WO1990004426A1

WO1990004426A1 - An apparatus for counteracting hyperventilation

Info

Publication number: WO1990004426A1
Application number: PCT/NL1989/000079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Berend Heijenga
Original assignee: HEIJENGA'S MANAGEMENT BV
Current assignee: HEIJENGA'S MANAGEMENT BV
Priority date: 1988-10-27
Filing date: 1989-10-23
Publication date: 1990-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-27
Also published as: AU4408589A; NL8802646A; NL188142B; NL188142C; CA2001403A1

Abstract

An apparatus for counteracting hyperventilation, comprising a substantially closed container with a blow/suction mouth piece or opening and an additional outflow/inflow opening, said container being constructed as a box with rigid walls consisting of at least two parts (1, 2) which fit into one another and are mutually slidable, one part (1) being provided with the mouth piece (8, 9), which container, in the extended condition, has a volume which is suitable for the oxygen reduction to be obtained, and its dimensions, in the collapsed condition, having a reduced magnitude suitable for being stored, and are in particular approximately being halved.

Description

An apparatus for counteracting hyperventilation,

Hyperventilation is a phenomenon in which, in the lungs, more oxygen is being absorbed than during normal breathing, which leads to a number of unpleasant physical side effects. These side effects, such as shortness of breath, pressure on the chest, a prickling sensation in the arms and the like, similar to the phenomena of a heart infarct or the like, which can lead to panic. Since hyperventilation has a mental cause, such a panic will bring about amplication of the effect.

Suppressing the cause of physical side effects can break this cycle. As is known this can be done be reducing the oxygen supply towards, and the carbon dioxide discharge from the lungs.

A known aid is the use of a bag into which air breathed out is to be blown, and from which this air is breathed in again. Generally a small and closed bag is used, so that an oxygen deficiency will quickly occur. A larger bag provided with a hole in its bottom would, probably, operate effectively, but is not attractive for the user in view of the conspicuousness thereof. Moreover it is difficult to choose the correct volume, and in particular the correct hole dimension, and the latter is important in order to obtain a sufficient but not too large oxygen supply.

The use of a length of garden hose or a funnel, as re¬ commended by experts, is not satisfactory either, not only because of the conspicuousness thereof, but still more because i-t is objectionable for persons who regularly hyperventilate ^'to carry always with them such rather bulky means.

Apparatus are already commercially available which have the shape of a plastics bottle with a mouth piece arranged on the neck thereof and covering the nose and lips, and, in the rigid bottle wall, a hole is provided which, if necessary, can be wholly or partly covered by a finger. These known apparatus are not only conspicuous in use, but are also too bulky for being easily taken along. The hole is, as such, sufficiently large, but a regulation by partly covering it in the correct manner requires some training, and it cannot be expected from a hyperventilating person in panic to act rationally, which can delay the attention of a beneficial effect or can prevent this even completely.

It is- an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for the above-mentioned purpose, which can be used inconspicuously, and can be easily taken along. The invention is based on the observation that, for reaching a satisfactory effect, the volume of such an apparatus needs not to be_, larger than 100 ml, but also this is too much for carrying such an apparatus in a coatpocket or handbag.

The apparatus of the invention comprising a substantial¬ ly closed container with a blow/suction mouth piece or opening and an additional outflow/inflow opening, is, to that end, characterised in that the container is construced as a box with rigid walls consisting of at least two mutually telesco¬ ping parts, the one part thereof being provided with the mouth piece or opening, which container, in the extended condition, has a volume which is suitable for the desired oxygen restriction, whereas, in the collapsed condition, the dimensions thereof are being reduced to an extent suitable for storing, and, in particular, to about half or less.

This plural box can be easily put away, and can be quickly extended to the volume required for use, and is, then, immediately ready for being used. Such a box can be manufactured in a simple and economic way.

In order to avoid that, when being extended, the parts get loose from each other, these parts are preferably be provided by stops limiting the extension length, and in particular the stops of one of the parts are made in the form of resilient claws allowing these parts to be released from one another.

Preferably in one of these parts, and in particular the part not provided with the mouth piece, a number of openings to be wholly or partly covered by a finger is provided. It is, then, possible to adjust the correct leak by covering more or less openings, which is simpler than parthly covering a larger opening.

The invention will be elucidated below in more detail by reference to a drawing; showing in: Fig. 1 an exploded perspective view of an apparatus of the invention; and

Fig. 2 a cross-section of this apparatus in the collapsed condition.. The apparatus of the invention as shown comprises an outer part 1 and an inner part 2 fitting into one another and being mutually shiftable. The inner part 2 has a closed bottom 3 with a protruding rim limiting the inwards shifting of the part 2 into the outer part, and which,., moreover, serves as a grip for pulling outwards the part 2.

The other end of the part 2 is open. Near its edge two resilient tongues 4 with a hook-shaped terminal rim 4' are formed, which, at the inner side, are covered by a cab 5 in order to avoid undesired air leaks along these tongues. The outer part 1 is internally somewhat wider than the outer side of the inner part 2 in order to avoid jamming, but near its edge a strip 6 made of felt or the like is provided at the inner side for avoiding undesired air leaks. With the hooked edges 4 ' correspond internal bosses 7 in the outer part 1, behind with the hooks 4' can engage when the inner part 2 has been completely extended, thus restricting the outer position thereof. By pressing inwards the tongues 4, the hooks 4' can be released from the bosses 7, in order to allow the part to be separated from one another, for instance for being cleaned.

The outer part 1 joins a narrowed terminal portion 8 provided with an opening 9 serving as a mouth piece.

In the collapsed condition, this apparatus is not larger than a packet of cigarettes, and can, therefore, be easily taken along. In the extended condition its volume is not more than about 100 ml which has appeared to be sufficient for the envisaged purpose.

In order to avoid an oxygen deficiency, holes 10 are provided in the inner part 2, which can be covered by a finger as required.

Laterally thereof, and for instance in a lateral wall portion, additional holes 10' can be provided, which remain out of the reach of the covering finger, and, thus, ensure a minimum air flow. It will be clear, that many modifications are possible. In particular the part 2 can be constructed as the outer part. The above-mentioned volume of 100 ml is not intended in the restricted sense, since also a smaller volume may be useful, which will reduce the dimension of the apparatus still further Moreover the tongues 4 can be replaced by other locking an/or stop means, and also the mouth piece 8, 9 can be shaped- in a different manner. This apparatus can also be assembled"from three or even more telescoping parts, in order to obtain still smaller outer dimensions in the collapsed condition, or to increase the volume accordingly. Furthermore it is possible to increase the flow resistance, if required, by inserting a wad of cotton-wool, foam or the like.

Such an apparatus can be made in a simple and economic manner by injection moulding or similar methods from a rigid plastics material.

Claims

1. An apparatus for counteracting hyperventilation, comprising a substantially closed container with a blow/ suction mouth piece or opening and an additional outflow/ inflow opening, characterised in that said container is constructed as a box with rigid walls consisting of at least two parts (1, 2) which fit into one another and are mutually slidable, one part (1) being provided with the mouth piece (8, 9), which container, in the extended condition, has a volume which is suitable for the oxygen reduction to be obtained, and its dimensions, in the collapsed condition, having a reduced magnitude suitable for being stored, .and are in particular approximately being halved.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that the parts are provided with stops (4, 4'; 7) restricting the ex- tension length.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, characterised in that at least the stops of one part (2) are constructed as resilient claws (4, 4' ) allowing the parts (1, 2) to be released.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1..3, character- ised in that one of the parts, in particular the part (2) not provided with the mouth piece (8, 9), comprises a plurality of openings (10, 10' ) to be wholly or partly covered by a finger.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1..4, character¬ ised in that the part (1) provided with the mouth piece (9) is provided with a converging terminal portion (8).