METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PORTABLE FLUID DELIVERY FOR ANIMALS

• US 20120152242A1
• Filed: 11/14/2011
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Extra Air, LLC
• Original Assignee: Extra Air, LLC
• Inventors: Harrison, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,985,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/04 Devices for anaesthetising animals by gases or vapours; Inhaling devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/122 with dilution
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2250/00 Specially adapted for animals

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for supplying a fluid, including but not limited to oxygen and/or medications to a non-human animal in a configuration that does not require a human to hold a component on the animal.

Claims

1. A apparatus for providing fluid to a non-human animal comprising:

a fluid delivery system comprising at least one mask and at least one fluid transport tube for delivery of a fluid source to said mask; and

at least one securing belt for disposing said delivery system on the animal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said delivery system comprises a flexible mask.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said securing belt comprises a head strap.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said securing belt comprises at least one underchin strap.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said securing belt comprises a harness.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said delivery system holds said fluid transport tube out of reach of teeth of the animal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said delivery system does not require a human to hold said delivery system on the animal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 allowing the animal to eat, drink, sneeze, scratch, sleep in many positions, walk, run, and twirl while the animal is wearing said apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises oxygen.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises a medication.

11. A method for providing a fluid to a non-human animal comprising:

providing a fluid delivery system comprising a mask for delivery of a fluid to the animal;

securing the delivery system to the animal with at least one securing belt;

disposing the mask at least partially around a nose of the non-human animal;

causing a fluid to travel through the delivery system, from a fluid source, through at least one tube and into the mask; and

the method performed without requiring a person to hold the delivery system on the animal.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising securing the at least one tube to the animal with a strap.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising securing the at least one tube to the animal with a head strap.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising securing the at least one tube to the animal with an underchin strap.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising securing the at least one tube to the animal with a harness.

16. The method of claim 11 further comprising supporting at least a portion of the tube with the delivery system such that the tube is out of reach of the animal'"'"'s teeth.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein providing at least one fluid source comprises providing an oxygen source and wherein the fluid comprises oxygen.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein providing the fluid to the animal allows the animal to eat, drink, sneeze, scratch, sleep in many positions, walk, run, twirl, and generally engage in normal behavior.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the fluid comprises a medication.