A U.S. Patent application has been published on a new, more rapid and effective method of using oxygen to abort a cluster headache. The method involves a specific sequence and rate of breathing combined with a readily available oxygen demand valve.  “Just using a demand valve” does not generate the same results without the specific method of breathing being employed. 

Based on pilot study data, the method can reduce abort times by as much as 50% versus traditional continuous flow methods at a flow rate of 15 lpm even at high headache pain levels and can significantly reduce re-attacks. 

This makes use of low cost oxygen an even more attractive alternative to relying on expensive sumatriptan injections.  Use of a demand valve eliminates the high volume of wasted oxygen and fire safety issues that a comparably high continuous flow rate delivery system would represent.

The inventors are 2 cluster headache suffers, Peter Batcheller and Michael Berger, and, Royce Fishman while a Director in the Business Development group at Linde Healthcare, The Linde Group. 

In order to provide information on this alternative method of oxygen therapy to sufferers, the full published US Patent application has been posted at the link below.  The content of the Patent application also presents to any knowledgeable reader in the medical industry some interesting additional opportunities to further improve the management of cluster headache.

The Patent application which includes over 60 references, is also an excellent background review of the medical literature as of Spring 2008 regarding oxygen as an abortive.

We hope that the information in this Patent application raises the interest of all oxygen suppliers and device manufacturers, about oxygen therapy and related potential new medical device opportunities that could be developed for managing cluster headache.

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Way to go guys!  That is one heck of a write up on the patent.  It seemed to me to be a write up of anything and everything you ever wanted to know about ch.  I would think a recomended reading for anyone affected by ch.  Thanks for your contribution to our cause!! 

So if Batch gets the patent, I can't hyperventilate without his permission?

Bob P wrote on Jan 8^th, 2010 at 7:29am:

So if Batch gets the patent, I can't hyperventilate without his permission?

;D ;D

I'm trying to understand this part:

"Use of a demand valve eliminates the high volume of wasted oxygen and fire safety issues that a comparably high continuous flow rate delivery system would represent."

If I breath every bit of the O2 coming from my regulator (via the bag) how does a demand valve reduce waste and fire hazard? Can't see it - maybe I'm just simple minded.

Either way, I'm happy that the word is spreading about what I've been calling "Hyper Flow O2 Therapy"  (Maybe I need to copywrite that!  ;D)

Marc

I cannot understand why someone would patent this...

I admire the work you guys have done. Thank you. :)

Sanna

Quote:

I cannot understand why someone would patent this...

Or how one would enforce such a patent if it were granted.  The equipment is already patented by others.  Perhaps each time a Doctor prescribes high flow O2 they would have to pay Batch a fee.
Kinda like Harley trying to patent the "sound" of their engine.

If I see one infomercial pitching the product using that Shamwow guy then I'm giving up clusterheadaches forever.

(If only  8-))

Bob P wrote on Jan 8^th, 2010 at 7:29am:

So if Batch gets the patent, I can't hyperventilate without his permission?

I use my 60 lpm regulator so I can hyperventilate without permission  :P

Btw. excellent work!

One thing I know about the compressed air industry (and any other industry these days) is that it is very "patent" hungry. In the private sector it is akin to what the university professor would get excited about as "being published". I have a friend who can list the patents he has in various configurations of compressed air equipment.

Aside from that I believe it will be nice to be able to take a patented/approved process to a doctor to ask for prescriptions for the equipment. When I first pushed my doc to get me oxygen and I told him the flow levels (then only 10-15 lpm) he gave me harsh disapproval until I verbally browbeat him. So having something in our hand that illustrates the high flow-demand valve aspect of this thing is another bonus with the patent.

It will, in all likelihood, also allow various air suppliers/medical O2 suppliers to even be able to order the high flow - demand valves.

So the patent is a very good thing for us in these ways.
Great job Batch!!!!

Scott

Wanted to add to my comment above... it's not that I think it's a bad thing.  Anything that could help a clusterhead is a good thing.  I honestly just don't understand the need for a patent.  A patent just establishes ownership of certain intellectual property.  If I had some proven method for using off-the-shelf items to get relief, I don't think I'd patent it.  Maybe I'm missing something here.

Good work, none the less.  Seriously good stuff.

ALL GOOD!

maybe we won't have to educate the O2 people every time!

I know most of you are pulling Pete's chain, but I think this is a big breakthru for Clusters...

If you'll check you'll see that LInde holds the patent. Michael and Pete just did the inventing. Linde did R&D on it.

But it's made a big difference in the way I abort with O2 and I'm real glad the guys did all the work to come up with it. The old way just wasn't aborting my attacks as quick as this.

Anyhow that's my 2 cents on it. I"m for anything that helps us that suffer.

Hugs BD :-*

I just printed it off the ol Phaser Laser, and am going to be in Danville tomorrow morning at the VA Pulminary Dept. I'm in the mood for dope slapping one of the little weasels with this just to see what I can get out of the little screws. Just as an educational exercise you understand. No malicious intent, or anything like that behind it. My O2 "  Prescription "   is due to be renewed tomorrow you see.
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