Eye Hydration Device Adapted for Employment With CPAP

Abstract

A device for maintaining a moisture cavity surrounding the eye of a user is provided, which employs a flexible body configured for positioning on the face of the user with a cavity defined by a curved sidewall positioned in front of each eye of the user. The cavity prevents communication of the exterior atmosphere with the air within the cavity and thereby maintains an environment in each cavity suitable to maintain natural eye moisture. The body is configurable to engage to the face of the user concurrent with the engagement of a CPAP device and may be adapted for engagement as part of the CPAP device. Curved sidewalls forming each cavity are optically correct and transparent to maintain the vision of the user during use.

Claims

1. An apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity surrounding the eye of a user, comprising: a body having a perimeter edge, said body having a first surface within said perimeter edge, said body having a second surface opposite said first surface; said body having a first eye chamber and having a second eye chamber; said body positionable to an as-used position with said first surface in contact with a face of said user; said body in said as-used position being positioned for a removable engagement with a CPAP mask operatively positioned upon said user; said first eye chamber defining a first moisture cavity in communication with a first of two eyes of a user, with said body positioned to said as-used position; said second eye chamber defining a second moisture cavity in communication with a second of two eyes of a user, with said body positioned to said as-used position; and said first moisture cavity and said second moisture cavity maintaining a respective interior air supply sealed therein; each said respective interior air supply being isolated from the atmosphere outside each respective of said first moisture cavity and said second moisture cavity, whereby moisture in each of said first eye of said user and said second eye of said user is prevented from evaporating into said atmosphere outside said first moisture cavity and said second moisture cavity respectively.

2. The apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity surrounding the eye of a user of claim 1, additionally comprising: a central portion of said body located between said first eye chamber and said second eye chamber; a first extension having a first end engaged with said central portion of said body; said first extension projecting from said perimeter edge of said body to a distal end of said first extension; and a connection between said first extension and said CPAP mask forming said removable engagement with said CPAP mask.

3. The apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity adjacent each eye of a user of claim 2, additionally comprising: said connection between said first extension and said CPAP mask being a sandwiched positioning of said first extension in between said CPAP mask and said face of said user.

4. The apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity adjacent each eye of a user of claim 2 additionally comprising: said connection between said first extension and said CPAP mask comprises fasteners having separable fastener halves positioned on said first extension located in positions to register with and engage with complimentary fastener halves which are positioned on said CPAP mask.

5. The apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity adjacent each eye of a user of claim 1 additionally comprising: said first eye chamber having a first sidewall in sealed engagement around a first opening communicating through said body, said first sidewall projecting away from said second surface of said body in a first shape; said second eye chamber having a second sidewall in sealed engagement around a second opening communicating through said body, said second sidewall projecting away from said second surface of said body in a second shape; said first sidewall is formed of pliable material deforms from said first shape during contact thereof with bedding contacting said face of said user, and which returns to said first shape upon cessation of such contact; and said second sidewall is formed of said pliable material which deforms from said second shape during contact thereof with said bedding contacting said face of said user, and which returns to said second shape upon cessation of such contact.

6. The apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity adjacent each eye of a user of claim 2 additionally comprising: said first eye chamber having a first sidewall in sealed engagement around a first opening communicating through said body, said first sidewall projecting away from said second surface of said body in a first shape; said second eye chamber having a second sidewall in sealed engagement around a second opening communicating through said body, said second sidewall projecting away from said second surface of said body in a second shape; said first sidewall is formed of pliable material deforms from said first shape during contact thereof with bedding contacting said face of said user, and which returns to said first shape upon cessation of such contact; and said second sidewall is formed of said pliable material which deforms from said second shape during contact thereof with said bedding contacting said face of said user, and which returns to said second shape upon cessation of such contact.

7. The apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity adjacent each eye of a user of claim 3 additionally comprising: said first eye chamber having a first sidewall in sealed engagement around a first opening communicating through said body, said first sidewall projecting away from said second surface of said body in a first shape; said second eye chamber having a second sidewall in sealed engagement around a second opening communicating through said body, said second sidewall projecting away from said second surface of said body in a second shape; said first sidewall is formed of pliable material deforms from said first shape during contact thereof with bedding contacting said face of said user, and which returns to said first shape upon cessation of such contact; and said second sidewall is formed of said pliable material which deforms from said second shape during contact thereof with said bedding contacting said face of said user, and which returns to said second shape upon cessation of such contact.

8. The apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity adjacent each eye of a user of claim 4 additionally comprising: said first eye chamber having a first sidewall in sealed engagement around a first opening communicating through said body, said first sidewall projecting away from said second surface of said body in a first shape; said second eye chamber having a second sidewall in sealed engagement around a second opening communicating through said body, said second sidewall projecting away from said second surface of said body in a second shape; said first sidewall is formed of pliable material deforms from said first shape during contact thereof with bedding contacting said face of said user, and which returns to said first shape upon cessation of such contact; and said second sidewall is formed of said pliable material which deforms from said second shape during contact thereof with said bedding contacting said face of said user, and which returns to said second shape upon cessation of such contact.

9. The apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity adjacent each eye of a user of claim 2 additionally comprising: a secondary extension having a first end thereof engaged with said body at said central portion and projecting away from said perimeter of said body in an opposite direction to that of said first extension, to a distal end of said secondary extension; and said body in said as-used position positioning a portion of said secondary extension in between said first end and said second end thereof, in a contact with a forehead of said user.

10. The apparatus for maintaining a moisture cavity adjacent each eye of a user of claim 6 additionally comprising: a secondary extension having a first end thereof engaged with said body at said central portion and projecting away from said perimeter of said body in an opposite direction to that of said first extension, to a distal end of said secondary extension; and said body in said as-used position positioning a portion of said secondary extension in between said first end and said second end thereof, in a contact with a forehead of said user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0037] In the drawing figures, which are not to scale and which are merely illustrative and wherein like reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a mode of the facemask apparatus formed of a flexible flange portion and having two curved sidewalls in sealed engagement with eye apertures formed in the body of the facemask.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a view of another mode of the device wherein the facemask has a projecting flexible member portion extending from the flange in a position aligning with the user's nose when worn to provide both a pad and engagement with the engaged CPAP mask.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another mode of the facemask apparatus similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 but having a secondary member portion extending away from the flange in an opposite direction.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another mode of the facemask apparatus similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 but having a wider first projecting portion for additional padding when used with a CPAP.

[0042] FIG. 5 depicts a user attempting sleep with a conventional CPAP device and showing the exposed eyes adjacent the CPAP device.

[0043] FIG. 6 depicts a user as in FIG. 5 having a CPAP device engaged while in bed and having the device herein operatively engaged to the face in an as-used position to maintain eye moisture.

[0044] FIG. 7 depicts a user as in FIG. 6, and showing the device herein having the sealing flange and two chambers and being configured for an engagement to the as-used position in combination with a CPAP device.

[0045] FIG. 8 shows a mode of the device having separable fastener halves with mater to complimentary fastener halves positioned on a CPAP device for use in combination therewith.

[0046] FIG. 9 shows the device configured to engage with a malleable or formable clip which engages over a projecting portion extending from the flange.

[0047] FIG. 10 depicts the device of FIG. 9, but with the user formable clip engaged within the projection portion.

[0048] FIG. 11 shows a mode of the device having a first projecting portion to pad the nose of the user which includes a raised ridge configured to engage a recess in a CPAP mask and a secondary projection portion extending for engagement with the CPAP device above the eyes of the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0049] Referring now to the drawings of FIGS. 1-11 there are shown various aspects of the device 10 and method herein. Shown in FIG. 1 there can be seen a perspective view of the mask 12 of the device 10, as it would be held in a biased engagement of a flange 13 portion of the body 20 against a user's face, to form individual substantially sealed controlled environments in front of each respective eye.

[0050] The device 10 may be held in the biased engagement against the face by a flexible member such as a strap 14, or operatively engaged using fasteners engaged between positions on the separable fasteners a face-affixed CPAP mask 21 (FIG. 5 or 6), or both. The fasteners 17 engaged between the CPAP mask 21 and the body 20 of the mask 12 may be separable where complimentary halves are respectively engaged in mating positions upon the CPAP mask 21 and the body 20 of the mask 12. Alternatively, the fasteners 17 may be permanent such as sewing, grommets, riveting, screws, or other permanently engaged, or separable fasteners as might be employed by those skilled in the art and found in the W.W. Grainger, Inc. catalog sections of permanent or separable fasteners.

[0051] Whether held by a strap 14 or fasteners 17 of a permanent or separable configuration, or combinations thereof, the device 10 is held in position on the face of a user in the as-worn position during use such as in FIG. 6, or may simply be held by a strap 14 without the CPAP 21 device. In the as-worn position, each of two chambers 18 formed by a curved sidewall 28, is aligned with a respective one of the user's eyes. This forms an individual respective sealed eye chamber in front of each eye 27 (FIG. 4), defined by the sealed engagement of the flexible and preferably elastic flange 13 of the body 20 of the mask 12 at eye-surrounding apertures 31.

[0052] Adjacent each aperture 31 is a sealed engagement of a base circumference 26 of a curved sidewall 28. A substantially sealed chamber is thus formed in front of each eye of the user defined by the interior of the sidewall 28 and the skin surrounding the user's eye 27 in sealed engagement with the flange 13 of the body 20 of the mask 12. As noted, the flange 13 portion is preferably soft and flexible and at least slightly elastic to allow it to stretch and deform along the contours of the face of the user to achieve a good seal.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 the device 10 is formed to a mask 12 configuration, having a body 20 with a first extension 23 portion which extends toward and in front of the forehead of the user with the mask 12 in the as-used position. Also shown in FIG. 1 are optional moisture pads 30 which are specifically shaped to engage with the sidewall 28, within each chamber 18, out of the optic or straight-ahead view of the user to preserve unobstructed forward viewing through the transparent sidewall 28 during use.

[0054] For CPAP use, the first extension 23 may be employed in a sandwiched position between the CPAP device 21 components and the face and may be larger or smaller in size and area as required for such an engagement or for a fastener 17 engagement as noted above.

[0055] The pads 30, if employed, will supply a reservoir of moisture for hours to the chamber 18. Thermally reactive pads 30 may also be employed to provide warm moisture to comfort the user's eyes. Such thermal reactive pads 30 may have a chemically reactive center which is broken by bending the pad 30 by the user, and which generates heat or may also be configured for cooling.

[0056] Such pads could for instance employ pads with sodium acetate, glycerin, gel packs, cold water packs, etc. to provide cold, or heat, or moisture all depending on user need and whether the device is engaged in combination with a CPAP device or employed by users with other eye drying issues such as being adjacent moving air.

[0057] Shown in FIG. 2 is another mode of the device 10 which employs a face mask 12 having a body 20 formed of flexible elastic material such as a polymeric material or silicone, or other material which is pliable and soft so as to comfortably conform to contours of an engaged face and form seals of the flange 13 with the skin surrounding each eye. The chambers 18 are also formed by a transparent sidewall 28 in the sealed engagement with the body 20 adjacent the eye-surrounding apertures 31 which are in registered positions to surround each eye. As indicated the sidewall 28 and body 20 and flange 13 may be formed of a unitary structure of the same material. Also, as noted it is preferred in all modes of the device 10 that the sidewall 28 be soft deformable material which will deform if placed between the user's face and bedding, but which will have sufficient memory shape from the curved formation or otherwise to return to the curved configuration projecting away from the second side surface of the body 20.

[0058] As noted, while preferable transparent and optically correct to allow easy and unimpaired vision therethrough for users, especially when sleeping, the sidewall 28 may be tinted if the user is treating other issues concerning unclosed eyes during sleeping. Such as noted may be on airplanes in other venues where a tinted or opaque sidewall 28 will provide a benefit from surrounding light.

[0059] In cases where some moisture is required, but air passage is also desired, apertures 39 may be formed in the sidewall 28 to provide air passage to the chamber 18 however. The apertures 39 should be formed adjacent the body 20 of the mask 12 on a lower edge of the curved sidewall 28 opposite the side of the nose of the user so that the curve and projection of the sidewall 28 still blocks any airstreams emitted by the CPAP mask or a proximate fan or moving airstream, and from cold temperatures or air which is dry in nature.

[0060] The shielding eye mask 12 herein can be configured for operative engagement in combination with the CPAP mask, as noted using separable or inseparable fasteners 17 or combinations thereof. In that mode, the body 20 is configured to be placed in the as-worn position at the same time as the CPAP mask is placed properly on the face. Alternatively, the mask 12 can be engaged separately, or can be configured to be a unitary structure as part of a CPAP mask.

[0061] In one mode of the device 10 shown in FIG. 2, a second extension 15 from the flange 13 of the flexible body 20 of the mask 12, may be positioned to align with the bridge of the user's nose, with the mask in the as-worn position. This second extension 15 provides a pad interface between the contact of the CPAP mask with the nose which is a reported issue with many users, and makes the CPAP 21 mask more comfortable to wear. Further it provides, as noted, one means for removable engagement of the mask 12 with a CPAP 21 by forming a sandwiched engagement of a portion of the mask 12 between the face and CPAP 21 device. As noted, FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another mode of the mask 12 device 10 similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3 is shown the second extension 15 having a larger width allowing a bending of the second extension 15 over a larger area of the nose in a curve similar to that shown in FIGS. 8-10. Also shown is the first extension 23 from the planar flange 13 extending in an opposite direction. Both the first and second extension are employable for the noted sandwiched engagement with the face and the CPAP 21 device. FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another mode of the mask 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2 but solely having a wider first projecting portion for additional padding when used with a CPAP 21 device.

[0062] Shown in FIG. 5 is a user attempting to sleep with a conventional CPAP 21 device engaged in an as-used position on the face. By CPAP 21 used herein is meant the hose engaged component covering the mouth or nose or both of the user along with the mounting straps and harnesses employed therewith to position the CPAP 21 device in the as-used mounted position on the user. Any engagement by fasteners 17 thereto is meant by a permanent or separable fastener located on any component of the CPAP 21 in position to attach to any portion of the body 20 of the mask 12, or to become in a sandwiched engagement therewith, or combinations thereof.

[0063] In FIG. 6 is shown the user as in FIG. 5 having a CPAP 21 device engaged using the straps and harness conventionally employed to hold it in the as-used position. In this figure the device 10 herein is shown engaged in a combination with the CPAP 21 device by one or a combination of a strap 14 or permanent or separable fasteners 17 engaged between the mask 12 body 20 and any component of the CPAP 21 device since each such CPAP 21 has slightly differing configurations, straps and harnesses which may easily be adapted to hold the mask 12 to the user using fasteners 17 and/or projections to form a sandwiched engagement of portions extending from the body 20 of the mask 12 between the CPAP 21 device and face.

[0064] FIG. 8 depicts a user as in FIG. 6, having the device 10 herein having portions of the body 20 in an engagement with the CPAP 21 with a fastener 17 and also with a sandwiched engagement of upper and lower edge portions of the body 20 in-between the CPAP 21 components and the face of the user. This positions the apertures 39 formed through the body 20 to provide the sealed chamber in front of each eye concurrent with the engagement of the CPAP 21 to an as-used position on the face of the user.

[0065] In FIG. 8 is shown a mode of the device 10 having fasteners 17 where one half of separable fastener halves are positioned on the body 20 of the mask 12 in positions to register with and engage complimentary fastener 17 halves positioned on the components of the CPAP 21 device for use in combination therewith.

[0066] FIG. 9 depicts the device 10 configured for use without the CPAP 21 device and having a malleable or formable clip 37 configured for the user to engage over a projecting second extension 15 extending from the body 20 of the mask 12. Once the projection second extension 15 is positioned above the bridge of the nose, the clip 37 may be engaged thereon to hold the second extension 15 sealed along the contours of the nose of the user. The clip 37 or clips 37 may be formed into the body 20 of the mask 12 as shown in FIG. 10.

[0067] In FIG. 11 is depicted a mode of the device 10 having a body 20 of the mask 12 with a raised ridge 41 extending from the second surface of the body 20 of the mask 12. This ridge 41 is dimensioned to engage a complimentary shaped recess (not shown) in a CPAP 21 device so as to maintain the sealed mask of the CPAP 21 device in a substantially fixed and registered positioning with the body of the mask 12 during use. Of course multiple ridges 41 might be employed in positions to register with multiple recesses and the positions of both the recesses and ridges 41 on the marks 12 and CPAP 21 could be reversed.

[0068] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the device 10 herein have been disclosed and described, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instance, some features of the facemask invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should be understood that such substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations are included within the scope of the invention as defined herein.