Septi-Cannula

Abstract

A nasal cannula including a manifold having a delivery channel and a collection channel fluidly connected to a delivery nasal prong for delivering a gas to be inhaled from a patient's nose and to a collection prong for collecting gas exhaled from the patient's nose. The prongs are composed of a resilient material having sufficient memory that allows the prongs to be resiliently spread apart to be inserted into the respective nares of the patient's nose and when released, gently grasp the columella of the patient's nose to secure the cannula in position. The prongs are oriented leftwardly or rightwardly of the channels so that the right or left portions of the patient's face remain unobscured during surgery.

Claims

1. A nasal cannula comprising in combination: a manifold having a delivery channel and a collection channel for respective fluid connection to a delivery tube delivering a gas to be inhaled from a patient's nose and a collection tube for collecting gas exhaled from the patient's nose; delivery nasal prong and a collection nasal prong fluidly respectively connected to said delivery channel and said collection channel of said manifold, said channels being curvilinear at approximately ninety degrees such that the tubes and said prongs are oriented approximately ninety degrees relative to one another; and said delivery and collection nasal prongs respectively comprising internal delivery and collection channels and comprising an arcuate configuration facing one another to define a space between respective ends thereof, said prongs being composed of a resilient material having sufficient memory that allows said prongs to be resiliently spread apart to increase said space allowing said ends to be inserted into the respective nares of the patient's nose and when released, move said ends to gently grasp a columella of the patient's nose.

2. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 1, further including comfort pads on facing surfaces of said ends.

3. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 1, wherein a gas may be delivered through the delivery tube, then through said delivery channel of said manifold, then through said delivery channel of said delivery nasal prong into the nare in which said delivery nasal prong is inserted and wherein exhaust gas from the patient may be collected from the nare in which said collection nasal prong is inserted by flowing through said collection channel of said collection nasal prong, then through said collection channel of said manifold and then through said collection tube.

4. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 1, wherein said manifold and said nasal prongs are one-piece injection molded with their respective said channels.

5. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivery and collection tubes are solvent-welded into annular seats formed in said manifold.

6. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said nasal prongs includes a living hinge that allows easier resilient spreading of said nasal prongs apart so they can be more easily spread apart for insertion into the patient's nose and yet still have sufficient resiliency when released to grasp the columella with sufficient force to preclude them from inadvertent releasing the columella during surgery.

7. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 6, wherein said living hinge facing outwardly and comprises an accordion-shaped wall.

8. A nasal cannula comprising in combination, a manifold having a delivery channel and right and left collection channels for respective fluid connection to a delivery tube and a collection tube; a left nasal prong and a right nasal prong both fluidly connected to said delivery channel and said collection channels; said delivery channel and said collection channels in said manifold being curvilinear at approximately ninety degrees such that the tubes and said prongs are oriented approximately ninety degrees relative to one another; and said prongs each comprising an arcuate configuration facing one another to define a space between respective ends thereof, said prongs being composed of a resilient material having sufficient memory that allows said prongs to be resiliently spread apart to increase said space allowing said ends to be inserted into the respective nares of the patient's nose and when released, move said ends to gently grasp the columella.

9. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 8, further including comfort pads affixed on facing surfaces of said ends.

10. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 8, wherein said right collection channel extends on a right side of said manifold and said left collection channel extends on a left side of said manifold.

11. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 10, wherein said right and left collection channels are fluidly connected together by a bypass channel extending transversely through said manifold such that when the collection tube is directly connected to said right collection channel, the collection tube is indirectly connected via said bypass channel to said left collection channel.

12. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 8, wherein said left and right nasal prongs each comprise an internal delivery channel and an external collection channel formed on the outside of said prong.

13. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 12, wherein said external collection channels extend to respective said ends of said prongs.

14. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 12, wherein said external collection channels stop an appreciable distance from respective said ends of said prongs.

15. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 11, wherein a gas may be delivered through the delivery tube, then through said delivery channel of said manifold, then through said delivery channel of said the nasal prongs into the patient's nares and wherein exhaust gas from the patient may be collected from the patient's nares by flowing through said collection channel of said nasal prongs, then through said collection channels and said bypass channel of said manifold and then through the collection tube.

16. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 8, wherein said manifold and said nasal prongs are one-piece injection molded with their respective said channels.

17. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 8, wherein said delivery and collection tubes are solvent-welded into annular seats formed in said manifold.

18. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 8, wherein at least one of said nasal prongs includes a living hinge that allows easier resilient spreading of said nasal prongs apart so they can be more easily spread apart for insertion into the patient's nose and yet still have sufficient resiliency when released to grasp the columella with sufficient force to preclude them from inadvertent releasing the columella during surgery.

19. The nasal cannula as set forth in claim 18, wherein said living hinge faces outwardly and comprises an accordion-shaped wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the nasal cannula of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a left elevational view thereof;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top elevational view thereof;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along lines 5-5;

[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B are front elevational views showing the nasal cannula oriented rightwardly and leftwardly, respectively;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the nasal cannula of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view thereof;

[0027] FIG. 9 is a left elevational view thereof;

[0028] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 along lines 10-10 of FIG. 9;

[0029] FIG. 11 is a top elevational view thereof;

[0030] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 along lines 12-12; and

[0031] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 along lines 13-13.

[0032] Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The first embodiment of the nasal cannula 10 of the invention is disclosed in FIGS. 1-6 whereas the second embodiment is disclosed in FIGS. 7-13.

[0034] In the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the nasal cannula 10 comprises a manifold 12 having a delivery channel 18 and a collection channel 20 respectively fluidly connected to a delivery tube 14 and a collection tube 16 (see FIG. 5). The delivery channel 18 and the collection channel 20 of the manifold 12 are also fluidly connected to a delivery nasal prong 22 and a collection nasal prong 24, respectively. The channels 18 and 20 in the manifold 12 are both curvilinear at approximately ninety degrees such that the tubes 14 & 16 and the prongs 22 & 24 are oriented approximately 90 degrees relative to one another.

[0035] The delivery and collection nasal prongs 22 and 24 comprise internal delivery and collection channels 26 and 28, respectively. The delivery and collection prongs 22 and 24 preferably each comprise an arcuate configuration facing one another to define a space 30 between the respective ends 32 and 34 thereof. The prongs 22 and 24 are composed of a resilient material having sufficient memory that allows the prongs 22 and 24 to be resiliently spread apart to increase the space 30 allowing the ends 32 and 34 to be inserted into the respective nares of the patient's nose. When released, the material's resilient memory moves the ends 32 and 34 toward their original at-rest position to gently grasp the columella. It is noted that comfort pads 36 may be provided on the facing surfaces of the ends 32 and 34 for added comfort.

[0036] In operation, a gas such as oxygen may be delivered through the delivery tube 14, then through the delivery channel 18 of the manifold 12, then through the delivery channel 26 of the delivery nasal prong 22 into the nare in which the delivery nasal prong 22 is inserted. Exhaust gas from the patient, such as carbon dioxide, may be collected from the nare in which the collection nasal prong 24 is inserted by flowing through the collection channel 28 of the collection nasal prong 24, then through the collection channel 20 of the manifold 12 and then through the collection tube 16.

[0037] Preferably, the manifold 12 and the nasal prongs 22 and 24 are one-piece injection molded with their respective channels 18 &. 20 and 22 & 24. Also preferably, during assembly during manufacturing, the delivery and collection tubes 14 and 16 are solvent-welded into annular seats 38 and 40 formed in the manifold 12.

[0038] Optionally, one or both of the nasal prongs 22 and 24 may include a living hinge 42 facing outwardly, such as an area composed of an accordion-shaped wall, that allows easier resilient spreading of the nasal prongs 22 and 24 apart so they can be more easily spread apart for insertion into the patient's nose and yet still have sufficient resiliency when released to grasp the columella with sufficient force to preclude them from inadvertent releasing the columella during surgery.

[0039] Importantly, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the nasal cannula 10 of the invention may be oriented rightwardly (FIG. 6A) or leftwardly (FIG. 6B) when inserted into the patient's nose such that the delivery and collection tubes 14 and 16 extend unidirectionally in the same direction. In this manner, if for example the surgical site is the patient's left cheek area, the nasal cannula 10 may be oriented rightwardly (FIG. 6A) so that the tubes 14 and 16 extend rightwardly and do not obstruct or otherwise compromise the surgical site on the patient's left cheek. Conversely, if for example the surgical site is the patient's right cheek area, the nasal cannula 10 may be oriented leftwardly (FIG. 6B) so that the tubes 14 and 16 extend leftwardly and do not obstruct or otherwise compromise the surgical site on the patient's right cheek.

[0040] Turning now to the second embodiment of the nasal cannula 50 of the invention shown in FIGS. 7-13, the nasal cannula 10 comprises a manifold 52 having a delivery channel 58 and a pair of right and left collection channels 60R and 60L respectively fluidly connected to a delivery tube 54 and a collection tube 56 (see FIG. 10).

[0041] More specifically, the right collection channel 60R preferably extends on the right side of the manifold 52 whereas the left collection channel 60L preferably extends on the left side of the manifold 52. The right and left collection channels 60R and 60L are fluidly connected together by a bypass channel 60B extending transversely through the manifold 52. When the collection tube 56 is directly connected to the right collection channel 60R, it is also indirectly fluidly connected via the bypass channel 60B to the left collection channel 60L.

[0042] The delivery channel 58 and the left and right collection channels 60L and 60R of the manifold 52 are fluidly connected to a left nasal prong 62L and a right nasal prong 62R respectively. The delivery channel 58 and the collection channels 60L and 60B in the manifold 52 are curvilinear at approximately ninety degrees such that the tubes 54 & 56 and the prongs 621, & 62R are oriented approximately 90 degrees relative to one another.

[0043] The left and right nasal prongs 62L & 62R each comprise an internal delivery channel 66 and an external collection channel 68 formed on the outside of the prong 62L & 62R. The external collection channels 68 may extend to the respective ends 72L & 72R of the prongs 62L & 62R; however, preferably they stop an appreciable distance from the respective ends 72L & 72R of the prongs 62L & 62R as shown in FIG. 10.

[0044] The prongs 62L & 62R preferably each comprise an arcuate configuration facing one another to define a space 70 between the respective ends 72L & 72R thereof. As in the first embodiment, the prongs 62L & 62R are composed of a resilient material having sufficient memory that allows the prongs 62L & 62R to be resiliently spread apart to increase the space 70 allowing the ends 72L & 72R to be inserted into the respective nares of the patient's nose. When released, the material's resilient memory moves the ends 72L & 72R toward their original at-rest position to gently grasp the columella. It is noted that comfort pads 76 may be provided on the facing surfaces of the ends 72L & 72R for added comfort.

[0045] in operation, a gas such as oxygen may be delivered through the delivery tube 54, then through the delivery channel 58 of the manifold 52, then through the delivery channel 66 of the nasal prongs 62L & 62R into the nares. Exhaust gas from the patient, such as carbon dioxide, may be collected from the nares by flowing through the collection channel 68 of the nasal prongs 62L & 62R, then through the collection channels 60L &60R and the bypass channel 60B of the manifold 12 and then through the collection tube 56.

[0046] Preferably, as in the case of the first embodiment, the manifold 52 and the nasal prongs 62L & 62R are one-piece injection molded with their respective channels 58 and 60. Also preferably, during assembly during manufacturing, the delivery and collection tubes 54 and 56 are solvent-welded into annular seats 78 and 80 formed in the manifold 52.

[0047] Optionally, as in the case of the first embodiment, one or both of the nasal prongs 62L & 62R may include a living hinge 82 facing outwardly, such as an facing area composed of an accordion-shaped wall, that allows easier resilient spreading of the nasal prongs 62L & 62R apart so they can be more easily spread apart for insertion into the patient's nose and yet still have sufficient resiliency when released to grasp the columella with sufficient force to preclude them from inadvertent releasing the columella during surgery.

[0048] Importantly, as in the case of the first embodiment, the nasal cannula 50 of the invention may be oriented rightwardly or leftwardly when inserted into the patient's nose such that the delivery and collection tubes 54 and 56 extend unidirectionally in the same direction. In this manner, if for example the surgical site is the patient's left cheek area, the nasal cannula 50 may be oriented rightwardly so that the tubes 54 and 56 extend rightwardly and do not obstruct or otherwise compromise the surgical site on the patient's left cheek. Conversely, if for example the surgical site is the patient's right cheek area, the nasal cannula 50 may be reversed and oriented leftwardly so that the tubes 54 and 56 extend leftwardly and do not obstruct or otherwise compromise the surgical site on the patient's right cheek.

[0049] It should be appreciated that since the nasal cannula 10 & 50 is reversible, references to “left” and “right” throughout the Specification and the claims are for convenience only and are not limiting to the structure or operation of either embodiments of the nasal cannula 10 & 50.

[0050] The present invention includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this description has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, combination, or arrangement of parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0051] Now that the invention has been described,