18 are in fluid communication with the flow conditioning lumen 16. The exit lumens 18 terminate distally at flow exits 17.

In the depicted embodiment, the exit lumens 18 are each linear. Alternatively, in some embodiments one or more of the exit lumens 18 can extend along a curve or multiple curves.

The cross sectional area as well as axial length of exit lumens 18 further induce preferred flow rates, flow velocities, flow profiles, and in general flow characteristics of the therapeutically conditioned air that enable it to travel through a distance of ambient air and successfully reach the patient rather than mixing into the surrounding ambient environment. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of each of the exit lumens 18 is substantially equal to (e.g., within +/- 10%, or within +/- 5%, or within +/- 2%, or within +/- 1%) the cross-sectional area of the flow lumen 15 of the delivery tube 12. Accordingly, in embodiments having five exit lumens 18, the total cross-sectional area of the delivery head 14 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the delivery tube 12 by a ratio of about 5:1. In some embodiments, the total cross- sectional area of the exit lumens 18 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the flow lumen 15 by a ratio within a range of 2: 1 to 40: 1, or 2: 1 to 20: 1, or 2: 1 to 10: 1, or 2: 1 to 8: 1, or 2: 1 to 6: 1, or 2: 1 to 4: 1, or 5: 1 to 30: 1, or 5: 1 to 20: 1, or 5: 1 to 15: 1, or 5: 1 to 10: 1, or 8: 1 to 40: 1, or 8: 1 to 30: 1, or 8: 1 to 20: 1, or 8: 1 to 15: 1, or 8: 1 to 10: 1, without limitation.

In some embodiments the axial length of exit lumens 18 is at least twice as long as the effective diameter of the flow exits 17, when the area of the flow exits 17 are approximated as a circle.

The delivery head 14 defines multiple flow exits 17 that are confluent with the flow conditioning lumen 16. In the depicted embodiment, the delivery head 14 defines five flow exits 17 arranged in an X-pattem (e.g., see FIG. 4). In some embodiments, the delivery head 14 includes one, two, three, four, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more than ten flow exits 17. In some embodiments, each of the multiple flow exits 17 have the same cross-sectional diameter. Alternatively, one or more of the multiple flow exits 17 can have a larger or smaller cross-sectional diameter of other multiple flow exits 17. For example, in the depicted embodiment having the five flow exits 17, the central flow exit 17 can have a smaller or larger cross-sectional area than the four outer flow exits 17 in some embodiments.

While the central flow exit 17 of the depicted embodiment is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the overall delivery device 10, in some embodiments the outer flow exits 17 can be arranged to define acute angles between the longitudinal axis and the axes of the outer flow exits 17. In some embodiments, the angle is within a range of 0° to 40°, or 0° to 30°, or 0° to 20°, or 0° to 10°, or 10° to 40°, or 10° to 30°, or 10° to 20°, or 20° to 40°, or 20° to 30°, without limitation.

In some embodiments, the delivery head 14 is detachable from the flow conditioner 13 so that a user can interchange differing types of the delivery heads 14 depending upon various use conditions.

The delivery head 14 receives the therapeutically conditioned air from the flow conditioner 13 and positions, aims and distributes the therapeutically conditioned air to the patient through flow exits 17. The delivery head 14 may additionally induce preferred flow characteristics on the therapeutically conditioned air that enable it to travel through a distance of ambient air and successfully reach the patient rather than mixing into the surrounding ambient environment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side exploded view of the delivery device 10. The exploded view includes at least the four components as described above: 1) the source adaptor 11 that connects the delivery system 10 to a source for providing

therapeutically conditioned air; 2) the delivery tubing 12 that transports the therapeutically conditioned air to a vicinity near the patient; 3) the flow conditioner 13 that induces flow characteristics on the therapeutically conditioned air that enable it to travel through a distance of ambient air and successfully reach the patient rather than mixing into the surrounding ambient environment; and 4) the delivery head 14 that provides aiming, positioning, and distribution of the therapeutically conditioned air through multiple flow exits to send the therapeutically conditioned air to the patient from a remote distance away.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the delivery device 10, including the source adaptor 11, the delivery tubing 12, the flow conditioner 13, and the delivery head 14. As shown, in some embodiments the delivery head 14 includes five flow exits 17 to deliver therapeutically conditioned air across a coverage area or zone that the patient is expected to reside in. The delivery system 10 can be releasably coupled with a positionable aiming device. The positionable aiming device may take form in various lengths and shape, but is generally a structure that holds the delivery device 10 in a position a remote distance away from the patient, as well as aims the delivery head 14 and flow exits 17 of the delivery device 10 toward the patient.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example positionable aiming device 20. The positionable aiming device 20 includes an aiming guide 23 that is configured to releasably couple with the delivery device 10 to aim the therapeutically conditioned air towards the patient. A positionable aiming device 20 may also include a positional shape retention body 22 that attaches to the aiming guide 23, and allows the aiming guide 23 to be moved and positioned into various locations.

In some embodiments, the shape retention body 22 is made up of series of interlocked articulating segments that allow the body 22 to be manually manipulated into a preferred holding position. Once the articulating segments have been manually moved to a preferred holding position they will retain that shape and position to facilitate aiming of the aiming guide 23. The shape retention body 22 is illustrated with interlocked articulating segments, but this is not intended to be limiting as the positionable shape retention could be accomplished with other components such as a malleable rod that can be bent into different positions or an off the shelf flexible gooseneck arm made for holding various devices in adjustable positions.

The positionable aiming device 20 also includes an anchoring feature at one end of the shape retention body 22. In some embodiments, the anchoring feature is a device such as the clamp assembly 21. The clamp assembly 21 could be attached for example, to a bed rail, IV pole, or other surrounding room structure to hold the positionable aiming device 20 in the vicinity of the patient. In other embodiments, the anchoring feature could simply be a weighted base or stand that supports the assembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a delivery system 50 for

therapeutically conditioned air. The delivery system 50 includes the positionable aiming device 20 holding the delivery device 10.

As depicted, in some embodiments the delivery device 10 can be releasably coupled with the positionable aiming device 20 by nesting the flow conditioner 13 co axially with the aiming guide 23. Accordingly, the aiming guide 23 controls the positioning, placement, and direction of aim of the flow exits 17. In some embodiments, the aiming guide 23 includes form, function, and features that assist the user in visually aiming and aligning the flow exits 17 to the patient.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a delivery system 50 for

therapeutically conditioned air attached to a hospital bed rail 31 providing supplemental oxygen to a patient 32.

In the depicted example, the delivery device 10 is in fluid communication with a wall mounted oxygen source 30 (as can commonly be found in post anesthesia care units and general hospital rooms). The delivery device 10 plugs into the oxygen source 30 by means of its source adaptor 11. The delivery tubing 12 conveys the oxygen to the flow conditioner 13, and the oxygen the exits the delivery head 14 thru the flow exits 17.

The positionable aiming device 20 is attached to the bed rail 31 by the clamp assembly 21. Accordingly, the positionable aiming device 20 can hold the delivery device 10 in the vicinity of the patient. The shape retention body 22 can be manipulated into a position such that the aiming guide 23 is holding the flow conditioner 13 and aiming flow exits 17 toward the patient 32. As shown, the delivery system 50 can be remotely positioned from patient 32 such that

therapeutically conditioned air is provided without the delivery system 10 having to make contact with the patient 32.

The present subject matter has disclosed devices and methods to address critical shortcomings of existing delivery systems for therapeutically conditioned air. The delivery system disclosed herein enables therapeutically conditioned air to be delivered to a patient from a remote position without making contact with the patient. This addresses many significant shortcomings of existing delivery systems including eliminating risk of C02 rebreathing, enabling compliance throughout emergent agitation, eliminating claustrophobia, eliminating obstructed access for oral medication and liquids, eliminating impeded communication barriers, and significantly improving general patient and healthcare provider comfort.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described herein as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system modules and components in the embodiments described herein should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A delivery system for providing therapeutically conditioned air to a patient in a non-contact manner, the delivery system comprising:

an adaptor for connecting the delivery system to a source of therapeutically conditioned air;

an elongate flexible tube, a proximal end of the tube attached to the adaptor, the tube defining a lumen for conveying the therapeutically conditioned air from the source along a distal direction through the lumen;

a flow conditioner having a proximal end attached to a distal end of the tube, the flow conditioner defining an internal space that receives the therapeutically conditioned air from the lumen of the tube, the internal space having a continuum of transverse cross-sectional areas along the flow conditioner, the continuum of cross- sectional areas being equal or increasing along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to a distal end of the flow conditioner; and

a delivery head attached to the distal end of the flow conditioner and defining one or more exit locations confluent with the internal space of the flow conditioner such that the therapeutically conditioned air can expel from the delivery system toward the patient.

2. The delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a holding device that releasably couples with the delivery system and that provides adjustable placement and aiming of the therapeutically conditioned air expelled from the delivery system.

3. The delivery system of claim 2, wherein the holding device is configured to releasably couple with the flow conditioner.

4. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein a total cross-sectional area of the one or more exit locations is larger than a cross-sectional area of the lumen of the elongate flexible tube lumen by a ratio of at least 5: 1.

5. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the delivery head defines one or more exit lumens that each distally terminate at a respective exit location of the one or more exit locations, and wherein an axial length of each exit lumen is at least twice as long as an effective diameter of its respective flow exit, when an area of the flow exit is approximated as a circle.

6. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the delivery head defines five exit locations.

7. The delivery system of claim 6, wherein the five exit locations are arranged in an X-pattem.

8. The delivery system of claim 7, wherein a central exit location of the five exit locations has a different cross-sectional area than the outer exit locations of the five exit locations.

9. The delivery system of claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional area of the central exit location is larger than that of the outer exit locations.

10. The delivery system of claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional area of the central exit location is smaller than that of the outer exit locations.

11. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the continuum of cross-sectional areas of the flow conditioner increases linearly along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to the distal end of the flow conditioner.

12. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the continuum of cross-sectional areas of the flow conditioner increases in a parabolic manner along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to the distal end of the flow conditioner.

13. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the continuum of cross-sectional areas of the flow conditioner increases in a logarithmic manner along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to the distal end of the flow conditioner.

14. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the continuum of cross-sectional areas of the flow conditioner increases in an S-curve manner along the flow conditioner from the proximal end of the flow conditioner to the distal end of the flow conditioner.

15. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more vanes are located within the internal space of the flow conditioner.

16. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein a transverse cross- sectional area of the internal space at the distal end of the flow conditioner is larger than a transverse cross-sectional area of the lumen of the tube by a ratio in a range of 3: 1 to 10: 1.

17. The delivery system of any of the preceding claims, wherein a transverse cross- sectional area of the internal space at the distal end of the flow conditioner is larger than a transverse cross-sectional area of the lumen of the tube by a ratio in a range of 8: 1 to 20: 1.