Nasal adaptor device and seal
First Claim
1. A nasal adaptor device for delivering gases under pressures to the nasal airway comprising:
- an inlet means to receive gases to be delivered;
manifold means connected to said inlet means to divide the flow of gases that may flow through said inlet means said manifold means being aerodynamically contoured to provide a low-resistance pathway to direct and guide gases to be distributed;
seal means connected to said manifold means, said seal means contacting and being deformed by the nares of an individual to receive gases and being complementary and conformal to the nares of an individual without cannulating such nares to provide a seal to such nares to withstand positive pressure of gases to be distributed, said seal means comprising a pair of flexible flange members, each flange member having a curved surface which is generally "egg-shaped" presenting an area supported by the exterior surface of the nares of an individual including the septum without pinching the septum, each of said flange members having a portal through said curved surface for supplying air to the nasal airways, each portal being positioned to correspond to one of the nasal openings, the axis of each portal being positioned in effective alignment with the aerodynamic air flow into and out of the nasal airways; and
retaining means operatively connected to said seal means to maintain contact between said seal means and the nares of an individual without undue discomfort to the individual.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A nasal adaptor device and seal for delivering gases under pressure to the nasal airway of an individual including an aerodynamically contoured manifold to receive gases from an inlet and to divide the gases for flow to a pair of flange members, preferaly having a non-spherical curved "egg-shaped" surface, which members are, complementary to the nares of an individual without cannulating the nares to provide a seal to withstand positive pressure of gases to be distributed to the nasal airways. The devices and nares seals of this invention are especially useful in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and in ventilation of individuals for whom positive pressure ventilation is indicated.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A nasal adaptor device for delivering gases under pressures to the nasal airway comprising:
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an inlet means to receive gases to be delivered; manifold means connected to said inlet means to divide the flow of gases that may flow through said inlet means said manifold means being aerodynamically contoured to provide a low-resistance pathway to direct and guide gases to be distributed; seal means connected to said manifold means, said seal means contacting and being deformed by the nares of an individual to receive gases and being complementary and conformal to the nares of an individual without cannulating such nares to provide a seal to such nares to withstand positive pressure of gases to be distributed, said seal means comprising a pair of flexible flange members, each flange member having a curved surface which is generally "egg-shaped" presenting an area supported by the exterior surface of the nares of an individual including the septum without pinching the septum, each of said flange members having a portal through said curved surface for supplying air to the nasal airways, each portal being positioned to correspond to one of the nasal openings, the axis of each portal being positioned in effective alignment with the aerodynamic air flow into and out of the nasal airways; and retaining means operatively connected to said seal means to maintain contact between said seal means and the nares of an individual without undue discomfort to the individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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- 12. A nasal adaptor seal comprising a pair of flexible flange members, each having a curved surface and each having a portal therethrough for supplying air to the nasal airways, the portals being positioned to correspond to the nasal openings, the axis of each portal being positioned to substantially align with the aerodynamic air flow into and out of the nasal airways, said curved surfaces being complementary and conformed to the nares of an individual upon contacting the nares of an individual under sufficient force to form a seal between the flange members and the nares and without cannulating such nares, the perimeter of said surfaces generally corresponding to a projection of the external meatus of the nares of an individual.
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20. A nasal adaptor seal comprising a pair of flexible flange members, each having a portal therethrough, each being sufficiently elastic and flexible to be capable of forming curved surfaces, the curvature of each of said surface caused by contact with the nares of an individual under sufficient force to form a seal between the flange members and said nares said curved surfaces being complementary to the nares of an individual without cannulating such nares, the perimeter of said surfaces generally corresponding to a projection of the external meatus of the nares of an individual, each curved surface being generally "egg-shaped" presenting an area supported against the exterior surface of the nares of an individual including the septum without pinching the septum.
Specification