[001] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Field of the Invention

[003] This invention relates to nasal cannulas. More particularly, this invention relates to nasal cannulas that deliver oxygen to a patient's nose and sampling of carbon dioxide being exhaled from the patient's nose.

[004] Description of the Background Art

[005] Representative nasal cannulas for the delivery of oxygen to the patient's nose include two nasal prongs fluidly connected to an oxygen-delivery tube (as used herein the term "patient" refers to humans as well as animals). The nasal prongs are inserted into the patient's nose and held into position by draping the respective oxygen- delivery tubes over the patient's ears. The tubes are typically joined anteriorly under the patient's chin (or behind the patient's head) by a tube clasp encircling both of the tubes. The tube clasp may be slid upwardly toward the patient's ears to take up any slack in the tubes so that the nasal prongs are forcibly held in the patient's nostrils. The sliding tube clasp may alternatively be slid downwardly along the tubes to create slack in the tubes and thereby lessen the degree of pressure exerted on the patient's nostrils. Alternatively, as shown in U.S. Patents 8,573,219 and 7,406,966, the disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, the nasal cannula may be held in position in the patient's nose by a coupler that pinches the nasal prongs onto the columella of the nose. [006] Improved delivery/sampling nasal cannulas are designed to deliver oxygen to a patient's nose and to sample exhausted carbon dioxide from the patient's nose.

Representative delivery/sampling nasal cannulas typically comprise two nasal prongs for insertion into the nostrils of the patient. One prong is fluidly connected to a delivery tube for delivery of oxygen into one nare of the patient and the other prong is fluidly connected to a collection tube for the collection of the exhaled gases to be monitored, typically end tidal carbon dioxide, from the other nare of the patient. For example, the collection tube may be fluidly connected to a capnograph for gas analysis.

[007] Prior art delivery/sampling nasal cannulas typically secure the nasal prongs in the patient's nostrils by draping the delivery tube around one of the patient's ears and draping the collection tube around the patient's other ear. The delivery tube and the collection tube are typically joined anteriorly under the patient's chin (or behind the patient's head) by a tube clasp encircling both of the tubes that allows for tightening or loosening of the nasal prongs in the patient's nose. Representative U.S. Patents include 7,383,839 and 6,422,240, the disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[008] During a surgical procedure to the patient's face, many times a prior art nasal cannula must be manually manipulated to avoid the surgical site. For example, if the surgeon is operating on the patient's right cheek, the tube extending from the nasal prong in the patient's right nare over the patient's right ear, must be moved and secured away from the patient's right cheek. Typically this involves loosening the right tube so that it can be moved upwardly (or downwardly) away from the surgical site and then taped to the patient's face away from the surgical site. However, the patient's face, having been prepped with a solution to render the surgical site clean and sterile, compromises the ability for the tape to adhere to the face, sometimes resulting in the tube coming loose and obstructing the surgical site. The loosened tube may also pull one or both of the nasal prongs from the patient's nostrils.

[009] Therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of the nasal cannula art.

[0010] Another object of this invention is to provide a delivery/sampling nasal cannula to deliver oxygen to a patient's nose via a delivery tube and to sample exhausted gases from the patient's nose via a collection tube.

[0011] Another object of this invention is to provide a nasal cannula whose tubes are both oriented unidirectionally, either both leftwardly or both rightwardly, from the patient's nostrils such that the right or left, respectively, area of the patient's face remains free of the tubes.

[0012] Another object of this invention is to provide a delivery/sampling nasal cannula whose delivery and collection tubes are both oriented unidirectionally.

[0013] Another object of this invention is to provide a delivery/sampling nasal cannula whose delivery and collection tubes are both fluidly connected to both of the nostrils such that oxygen is delivered to both nares and exhausted air is sampled from both of the nares.

[0014] Another object of this invention is to provide a delivery/sampling nasal cannula that precludes an interruption in oxygen delivery and measurement of ETC02 during the surgical procedure due to secure placement of the cannula to the columella.

[0015] The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention.

These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] For the purpose of summarizing this invention, this invention comprises a delivery/sampling nasal cannula to deliver oxygen to a patient's nose via a delivery tube and to sample exhausted gases from the patient's nose via a collection tube. The tubes are both oriented unidirectionally, either both leftwardly or both rightwardly, from the patient's nostrils such that the right or left, respectively, area of the patient's face remains free of the tubes and therefore do not obstruct or interfere with surgery. In a first embodiment, the delivery and collection tubes are fluidly connected to respective nares of the patient's nose such that oxygen is delivered to one nare and exhausted carbon dioxide is collected from the other nare. In a second embodiment, the delivery and collection tubes are both fluidly connected to both of the nares such that oxygen is delivered to both nares and exhausted air is sampled from both of the nares.

[0018] An important feature of both embodiments of the nasal cannula of the invention is the unidirectional orientation of tubes to be oriented rightwardly or leftwardly when inserted into the patient's nose such that the delivery and collection tubes 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 may be oriented rightwardly so that the tubes 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 may be oriented leftwardly so that the tubes extend leftwardly and do not obstruct or otherwise compromise the surgical site on the patient's right cheek. Advantageously, due to secure placement of the cannula to the columella, the use of the nasal cannula of the invention will assure that the patient will not have an interruption in oxygen delivery and measurement of ETC02 during the surgical procedure.

[0019] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] 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:

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the nasal cannula of the invention;

[0023] Fig. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

[0024] Fig. 3 is a left elevational view thereof;

[0025] Fig. 4 is a top elevational view thereof;

[0026] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 along lines 5-5;

[0027] Figs. 6A and 6B are front elevational views showing the nasal cannula oriented rightwardly and leftwardly, respectively;

[0028] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the nasal cannula of the invention;

[0029] Fig. 8 is a front elevational view thereof;

[0030] Fig. 9 is a left elevational view thereof;

[0031] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 9 along lines 10-10 of Fig. 9;

[0032] Fig. 11 is a top elevational view thereof;

[0033] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 8 along lines 12-12; and

[0034] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 8 along lines 13-13.

[0035] Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. [0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Importantly, as shown in Figs. 6 A 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. [0044] 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).

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 62L & 62R are oriented approximately 90 degrees relative to one another.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.