Ventilation mask

Abstract

Disclosed is a nasal ventilation mask having separate ports to monitor end-tidal CO.sub.2 expulsion integrated into the mask in order to monitor end-tidal CO.sub.2 expelled nasally or orally. Also disclosed is a CPR mask for nose-to-mouth and/or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, having a body shaped to cover the nose and/or mouth of a victim, said mask including a CO.sub.2 absorber for eliminating at least in part rescuer's exhaled CO.sub.2 delivered to the victim.

Claims

1. A nasal ventilation mask having a body defining a nasal cavity having an interior configured to cover a patient's nose while leaving a patient's mouth uncovered, said mask having an O.sub.2 port, a ventilation port, and an end-tidal CO.sub.2 port, the O.sub.2 port fluidly coupled to the nasal cavity for introducing oxygen into the nasal cavity, the ventilation port fluidly coupled to the nasal cavity for directing a gas toward or away from the nasal cavity, and the end-tidal CO.sub.2 port fluidly coupled to an exterior opening under a nose region of the mask, adapted to overlie a patient's lip region, wherein the end-tidal CO.sub.2 port is configured to couple with a monitoring line, and the ventilation port is configured to couple with ventilation line that is different than the monitoring line, and said exterior opening is adapted to scavenge gases expelled orally by a wearer, and an integrated end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitor for monitoring end-tidal CO.sub.2 expelled nasally and orally by a patient.

2. The mask of claim 1, wherein the mask is adapted for use as an oxygen transport mask, or as a ventilation mask providing O.sub.2 and anesthesia gases, and said end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitor is adapted for simultaneously or sequentially monitoring end-tidal CO.sub.2.

3. The mask of claim 1, wherein said mask is adapted for CPAP pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and/or post-operatively.

4. The mask of claim 1, wherein said mask is adapted for connection to a resuscitator bag such that a patient's mouth and airway are not obstructed by the resuscitator bag, to allow for direct laryngoscopy and intubation.

5. The mask of claim 1, wherein said mask comprises a gas channel inside the nasal cavity, wherein the gas channel fluidly couples the end-tidal CO.sub.2 port to the exterior opening and is configured to isolate orally expelled gases from a rest of the nasal cavity, and wherein said mask comprises a gas monitoring attachment integral to or attached to the ventilation port.

6. The mask of claim 1, further comprising an anesthesiologist controlled 2-way, 3 port valve permitting an anesthesiologist to switch between separately monitoring nasal and oral end-tidal CO.sub.2, or simultaneously monitoring nasal and oral end-tidal CO.sub.2, wherein when oral end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitoring is chosen, ventilation gases expelled orally by the patient are also monitored.

7. The mask of claim 1, said mask further including a scavenger line for diverting at least a portion of the scavenged gas to an end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitor.

8. The mask of claim 7, wherein a connector is provided where the monitoring line intercepts the scavenger line, diverting gas flow, resulting in a positive pressure relative to the monitoring line, to permit gases to be sampled from the scavenger line.

9. An anesthesia mask having a body defining a nasal cavity having an interior configured to cover a patient's nose while leaving a patient's mouth uncovered, said anesthesia mask having an O.sub.2 port, a ventilation port, an end-tidal CO.sub.2 port, and a built in scavenger system, the scavenger system configured for collecting anesthetic gases that may leak out around a mouth and nose of a patient, and comprising the end-tidal CO2 port fluidly coupled to an exterior opening under a nose region of the anesthesia mask and adapted to overlie a patient's lip region, and a gas hood located under the nose region of the anesthesia mask and extending from an outer surface of the anesthesia mask around the exterior opening to enhance the collection of anesthetic gases around the patient's mouth, wherein the end-tidal CO2 port is configured to couple with a monitoring line, and the ventilation port is configured to couple with ventilation line that is different than the monitoring line.

10. A method for ventilating a patient, comprising: supplying a nasal ventilation mask having a body defining a nasal cavity having an interior configured to cover a patient's nose while leaving a patient's mouth uncovered, said mask having an O.sub.2 port, a ventilation port, and an end-tidal CO.sub.2 port, the O.sub.2 port fluidly coupled to the nasal cavity for introducing oxygen into the nasal cavity, and the end-tidal CO.sub.2 port fluidly coupled to an exterior opening under a nose region of the mask, wherein the end-tidal CO2 port is configured to couple with a monitoring line, and the ventilation port is configured to couple with a ventilation line that is different than the monitoring line, and an integrated end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitor for monitoring end-tidal CO.sub.2 expelled nasally and orally; positioning the mask over the patient's nose above a patient's lip region, introducing oxygen into the nasal cavity, and allowing gases expelled orally by the patient to be scavenged, and collecting and monitoring end-tidal CO.sub.2 expelled by the patient.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mask is used as an oxygen transport mask or as a ventilation mask providing O.sub.2 and anesthesia gases, and monitoring end-tidal CO.sub.2, O.sub.2 and/or anesthesia gases.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said mask is used for CPAP pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and/or post-operatively.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the mask is connected to a resuscitator bag such that the patient's mouth and airway are not obstructed by the resuscitator bag, to allow for direct laryngoscopy and intubation.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the mask comprises a gas monitoring attachment integral to or attached to the ventilation port.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein anesthesia gases and O.sub.2 are provided nasally to the patient.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising positioning the mask with the exterior opening over the patient's lip region, and allowing gases expelled orally by the patient to be scavenged and scavenged gas is ported to a scavenger device.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said mask further includes a scavenger line, and diverting at least a portion of the scavenged gas to the end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitor.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the mask includes a connector provided at a position where the monitoring line intercepts a scavenger line, diverting at least a portion of gas flow, and resulting in a positive pressure relative to the monitoring line line, and sampling gas from the scavenger line.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the mask further comprises an anesthesiologist controlled 2-way, 3 port valve permitting an anesthesiologist to switch between separately monitoring nasal and oral expulsions of end-tidal CO.sub.2, or simultaneously monitoring nasal and oral end-tidal CO.sub.2, opening the valve to scavenge anesthesia gases expelled orally, and end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitoring of said gases expelled orally.

20. A method for ventilating a patient, comprising: providing an anesthesia mask having a body defining a nasal cavity having an interior configured to cover a patient's nose while leaving a patient's mouth uncovered, said mask having an O.sub.2 port, a ventilation port, and an end-tidal CO.sub.2 port, the O.sub.2 port fluidly coupled to the nasal cavity for introducing oxygen into the nasal cavity, and a built in scavenger system for collecting anesthetic gases that may leak out around the mouth and nose of the patient, and comprising the end-tidal CO.sub.2 port fluidly coupled to an exterior opening under a nose region of the anesthesia mask and adapted to overlie a patient's lip region; coupling a monitoring line to the end-tidal CO.sub.2 port, and coupling a ventilation line to the ventilation port, wherein the monitoring line is different than the ventilation line; and holding the mask in place over the nose of the patient using one or more head straps, introducing oxygen into the interior of the mask, and collecting said leaked gases, and monitoring said collected gases.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the present invention will be seen from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings, wherein

(2) FIGS. 1a and 1b are front view and top views of a nasal ventilation mask in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an inside view of the FIG. 1a ventilation mask;

(4) FIGS. 3a and 3b are plan views showing the ventilation mask in accordance with the present invention on a patient's head;

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b are views similar to FIGS. 3a and 3b showing a chin strap attached to the mask;

(6) FIGS. 5a and 5b show an alternative configuration of the nasal mask with an end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitor in accordance with the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an alternative configuration of nasal mask ventilation system in accordance with the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of nasal ventilation mask with a CO.sub.2 monitor in accordance with the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is a plan view of yet another alternative configuration of nasal mask with a CO.sub.2 monitor in accordance with the present invention;

(10) FIG. 9 is a view, in partial cross-section of a CPR mask in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; and

(11) FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of a CPR mask in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(12) A nasal ventilation mask 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b. Optimally it contains 4 gas openings, but can contain less or more than four as well. The first is the ventilation port 12 that supplies O.sub.2 and other gases either during anesthesia or for NIPPV in critically ill patients and allows for any end-tidal CO.sub.2 that is expelled nasally to be retrieved from the patient. The second is an Oral opening 14 under the nose but isolated from the nasal cavity created by the mask over the patient's nose. The purpose of opening 14 is for scavenging anesthesia gases and end-tidal CO.sub.2 that are expelled orally from the patient. In addition to reducing or eliminating anesthetic gases from entering the Operating Room and becoming a hazard, it allows for the end-tidal CO.sub.2 expelled from the patient's lungs and escaping orally to be monitored. The third opening is the Gas Scavenging/end-tidal CO2 port 16 that is connected to the opening by a channel 18 inside the mask (see FIG. 2) that is isolated from the nasal cavity. The Gases, including any expelled end-tidal CO.sub.2, leave the mask through port 16 and are guided by a tube 20 to a gas scavenging filter and end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitor 32 (see FIG. 3) that samples gas from the gas scavenging line. The fourth opening is an O.sub.2 port 22 that is capped off during anesthesia, but may be connected to an O.sub.2 source (not shown) either pre-operation, intra-operation, or post-operation. When O.sub.2 is supplied, the Ventilation tube is detached from the ventilation port 12 so that end-tidal CO2 and be expelled nasally. A gas hood 24 located under the nose around the oral opening 14 extends beyond the mask as shown. It is optionally included in order to extend the influence of the Oral Opening 14 in the mask in order to contain a greater percentage of the expelled gases from the patient.

(13) The mask also includes three eyelets or tabs 60, 62, 64, or four eyelets or tabs 66 68, 70, 72 (FIG. 7) for attaching a chin strap or head strap, as described below, or for attaching straps to the operating table in accordance with the teachings of our co-pending application PCT/US14/44934 or our co-pending PCT application PCT/US15/34277.

(14) An interior view of the nasal ventilation mask 10 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. The ventilation port 12 and O.sub.2 port 22, are connected to the nasal cavity 26. Orally expelled gases travel from the Oral opening 14 on the outside of the mask through Gas Channel 18 and out the Gas Scavenger & end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitoring port 16 on to the Scavenger device and end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitor. The Gas channel 18 separates the Nasal cavity 26 created by the ventilation mask over the nose and the Oral regions of the patient.

(15) When O.sub.2 or O.sub.2 and anesthesia gases and are being supplied to the patient, they travel to the nasal cavity 26 through a ventilation circuit 28 attached to the ventilation port 12, and a cap shown in phantom at 30, seals the O.sub.2 port. Post operation, the cap 30 can be removed from the O.sub.2 port 22 and an O.sub.2 line attached to the port, supplying O.sub.2 to the patient. The ventilation circuit 28 is removed from the ventilation port 12 and the nasal cavity 26 is open to the atmosphere where end-tidal CO.sub.2 can be expelled nasally.

(16) The gas circuit for both the Nasal Mask Ventilation/end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitor Oral Gas Scavenger/end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitoring lines are illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b. FIG. 3a shows nasal gas flow from the Nasal cavity 26 connected to the Ventilation Circuit 28 and to the end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitoring equipment 32. FIG. 3b shows the orally expelled gases entering the Oral opening and flowing through the Gas Scavenger line to a recovery device 34 and the associated line that is connected to the scavenger line and flows to the end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitoring equipment. Note that the opening to the scavenger line should be positioned approximately 90 to the scavenger gas flow in order for the local pressure to be higher than it would be if the opening were perpendicular to the gas flow. If it were perpendicular, a negative pressure would prevent the end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitoring line from being able to sample the flow due to the negative pressure gradient.

(17) Referring also to FIGS. 4a and 4b, a chin strap 36 also can be applied to the submental space, attached to the nasal mask 10, and apply a pressure to force the tongue against the soft palate and induce an obstruction of the retro-glossal space, which will help prevent any leak of gases out of the patient's mouth and allow the patient to breath out of the nose. The chin strap 36 also has the ability to release pressure, if needed, during exhalation to prevent an expiratory obstruction and allow end-tidal CO2 and other gases to be released out the mouth.

(18) In an alternate configuration, the gas circuit for both the Nasal Mask Ventilation and end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitoring are illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b. The figure shows a 2-Way, 3 Port valve 40 that connects the Nasal circuit to the end-tidal CO.sub.2 monitoring equipment. The anesthesiologist decides which region, the nasal, oral region, or both simultaneously, should be monitored for end-tidal CO.sub.2.

(19) A side view of the alternate configuration for the nasal mask ventilation and monitoring end-tidal CO.sub.2 expulsion from the oral airway is illustrated in FIG. 6. Note the 2-Way, 3 Port valve 40 has been turned in the direction of the mouth for sampling end-tidal CO.sub.2.

(20) The nasal ventilation mask also allows only one combined anterior-posterior head strap to be attached, where the posterior head strap can attach to the mask alone, or can attach to the mask and then to a surface, which will prevent movement of the patient's head and/or neck. By securing the patient's head with the head strap to the support surface, the patient's head will stay in the desired position and the support surface will stay in the desired position when the provider changes the head and/or neck angles.

(21) FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention, in which a patient is being provided oxygen via an O.sub.2 line connected to the O.sub.2 port on the ventilation mask. The exhaled gases are exhausted to the atmosphere via the ventilation port 12 as illustrated in FIG. 7. If the patient is unconscious due to anesthesia, there is a desire to assure that the CO.sub.2 is being exhaled. This can be accomplished by adding a T-Shaped gas monitoring attachment 50 that slides onto the mask ventilation port 12. The main body of the attachment 50 which is tubular in shape allows exhaled gases to be exhausted to the atmosphere. To the side of the attachment is a tubular opening 52, nominally at a 90 angle off to the side. The end of this opening 52 can have a luer lock or any other kind of securing connection. Exhaled gas from the main flow can be sampled through this opening if a gas monitoring line 54 connected to a gas monitor is attached to the gas monitoring line interface.

(22) An alternative approach for accomplishing the same gas sampling feature is illustrated in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the gas monitoring line interface is an integral element of the mask ventilation port 12. In this configuration, O.sub.2 flows into the O.sub.2 port via a supply line and the exhaust gases are passed to the atmosphere via the ventilation port 12. The side of the ventilation port 12 is a tubular opening 56, nominally at 90 angle off to the side. The end of this opening can have a leer lock or any other kind of securing connection. Exhaled gas from the main flow can be sampled through this opening if a gas monitoring line connected to a gas monitor is attached to the gas monitoring line surface.

(23) Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a first embodiment of a CPR mask in accordance with another aspect of our invention, designated 110, to affect rescue breathing, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or any other CPR procedure requiring emergency breathing assistance. Mask 110 is shaped to cover the nose and/or mouth of a victim, and includes a soft and compliant periphery 112 to conform to the face of a victim upon application of moderate force to obtain a tight-fitting mask seal. Typically the periphery 112 of the mask includes a soft, compliant air bladder 114 or resiliently deformable foam cushion or the like.

(24) A ventilation tube 116 is attached to an integral inlet port 118 protruding from the mask through which air may be supplied by the rescuer by exhaling into the tube. Ventilation tube 116 or inlet port 118 typically includes a one-way valve 120 that permits air to enter the mask through tube 116. Ventilation tube 116 and its associated valve 120 may be formed integrally with the port 118, or may he a replaceable, disposable element or package. (FIG. 10).

(25) The inside surface 122 of mask 110 is coated in part by a CO.sub.2 absorbing material such as activated carbon or a zeolite. Also, certain minerals such as serpentinite advantageously may be employed. Typically, these materials are sorted to optimal size and encased in a filter material 124 bound to the inside surface 122 of the mask 110. Alternatively, the inside surface 122 of the mask 110 may be coated with a CO.sub.2 absorbing polymer such as polyethyleneimine containing fumed silica or the like as reported in Scientific American, Jan. 6, 2012, page 33.

(26) Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, a CO.sub.2 filter 126 containing CO.sub.2 absorbing material may be incorporated into ventilation tube 116.

(27) In use, the rescuer places the CPR mask 110 over the nose and/or mouth of a victim to initiate emergency ventilation of the victim. The rescuer applies moderate force to obtain a substantially air-tight seal against the victim's face, and ventilation is then supplied by the rescuer by exhaling into the ventilation tube 116. While the exhaust from the rescuer contains CO.sub.2, most of the CO.sub.2 will be removed by the CO.sub.2 filter material.

(28) Mask 110 may be formed in different sizes, for example, adult size, youth size and child size, to accommodate different size faces. A feature and advantage of the CPR mask of the present invention is that significantly reduces the amount of CO.sub.2 administered to the victim. Also, the mask helps to protect both victim and rescuer in an emergency situation by preventing transfer of disease.

(29) Various changes may be made in the above invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, a biological filter (shown in phantom at 130 in FIG. 10) also may be incorporated into the mask or the ventilation tube 116. Additionally, the mask may include straps 132 for strapping the mask to the victim's head, thus freeing the rescuer from having to press the mask against the victim's face. Still other changes are possible.