Oxygen mask with nebulizer

• US 5,586,551 A
• Filed: 07/17/1995
• Issued: 12/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth R. Hilliard
• Original Assignee: Kenneth R. Hilliard
• Inventors: Hilliard, Kenneth R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SRIVASTAVA, VIRENDRA KUMAR
• Application Number:
  US08/503,327
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.18, 128/200.21, 128/203.22, 128/203.28, 128/203.29, 128/204.11, 128/205.17
• US Class Current: 128/203.29
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/06 of the injector type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen

Abstract

An oxygen mask having an extended nose region to accommodate openings for both a nebulizer and the main oxygen supply depended on by the patient for adequate respiration. The mask allows the nebulizer to be used without having to remove the patient from the main oxygen supply.

Claims

1. A respiratory therapy mask comprising:

a mask portion defining a cavity having an opening, said cavity and said opening being dimensioned and configured for said opening to sealingly contact a patient'"'"'s face and for said cavity to form an enclosed space about the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth, said mask portion further having a first one-way inlet valve and a second one-way inlet valve;

a first main breathable gas supply assembly communicates with said first inlet valve for supplying a first breathable gas to a patient; and

a nebulizer assembly removably attached to said second inlet valve and supplies an inhalable medication entrained in a second breathable gas to said mask portion, said nebulizer assembly includes;

a nebulizer bottle in the form of a container containing a jet with a centered nozzle, said nozzle receiving said second breathable gas from a secondary gas source, whereby the breathable gas from said secondary gas source issues as a jet stream;

a jet housing fitting over said jet and creating an annular gap between said jet housing and said jet, the inhalable medication in liquid form filling said annular gap and reaching the nozzle of said jet, the inhalable medication becomes being entrained in the breathable gas from said secondary gas source issuing from said nozzle; and

a nebulizer connector removably attached to said nebulizer bottle, said nebulizer connector containing a baffle centered said nebulizer connector, said baffle which disperses the second breathable gas from said secondary gas source issuing from said nozzle and having inhalable medication entrained therein into the gas jet stream, and said nebulizer connector having an outlet in communication with said second inlet valve;

whereby a patient can receive a prescribed dosage of medication simultaneously with the first breathable gas to prevent hypoxia and shortness of breath.

2. The respiratory therapy mask according to claim 1, said first main breathable gas supply assembly includes a hollow cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, said hollow cylindrical body having a main gas supply inlet provided intermediate said first end of said hollow cylindrical body and said second end of said hollow cylindrical body, said first end of said hollow cylindrical body being in communication with said first inlet, and said second end of said hollow cylindrical body being in direct communication with a collapsible bag.

3. The respiratory therapy mask according to claim 2, said second inlet is defined by a conduit extending from said mask portion, said conduit having a first end in communication with said cavity and a second end in communication with said nebulizer, said nebulizer being removably attached to said second end of said conduit by a friction fit.

4. The respiratory therapy mask according to claim 3, wherein a cap is friction fit on the second end of said conduit when said nebulizer assembly is removed.

5. The respiratory therapy mask according to claim 4, wherein said second inlet is defined by a conduit extending from said mask portion, said conduit having a first end in communication with said cavity and a second end in communication with said nebulizer, said second end of said conduit having screw threads provided thereat to thereby allow removable attachment of said nebulizer.

6. The respiratory therapy mask according to claim 5, wherein a cap is threadably mounted on the second end of said conduit when said nebulizer assembly is removed.