The Portable Respiratory Promptertm device is a deceptively simple, stand-alone device to prompt patients into desired breathing patterns. Although the visual and auditory prompting signals provided are indeed very simple, you will find there is a surprising degree of sophistication inherent in the system design of the device.
The object of the device is to take high technology breathing training out of the laboratory / hospital / clinic environment and into the home and work environment, or even into critical and hazardous situations such as scuba diving and aircraft pilot training.
The schematic drawing of the device is as follows:
2 and 3 are Inspiration and Expirations LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes).
4 is the Sound Generator.
5, 6, 7, 8, 9 are control switches.
16 is a manual override Rescue Button, to be activated at times of respiratory distress. When pressed this prolongs the Expiration Time by 25%.
The upper figure indicates Inspiration, with the Inspiration LED blinking, while the Sound Generator emits a "beep" (high pitched) signal.
The lower figure indicates Expiration, with the Expiration LED blinking, while the Sound Generator emits a "beep" (low pitched) signal.
When the manual override Rescue Button (16) is activated the Expiration Time is prolonged 25%. The Expiration LED blinks continuously, and the Sound Generator emits a series of "beeps" to further prompt the patient to concentrate their breathing on the signals. This will slow the respiratory rate and promote lung deflation to progressively correct any Dynamic Hyperinflation. When comfortable the patient deactivates the Rescue Button.
Optionally the Sound Generator may be turned off.
Patients with COPD / Emphysema / Asthma commonly exacerbate their episodes of shortness of breath (dyspnea) by developing a condition known as "Air Trapping" or "Dynamic Hyperinflation" when they breathe faster in an attempt to relieve their dyspnea. (See the discussion on the Rescue Breathing Pattern by clicking on Theory&Papers in the navigation bar at the top of this page.)
The basic problem of COPD and Asthma is "Airway Obstructive Disease" which makes it much harder to get air out of the lungs, and if breathing faster and faster the last breath of air has progressively more difficulty in getting exhaled. The result is progressive over-filling of the lungs, which makes it very difficult to take in a breath of fresh air as there is insufficient room for this much needed fresh air.
The Portable Respiratory Promptertm is designed to relieve this Dynamic Hyperinflation because it specifically addresses the two fundamental physiologic lesions causing the problem:
First, the respiratory rate is slowed down, to the normal respiratory rate, thereby interrupting the fundamental trigger of Dynamic Hyperinflation.
Second, the expiration time is prolonged, thereby giving the trapped air more time to escape. Also, this will slow down the overall respiratory rate even more.
Using the PRPtm device promptly, before extreme dyspnea has developed, should result in substantial progressive relief within ten or so breaths. The Rescue Button may then be turned off, while continuing to focus on slow, gentle breathing while fully recovering.
Patients who have had prior training with the Biofeedback Incentive Systemtm should have even better results with the PRPtm device, because they have had prior training with specifically prescribed corrective breathing patterns which are now being activated by the PRPtm prompting signals. (For details on the BIStm biofeedback training system, click on BIS in the navigation bar at the top of this page.)
This is the breakthrough concept behind the PRPtm device. The Biofeedback Incentive Systemtm efficiently teaches complex breathing patterns, and the simple prompting signals of the PRPtm device triggers these complex breathing patterns.
Patients with Hyperventilation Syndrome will benefit benefit from using the PRPtm device because, as noted above, slowing of the respiratory rate is fundamental to solving this problem. Use during Panic Attacks may be particularly advantageous.
For those occasional Hyperventilation Syndrome patients who are symptomatic at relatively low respiratory rates (i.e. they are breathing too deeply), corrective breathing pattern training with the Biofeedback Incentive Systemtm should be considered.
This inventive concept was awarded US Patent 6,626,843 under the name Respiratory Timing and Lung Deflation Method and Device on September 30, 2003.
You may download a copy of this patent from the US Patent Office at
< http://www.uspto.gov/ >. In the upper right corner use the pull-down menu and select "Patents." In the next page in the "Issued Patents" section, click on "Patent Number Search" and in the following enter the patent number 6626843. To view and download the related graphics you will need a .TIFF graphics reader. The AlternaTIFF plug-in reader is free, and may be obtained at < http://www.alternatiff.com/ >. Preferably use the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser (Netscape is more complicated to install) and download the appropriate .ZIP file.
The Portable Respiratory Promptertm is based on sound physiologic principals. It is a practical and economic solution for preventing and/or correcting common dyspnea exacerbation problems in COPD, Emphysema, Asthma, and Hyperventilation Syndrome patients.