ROBERTS BEN (GB)
| WO1997033641A1 | 1997-09-18 |
| GB2069849A | 1981-09-03 | |||
| US6386196B1 | 2002-05-14 | |||
| US4511163A | 1985-04-16 | |||
| US5474060A | 1995-12-12 | |||
| US5400781A | 1995-03-28 | |||
| US20100116271A1 | 2010-05-13 | |||
| US20110155136A1 | 2011-06-30 |
None
| CLAIMS: 1. A method of adapting an oxygen face mask for capnography, comprising: providing an oxygen face mask having a profile that is contoured to fit over a patient's nose and mouth, with a port for allowing ambient air to enter the mask and/or exhaled air to leave the mask; providing an adaptor comprising a body with a first connector, a second connector and a passageway extending therebetween, with the first connector being configured to connect to a respiratory gas monitoring line, and with the second connector comprising a substantially tapering profile with a cross-section increasing with distance along the passageway in a direction from the second connector to the first connector; and securing the adaptor to the oxygen face mask by inserting the second connector into the port until a friction fit is achieved. 2. A method according to claim 1, in which the tapering profile of the second connector has a circular cross-section. 3. A method according to claim 2, in which the circular cross-section of the tapering profile has a diameter increasing from about 5.0mm to about 10.0mm or more. 4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the tapering profile is smooth. 5. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the tapering profile is graduated with steps or ribs. 6. A method according to claim 5, in which the tapering profile has annular grooves between adjacent portions of different sized cross-sections. 7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the body of the adaptor includes at least one winged portion extending to one lateral side of the passageway. 8. A method according to claim 7, in which the or each winged portion defines at least in part one or more finger-holds for manipulating the adaptor. 9. An adaptor for converting an oxygen face mask for capnography, comprising a body with a first connector, a second connector and a passageway extending therebetween, with the first connector being configured to connect to a respiratory gas monitoring line, and with the second connector comprising a substantially tapering profile with a cross-section which increases with distance along the passageway in a direction from the second connector to the first connector. 10. An adaptor according to claim 9, in which the tapering profile of the second connector has a circular cross-section. 11. An adaptor according to claim 10, in which the circular cross-section of the tapering profile has a diameter increasing from about 5.0mm to about 10.0mm or more. 5 12. An adaptor according to claim 10 or claim 11 , in which the tapering profile is smooth. 13. An adaptor according to claim 10 or claim 11, in which the tapering profile is graduated with steps or ribs. 14. An adaptor according to claim 13, in which the tapering profile has annular grooves between adjacent portions of different sized cross-sections. 10 15. An adaptor according to any one of claims 9 to 14, in which the body of the adaptor includes at least one winged portion extending to one lateral side of the passageway. 16. An adaptor according to claim 15, in which the or each winged portion defines at least in part one or more finger-holds for manipulating the adaptor. 17. An adaptor according to any one of claims 9 to 16, in which the first connector includes 15 part of a locking system for secure connection to the respiratory gas monitoring line. |
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to oxygen face masks, particularly but not exclusively to a method of adapting an oxygen face mask for capnography.
A simple oxygen face mask is a container-like device that is contoured to fit over a patient's nose and mouth. It is used to deliver oxygen as the patient breathes through either their nose or mouth. A simple oxygen mask has open side ports or vents that allow ambient air to enter the mask and dilute the oxygen, as well as allowing exhaled carbon dioxide to leave the containment space. It also has tubing fixed to the bottom of the mask that is used to connect the mask to an oxygen source. An adjustable strap is connected to each side of the mask and slides over the head and above the ears to hold the mask securely in place.
Capnography is the monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the respiratory gases of a patient and provides useful information about C0 2 production, pulmonary perfusion, alveolar ventilation, respiratory patterns, and elimination of C0 2 from breathing circuits and ventilators. Its main development has been as a monitoring tool for use during anaesthesia and intensive care. When a clinician makes a decision that capnography is necessary, the simple oxygen face mask would typically be removed and replaced with a dedicated capnography mask which allows sampling of exhaled carbon dioxide (typically from both the mouth and the nose) while at the same time administering oxygen. The present invention has been devised to assist with capnography when required. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of adapting an oxygen face mask for capnography, comprising: providing an oxygen face mask having a profile that is contoured to fit over a patient's nose and mouth, with a port for allowing ambient air to enter the mask and/or exhaled air to leave the mask; providing an adaptor comprising a body with a first connector, a second connector and a passageway extending therebetween, with the first connector being configured to connect to a respiratory gas monitoring line, and with the second connector comprising a substantially tapering profile with a cross-section increasing with distance along the passageway in a direction from the second connector to the first connector; and securing the adaptor to the oxygen face mask by inserting the second connector into the port until a friction fit is achieved.
Γη this way, it is possible to convert a standard oxygen face mask into a mask suitable for capnography. This has a number of advantages. First it will not be necessary to locate and fit a dedicated capnography mask, helping to speed up the procedure in an emergency. Secondly, it may obviate the need to store dedicated capnography masks, helping to save costs and storage space. The tapering profile of the second connector enables the adaptor to be secured to a range of oxygen face masks with different port sizes. The vast majority of oxygen face masks have ports in the form of circular apertures, ranging in diameter from a few millimetres (e.g. 5mm) to about 10mm or more.
The adaptor may be secured to the oxygen face mask by pushing the second connector into the port until the former plugs the latter. The adaptor may be removed from the oxygen face mask by pulling the second connector from the port, possibly twisting the former relative to the latter whilst pulling.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adaptor for converting an oxygen face mask for capnography, comprising a body with a first connector, a second connector and a passageway extending therebetween, with the first connector being configured to connect to a respiratory gas monitoring line, and with the second connector comprising a substantially tapering profile with a cross-section which increases with distance along the passageway in a direction from the second connector to the first connector.
The first connector may form one half of a male-female Luer connector system, for example a male half. The first connector may include part of a locking system for secure connection to the respiratory gas monitoring line, for example a Luer lock fitting. Alternatively, the first connector may have on its outer periphery a screw-threaded portion for securely engaging the respiratory gas monitoring line. The screw-threaded portion may have more than one start, e.g. a double start.
The tapering profile of the second connector may have a circular cross-section. The circular cross-section of the tapering profile may have a diameter increasing from about 5.0mm to about 10.0mm or more. The tapering profile may be smooth. Alternatively, the tapering profile may be graduated with steps or ribs and may have annular grooves between adjacent portions of different sized cross-sections.
The body of the adaptor may include at least one winged portion extending to one lateral side of the passageway. The or each winged portion may define at least in part one or more finger-holds, making it easier to manipulate the adaptor. For example, one winged portion may be large enough to be gripped between a finger and thumb when securing the adaptor to the oxygen face mask. Alternatively, a pair of winged portions may define therebetween a finger or thumb grip.
The body may be moulded from plastics material, and may be moulded as a single piece. The plastics material may be brightly coloured for high visibility.
Features of the second aspect of the invention apply mutatis mutandis to the first aspect of the invention.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an adaptor embodying one aspect of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a partial, sectional view of the adaptor of Figure 1, along the line II-II;
Figure 3 illustrates a partial sectional view of the adaptor of Figure 1, along the line
III-III;
Figures 4a, 4b, 4c illustrate perspective views of alternative adaptors; and
Figure 5 illustrates schematically the use of the adaptor of Figure 1 in conversion of an oxygen face mask.
Figures 1-3 illustrate an adaptor 10 comprising a body 12 with a first connector 14, a second connector 16 and a passageway 18 extending therebetween. The first connector 14 is in the form of a Luer lock male fitting (to conform to BS EN 1707:1977) which is configured to engage a corresponding Luer lock female fitting associated with a respiratory gas (C0 2 ) monitoring line (not shown). The second connector 16 has a substantially tapering profile, with its cross-section decreasing with increasing distance from the first connector 14. In this 5 way, a leading end 20 of the second connector 16 has a smaller cross-section than a trailing part 22 of the second connector 16. The substantially tapering profile of the second connector 16 is made up of a plurality of annular ribs 24, separated by annular grooves 26, forming a graduated or stepped configuration. Such a configuration is helpful for securely engaging any one of a number of apertures of different sizes, (e.g. ranging in diameter from say 5mm to 10 10mm).
The body 12 of the adaptor 10 may comprise a pair of wings 30, extending to opposite lateral sides of the passageway 18, in between the first connector 14 and the second connector 16. The wings 30 are configured to define enlarged touch surfaces, either on or between the wings 30, making it easier for the adaptor 10 to be held firmly (e.g. between finger and 15 thumb) when securing it to an oxygen face mask 50.
Figures 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate alternative embodiments 10a, 10b, 10c of the adaptor 10. Corresponding features are labelled using the same reference numbers as used in Figures 1-3.
Figure 5 illustrates schematically the oxygen face mask 50 being converted for use in 0 capnography. The oxygen face mask 50 has a body 52 with a profile configured to fit over and around a patient's nose and mouth. The body 52 has a plurality of vents or ports 54 for allowing in use ambient air into the mask and/or exhaled air to leave the mask. Oxygen is supplied and introduced into the oxygen face mask 50 through tubing 56. An adjustable elastic band 58 is provided to hold the oxygen face mask 50 in position over the patient's nose 5 and mouth. The adaptor 10 is held between finger and thumb and the second connector 16 is pushed into one of the ports 54 until a friction fit is achieved. A respiratory gas monitoring line (not shown) may then be coupled to the first connector 14. The conversion may be performed in situ, i.e. with the oxygen face mask in position over a patient's nose and mouth.
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