PROTECTIVE, SANITARY, SECURABLE NASAL CANNULA COVER

Abstract

A nasal cannula cover which includes a body having a cavity adapted to receive at least the prongs of a nasal cannula to protect the same from contaminants when the nasal cannula is not in use. Vents are present in the body to facilitate moisture removal from the cavity and discourage bacterial growth. The cover contains a nasal cannula connector with a fastener that temporarily connects the nasal cannula to the cover. The cover further includes an attachment fixture that facilitates connection of the cover to a surface, such as, but not limited to a strap of a bag that a portable oxygen concentrator is carried in, a cart that carries an oxygen tank or concentrator or even a surface in the home, for example a chain, doorknob or home oxygen source, so that the nasal cannula does not come in contact with any unsanitary surface.

Claims

1. A nasal cannula cover for use with a nasal cannula, comprising: a body having a cavity extending a depth from an outer surface of the body into an interior portion of the body; a divider that separates the cavity into a first section adapted to accept a first prong of the nasal cannula and a second section adapted to accept a second prong of the nasal cannula; and a nasal cannula connector including a fastener that is adapted to releasably engage and connect the nasal cannula to the cover for storage of nasal prongs of the nasal cannula within the cavity.

2. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 1, wherein the body has at least one air vent that extends from an outer surface of the body to the cavity for providing air exchange.

3. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 2, wherein the divider extends from a base of the cavity up to at least 50% of the total height of the cavity measured from a base of the cavity to the outer surface of the body.

4. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 3, wherein the divider extends between a first wall of the cavity and a second wall of the cavity.

5. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 4, wherein the fastener includes a first arm located adjacent the first wall of the cavity and a second arm located adjacent the second wall of the cavity, wherein the first arm and the second arm are adapted to releasably connect the nasal cannula therebetween.

6. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 5, wherein a nasal cannula seat is present at the top of the cavity at ends of the first wall and the second wall and includes a first seat and a second seat adapted to contact a portion of the nasal cannula when releasably connected to the cover for storage.

7. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 1, wherein an attachment fixture is present and includes a handle formed on or connected to the body that facilitates connection to an object for hanging the cover during storage, wherein the handle includes an aperture extending completely through the body, and wherein the aperture is not connected to the cavity.

8. A nasal cannula cover for use with a nasal cannula, comprising: a body having a cavity extending a depth from an outer surface of the body into an interior portion of the body; a nasal cannula connector including a fastener that is adapted to releasably engage and connect the nasal annual to the cover for storage; and an attachment fixture including a handle formed on or connected to the body that facilitates connection to an object for hanging the cover during storage.

9. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 8, wherein the handle includes an aperture extending completely through the body, and wherein the aperture is not connected to the cavity.

10. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 9, wherein the body has at least one air vent that extends from an outer surface of the body to the cavity for providing air exchange.

11. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 8, further including a divider that separates the cavity into a first section adapted to accept a first prong of the nasal cannula and a second section adapted to accept a second prong of the nasal cannula.

12. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 8, wherein the divider extends between a first wall of the cavity and a second wall of the cavity.

13. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 12, wherein a nasal cannula seat is present at the top of the cavity at ends of the first wall and the second wall and includes a first seat and a second seat adapted to contact a portion of the nasal cannula when releasably connected to the cover for storage.

14. A nasal cannula cover for use with a nasal cannula, comprising: a body having a cavity extending a depth from an outer surface of the body into an interior portion of the body; a nasal cannula connector including a fastener that is adapted to releasably engage and connect the nasal cannula to the cover for storage; wherein the fastener includes a first arm located on a first side of the body adjacent the cavity and a second arm located on a second side of the body adjacent the cavity; and wherein the first arm and second arm are adapted to releasably connect the nasal cannula therebetween.

15. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 14, wherein the body has at least one air vent that extends from an outer surface of the body to the cavity for providing air exchange.

16. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 15, wherein a divider that separates the cavity into a first section adapted to accept a first prong of the nasal cannula and a second section adapted to accept a second prong of the nasal cannula.

17. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 16, wherein the divider extends from a base of the cavity up to at least 50% of the total height of the cavity measured from a base of the cavity to the outer surface of the body.

18. The nasal cannula cover according to claim 16, wherein the divider extends between a first wall of the cavity and a second wall of the cavity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent by reading the detailed description of the invention, taken together with the drawings, wherein:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a top view of a nasal annual cover, wherein the bottom view is identical to the top view;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a front view thereof;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a rear view thereof;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a first side view thereof, wherein the other side is identical thereto;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view thereof;

[0026] FIG. 6 is rear perspective view thereof;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating the air vents extending into the cavity as well as the depth of the cavity; and

[0028] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the nasal cannula cover in use having a nasal cannula secured therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The nasal cannula cover of the present invention provides a sanitary location to store and protect the nasal prongs of a nasal cannula when the latter is not in use. The cover is designed so that the nasal cannula can be plugged into the cover such that the nasal prongs extend into a cavity of the cover thereby shielding them from contact with a contaminant such as bacteria, pathogen, virus, dirt or the like. The areas that contact the user such as the prongs and the area immediately around and between the prongs are sealed and protected within the nasal cannula cover. The user never has to touch and contaminate these sensitive areas of the cannula in order to use the nasal cannula cover.

[0030] Turning now to the drawings, one embodiment of a nasal cannula cover 10 is illustrated in the numerous figures attached hereto. The cover has a body 20 formed from a durable material, preferably a polymer. Polyurethane is preferred in one embodiment. A one-piece construction is illustrated, but it is to be understood that the cover can be formed from two or more pieces of the same or different materials as desired. While the cover is illustrated in a semi-circular form, it should be apparent that other shapes can be utilized as long as the cover functions in its intended use to protect the nasal prongs of a nasal cannula. The body, as illustrated in the figures, a front end 30 which includes a cavity 32 extending inwardly from an outer surface 33 thereof, a top 40 and a bottom 50 that extend laterally a greater distance than sides 60 which connect the top and bottom. An attachment fixture 70 is shown located at a rear end of the body.

[0031] The cavity 32 extends a sufficient depth, measured from an outer surface of the body 20, into an interior portion of the body such that the nasal prongs of the nasal cannula can be stored therein. In some embodiments it is desirable that the nasal prongs fit within the cavity such that the distal ends of the prongs are not in contact with any surface of the cavity. In some embodiments, the body 20 has at least one vent 22 that extends from an outer surface of the body to the cavity for providing air and moisture exchange. Moisture is allowed to escape through the vent and be replaced with fresh air that can circulate around the nasal prongs and an airtight seal would otherwise trap moisture inside the device and promote bacterial growth.

[0032] As show in FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, in one embodiment a divider 35 is present in the cavity and separates the cavity into a first section 33 adapted to accept a first prong of the nasal cannula and a second section 34 adapted to accept a second prong of the nasal cannula. The divider prevents cross contamination between nasal prongs of the nasal cannula. In a preferred embodiment, the divider 35 extends from the base 36 of the cavity 32 up towards the front end 30 of the body 20 a distance of at least 50% or at least 75% or 85% of the total height of the cavity, measured from the base 36 of the cavity to the outer surface of the body. In FIG. 2, the divider 35 is shown extending between a first wall 37 of the cavity and a second wall 38 of the cavity. The first wall 37 of the cavity 35 extends laterally within the top of the cover and the second wall 38 extends laterally within the bottom of the cover. The sides 60 of the cover include the side walls 39 of the cavity 32. The cavity is generally enclosed on all sides except for at the front end in order to allow insertion of the nasal cannula.

[0033] A nasal cannula connector 80 is provided to temporarily connect the nasal cannula to the cover 10. The nasal cannula cover 10 includes a fastener 82 that is adapted to releasably engage and connect to the nasal cannula for storage of the nasal prongs of the nasal cannula within the cavity. The nasal cannula connector 80 releasably secures the nasal cannula utilizing pressure via the fastener 82 which preferably has a clamping structure.

[0034] In one embodiment the fastener 82 includes a first arm 84 located adjacent the first wall 37 of the cavity 32 and a second arm 86 located adjacent the second wall 38 of the cavity 32, wherein the first arm 84 and the second arm 86 are adapted to releasably connect the nasal cannula therebetween, for example as illustrated in FIG. 8. The arms 84,86 preferably curve inwardly, outwardly from the cover and around the outer surface of nasal cannula 10 when the nasal prongs of the nasal cannula are inserted into the cavity 32. As illustrated in the side view of FIG. 2, in one embodiment one or more arms 84,86 of the nasal cannula connector are curved in shape. As can be imagined, in some embodiments only a single arm is needed in order to releasably connect the nasal cannula between the arm and a nasal cannula seat 88 of the body.

[0035] Nasal cannula seat 88 is present at the top of the cavity 32 at ends of the first wall 37 and second wall 38 which include respectively, a first seat 88 and a second seat 88 adapted to contact a portion of the nasal cannula when releasably connected to the cover 10 for storage. The first seat 88 and second seat 88 are preferably formed as curved sections which correspond to a curved potion of the nasal cannula and thereby form a seal with the nasal cannula when connected to the cover.

[0036] In order to facilitate connection of the nasal cannula cover 10 to another object, for example a bag or carrying case for a portable oxygen concentrator or source of oxygen or a hook or other structure, the cover includes an attachment fixture 70 which includes a handle 72 formed on or connected to the body 20 that allows connection to the object for hanging otherwise connecting the cover to the object.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment as illustrated, the handle 72 includes an aperture 74 extending completely through the body, such as through the top and bottom surfaces. The aperture 74 of the handle 72 is not connected to, and is separate and thus isolated from the cavity. The presence of the aperture allows use of the cover with a line, cord, hook, clip or the like to allow attachment directly or indirectly to another object.

[0038] For the avoidance of doubt, it is to be understood that the nasal cannula cover of the present invention can include one or more of each of the embodiments described herein. In some cases, it is desirable to provide a nasal cannula cover with each of the embodiments presented herein and some other nesting deterrent comprise less than all of the embodiments described.

[0039] In accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode and preferred embodiment have been set forth; the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims.