Nasal tube assembly

• US 5,533,506 A
• Filed: 01/13/1995
• Issued: 07/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: E. Barter Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medlife, Inc.
• Inventors: Wood, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SRIVASTAVA, VIRENDRA KUMAR
• Application Number:
  US08/372,227
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.18, 128/203.26, 128/204.12, 128/205.13, 128/206.11, 128/206.18, 128/207.13, 128/DIG. 26, 128/912, 604/94, 604/178, 604/179
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• 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: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

Abstract

A nasal ventilation system comprising a tube terminating in a pair of nasal inserts. Each insert tapers at its end and has a soft membrane covering the tapered end for wearer comfort. A washer positioned below the membrane provides a positive seal with the nostril and prevents gas leakage by resting on the support bar. A support bar having slots which can accommodate the nasal inserts also permits lateral movement of the inserts for positioning of the inserts within the nostrils. An adjustable harness system is removably secured to the wearer.

Claims

1. A nasal tube assembly comprising:

a tube tapered at one end and having an aperture defined at said tapered end;

a means removably associated with said tapered end for forming a seal when said tapered end is inserted into a nostril;

a support bar which comprises a generally flat strip of material having at least one slot defined therein, said slot having a width, said tube being slidable within said slot and having a degree of lateral movement therein due to the width of said slot; and

a means for preventing said tube from easily slipping through said slot comprising a washer sized to have a diameter larger than the width of said slot, said washer snugly engaging said tube, and being positioned between said tapered end of said tube and said support bar.

2. The nasal tube assembly of claim 1, wherein said seal :

forming means comprises a conical shaped membrane capable of being removably associated with said tapered end.

3. The nasal tube assembly of claim 1, wherein said seal forming means is made of a soft, flexible material.

4. The nasal tube assembly of claim 2, wherein said seal forming means is made of a foam material.

5. The nasal tube assembly of claim 1 further comprising a harness removably attachable to a patient, said harness being attached to said support bar.