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Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suf

Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

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Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suf

Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough. said oxygen/fuel mixture, said throat also configured to be in communication with said combustion chamber, such that said oxygen/fuel mixture can pass from said localized gas chamber through said throat and to said combustion chamber; andan electrical heating device configured to heat said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion such that said oxygen/fuel mixture is at least eventually ignited within said combustion chamber.2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion is tubular and said heating device is electrical resistance wire.3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an ignitor apparatus passageway-defining portion which allows said gaseous fluid to communicate between said localized gas chamber and said combustion chamber, such that said gaseous fluid can mix with said fuel from said inlet port within said localized gas chamber.4. An apparatus for igniting fuel supplied from a supply port such that said fuel combusts within a combustion chamber, said apparatus comprising: a) an ignitor apparatus portion defining an inlet port for accepting said fuel from said supply port;b) an ignitor apparatus portion for directing said fuel through a localized gas chamber spaced from said combustion chamber, said localized gas chamber having a gaseous fluid including oxygen therein such that said fuel is mixed with oxygen to provide an oxygen/fuel mixture;c) an ignitor apparatus portion for directing said oxygen/fuel mixture through an ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion defining a throat having opposing first and second ends, said first end in communication with said localized gas chamber and said second end in communication with said combustion chamber, such that said oxygen/fuel mixture passes from said localized gas chamber into said throat and at least partially into said combustion chamber; andd) an electrical heater for heating said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion such that said oxygen-fuel mixture is ignited within said throat and said combustion chamber.5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion is tubular and said heating device is electrical resistance wire.6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising an ignitor apparatus passageway-defining portion which allows said gaseous fluid to communicate between said localized gas chamber and said combustion chamber, such that said said gaseous fluid can mix with said fuel from said inlet port within said localized gas chamber.7. A method of igniting fuel supplied from a supply port such that said fuel combusts within a combination chamber, said method comprising the steps of: a) accepting said fuel from said supply port;b) directing said fuel through a localized gas chamber spaced from said combustion chamber, said localized gas chamber having a gaseous fluid including oxygen therein such that said fuel is mixed with oxygen to provide oxygen/fuel mixture;c) directing said oxygen/fuel mixture through an ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion defining a throat having opposing first and second ends, said first end in communication with said localized gas chamber and said second end in communication with said combustion chamber, such that said oxygen/fuel mixture passes into said throat and at least partially into said combustion chamber; andd) heating said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion such that said oxygen-fuel mixture is ignited within said throat and is also ignited within said combustion chamber.8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said heating of said ignitor apparatus throat-defining portion is done by the use of electrical resistance heating.9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein in step “b”, said gaseous fluid is taken from at le