US 11,744,727 B2
Device and method for opening an airway
Jerome K. Aarestad, Escondido, CA (US); Kent Gandola, San Diego, CA (US); David Giuntoli, San Diego, CA (US); and Jeff Mullally, La Mesa, CA (US)
Assigned to SOMMETRICS, INC., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by SOMMETRICS, INC., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/479,864.
Application 17/479,864 is a continuation of application No. 16/083,445, granted, now 11,123,218, previously published as PCT/US2017/021450, filed on Mar. 8, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/305,494, filed on Mar. 8, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0000655 A1, Jan. 6, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 5/56 (2006.01); A61H 9/00 (2006.01); A61F 13/02 (2006.01); A61F 13/00 (2006.01); A61M 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 5/56 (2013.01) [A61F 13/00068 (2013.01); A61F 13/0216 (2013.01); A61H 9/0057 (2013.01); A61M 1/915 (2021.05); A61M 1/962 (2021.05); A61H 2009/0064 (2013.01); A61H 2201/1604 (2013.01); A61H 2201/165 (2013.01); A61H 2201/169 (2013.01); A61H 2201/1609 (2013.01); A61H 2205/022 (2013.01); A61H 2205/026 (2013.01); A61H 2205/04 (2013.01); A61M 2210/065 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0606 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A therapy device configured for the administration of negative pressure upon the external surface of the individual, the therapy device comprising:
a chamber comprising:
(a) a pressure containment structure comprising
(i) a flexible membrane which defines a chamber,
(ii) an aperture through the flexible membrane, and
(iii) a flange element adapted to form a sealing surface when mated to the individual, whereby a first surface of the flange element is configured to approximately conform to a continuous contact area on the individual defined by a first location corresponding to a first gonion on one side of the individual's mandibular body, a second location corresponding to the individual's mental protuberance, a third location corresponding to a second gonion on the opposite side of the individual's mandibular body, and a fourth location corresponding to the individual's thyroid cartilage,
(b) an endoskeleton structure that is formed as a discrete element from the pressure containment structure, the endoskeleton structure configured to be positioned inside the pressure containment structure and comprising
(i) a structural member configured to mechanically support the aperture,
(ii) a first spar member configured to mechanically support the chamber and comprising a plurality of arcuate spars, wherein each spar in the first spar member is configured to extend from a first end thereof that is located proximal to the structural member to a second end thereof that is located at the flange element at the first location, wherein each of the arcuate spars in the first spar member are spaced apart laterally from one another, wherein each of the arcuate spars in the first spar member are affixed to a first lateral joining structure at the first end thereof and to a second lateral joining structure at the second end thereof, and wherein the first lateral joining structure is rotationally engaged with the structural member via first and second hinge points of the first lateral joining structure,
(iii) a second spar member configured to mechanically support the chamber and comprising a plurality of arcuate spars, wherein each spar in the second spar member is configured to extend from a first end thereof that is located proximal to the structural member to a second end thereof that is located at the flange element at the third location, wherein each of the arcuate spars in the second spar member are spaced apart laterally from one another, wherein each of the arcuate spars in the second spar member are affixed to a third lateral joining structure at the first end thereof and to a fourth lateral joining structure at the second end thereof, and wherein the third lateral joining structure is rotationally engaged with the structural member via third and fourth hinge points of the third lateral joining structure; and
an air pump operably connected to the chamber at the aperture to produce a therapeutic level of negative pressure within the chamber,
wherein the arcuate spars in the first and second spar members each comprise a curved surface that is configured to face outward toward, and lay in contact with, an inner surface the flexible membrane of the chamber and form a parallel curve to the inner surface of the chamber,
wherein when the therapeutic level of negative pressure is produced, a normal force is generated on the curved surface of the first and second spar members that resists shear/lateral movement of the first and second spar members relative to the inner surface of the flexible membrane, and
wherein when the therapeutic level of negative pressure is produced, a load force generated thereby is distributed outwardly by the first and second spar members from the central structural member to the sealing element making contact with the first and third locations on the individual.