Abstract: A sleep apnea device with bleed for exhaling including a peripheral wall formed with an interior through passage formed with a proximally facing seat, bleed passages in the wall bypassing the seat and a ball to close against the seat.

Abstract: A sleep apnea cannula harness device including sleep apnea cannula bodies configured with distal radial flanges of predetermined exterior diameters and cylindrical elastic barrel walls defining barrels, the walls having a relaxed configuration with the inside diameters smaller than the predetermined diameters so the peripheral walls will grip the exterior diameters of the cannula bodies. The barrel walls are formed distally with annular cups receiving diametrically enlarged flanges of the cannula bodies and being formed with posteriorly facing clearance notches to confront the patient's upper lip and provide clearance for such upper lip.

Abstract: Nasal cannula devices formed with through air-flow passages and circular membranes anchored centrally to retainers and operative upon inhaling by the patient to raise off the peripheral edges of respective seats for free flow of air into the nasal passages and, further, operative upon exhalation by the patient to seat on the seats. The invention further includes a method introducing the cannula devices with cushioning rings to cushion against the walls of the walls of the nasal passages. In another method the invention includes manufacturing a barrel with proximal and distal glands to friction fit on a shell formed in the body of the cannula and receiving an annular retainer friction fit in the distal cannula to mount a sealing membrane.

Abstract: A sleep apnea device with bleed for exhaling including a peripheral wall formed with an interior through passage formed with a proximally facing seat, bleed passages in the wall bypassing the seat and a ball to close against the seat.

Abstract: A pair of harness barrels configured for receipt in a patient's nasal passages, formed with open passages for receipt for respective valve plugs, and configured exteriorly with radially projecting resilient fins for engaging the walls of the patient's nasal passages and press radially outwardly against the nasal walls for positive sealing and firm gripping.

Abstract: A CPAP device including tubular bodies for insertion in the nasal passages and formed with through-airflow passages. The bodies are formed with interior chambers configured on their distal ends with proximally facing valve seats and at their proximal extremities with retainer stops to retain rounded poppets in the passages to be seated against the respective seats to partially block exhalation of air. The method of the present invention includes selecting a tubular body formed with a distal radial flange circumscribing an inlet and proximally facing seat and formed proximally with a male gland, selecting a cap formed with a female gland for friction fit over the male gland and an outlet configured with radially inwardly projecting stops cooperating to maintain a poppet captive between such stops and the seat, and selecting a harness including a pair of elastic barrels for fitting over the tubular housing end caps when connected together, and including a bridge strap connected therebetween.

Abstract: Nasal cannula devices formed with through air-flow passages and circular membranes anchored centrally to retainers and operative upon inhaling by the patient to raise off the peripheral edges of respective seats for free flow of air into the nasal passages and, further, operative upon exhalation by the patient to seat on the seats. The invention further includes a method introducing the cannula devices with cushioning rings to cushion against the walls of the walls of the nasal passages. In another method the invention includes manufacturing a barrel with proximal and distal glands to friction fit on a shell formed in the body of the cannula and receiving an annular retainer friction fit in the distal cannula to mount a sealing membrane.

Abstract: Nasal cannula devices for insertion in a sleep apnea patient's nasal passages, the device is formed with through air-flow passages and having circular membranes operative upon inhaling by the patient to open for free flow of air into the nasal passages and, further, operative upon exhalation by the patient to block expiration by the patient. The invention further includes a method of providing for free flow of air into a patient's nasal passages upon inhaling and blocking air-flow form the nasal passages during exhalation.