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Method and system to determine nasal resistance to airflowRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Respiratory Method Or Device, Means For Supplying Respiratory Gas Under Positive Pressure, Electric Control Means, Means For Sensing Condition Of User's BodyMethod and system to determine nasal resistance to airflow description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070186929, Method and system to determine nasal resistance to airflow. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/850,496 entitled "Method and System to Determine Nasal Resistance to Airflow" filed May 20, 2004, incorporated by reference herein as if reproduced in full below. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and systems of calculating the resistance to airflow of the nostrils of a patient, also known as nasal resistance. [0005] 2. Background of the Invention [0006] Knowing the nasal resistance of a person's nostrils or nares may be useful in predicting and diagnosing many ailments associated with the nose and nasopharynx. For example, knowing the nasal resistance may be useful in quantifying a degree of congestion experienced by a patient. Further, knowing the nasal resistance may be useful in determining the degree or extent of a physical abnormality, such as a deviated septum. [0007] One related art method that may be used to determine nasal resistance is known as rhinomanography. Rhinomanography may be a technique of recording nasal pressure of an intentionally blocked naris, and simultaneously recording flow through an unblocked naris. Rhinomanography in accordance with the related art may be a multi-step process. In particular, a first naris may be blocked by a pressure gauge or meter. Thereafter, the entire nose and mouth of the patient may be covered and airflow through the unblocked naris measured in relation to the pressure developed in the blocked naris. Thereafter, the blocked and unblocked naris may be switched and a second set of data collected regarding airflow through the second naris with respect to nasal pressure. [0008] As can be appreciated from the description above, a rhinomanographic test may be a complicated process. Airflow measured through each naris is with the other naris blocked, and therefore nasal resistance calculated is not with respect to normal breathing patterns. Further, the act of plugging a naris, so as to read nasal pressure, may cause swelling of the nasal tissue which may in turn affect airflow through that naris and skew the calculated nasal resistance. SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0009] The problems noted above are solved in large part by a method and related system to determine nasal resistance to airflow. Some of the exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising measuring an attribute of airflow through a first naris of a patient without blocking a second naris of the patient, measuring an attribute of airflow through the second naris of the patient without blocking the first naris, and determining a value indicative of nasal resistance to airflow based on the attributes measured. [0010] Other exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising measuring airflow through a first naris of a patient, measuring a pressure within the patient's mouth substantially simultaneously with measuring airflow through the first naris, and determining a value indicative of nasal resistance using the pressure and measured airflow. [0011] Still other exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising determining an oral airflow rate for a patient taking an oral only breath to substantially vital capacity, determining an airflow rate through a first naris for a patient taking a nasal only breath to substantially vital capacity, and calculating a value indicative of nasal resistance using the oral airflow rate and the airflow rate through the first naris. [0012] Yet other exemplary embodiments may be a system comprising a processor, a memory device coupled to the processor, a first sensor electrically coupled to the processor, and a second sensor electrically coupled to the processor. The first sensor fluidly couples to a first sensing tube in operational relationship to a first naris of a patient, the second sensor fluidly couples to a second sensing tube in operational relationship to a second naris of the patient, and the first and second sensors each generate an electrical signal proportional to airflow through the first and second naris respectively. The processor, executing a program stored on the memory, determines a value indicative of nasal resistance using the electrical signals proportional to airflow. [0013] The disclosed devices and methods comprise a combination of features and advantages which enable it to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art devices. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: [0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a graph of inspired volume as a function of time for an exemplary inspiration to vital capacity; [0016] FIG. 2 illustrates reproduces the exemplary graph of inspired volume of FIG. 1, and also shows an exemplary graph of an oral pressure reading for a corresponding period of time; [0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a respiratory mask which may be use in accordance with embodiments of the invention; [0018] FIG. 4 illustrates use of a nasal cannula in accordance with embodiments of the invention; [0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a high level flow diagram for determining nasal resistance in accordance with embodiments of the invention; Continue reading about Method and system to determine nasal resistance to airflow... Full patent description for Method and system to determine nasal resistance to airflow Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and system to determine nasal resistance to airflow patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and system to determine nasal resistance to airflow or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Combined ventilator inexsufflator Next Patent Application: Compact oronasal patient interface Industry Class: Surgery ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and system to determine nasal resistance to airflow patent info. 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