Headgear for noninvasive ventilation interface

• US 7,178,528 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ventlab Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ventlab Corporation
• Inventors: Reed, Christopher B., Lau, Greg Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett; Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, NIHIR B
• Application Number:
  US11/069,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20060196511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.18, 128/200.24, 128/DIG.26, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/207.11, 128/206.28, 128/201.22, 128/206.26, 128/206.18, 128/206.11, 128/202.27, 128/206.27, 128/201.23, 128/201.29
• 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: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets

Abstract

The present invention is a headgear for noninvasive ventilation interface made up of a nasal cannula including cannula tubing having a given outside diameter, and a headgear yoke with ends including tubing retainers. The yoke is adapted to extend transversely over a wearer'"'"'s head. The tubing retainers are C-shaped projections having a given length and an inside diameter substantially equal to the tubing outside diameter. The present invention further includes a retainer mating element for each of the C-shaped tubing retainers to prevent the tubing from kinking near the C-shaped tubing retainers. The retainer mating element has an elbow section with an open side and a clip section connected to the elbow section by a rigid beam having a length substantially equal to the C-shaped tubing retainer given length, wherein both of the sections have an inside diameter substantially equal to the tubing given outside diameter.

Claims

1. A headgear for maintaining the position of a noninvasive ventilation interface proximate to the nares of a patient comprising:

a) a nasal cannula providing a seal with said nares including cannula tubing having a given outside diameter;

b) a semi-rigid headgear yoke with a first and second side sections, said side sections having lower ends extending below the ears of said patient, said yoke being adapted to extend transversely over a wearer'"'"'s head;

c) cannula tubing retainers on said lower ends adapted for connection to said cannula tubing wherein said cannula tubing retainers are C-shaped projections having a given length and an inside diameter substantially equal to said cannula tubing outside diameter, and said projections are positioned in front of and below said patient'"'"'s ears when worn, and

d) further including a retainer mating element for each of said C-shaped retainers to prevent said cannula tubing from kinking near said C-shaped retainers, said retainer mating element having an elbow section with an open side and a clip section connected to said elbow section by a rigid beam having a length substantially equal to said C-shaped retainer given length, both of said sections having an inside diameter substantially equal to said tubing given outside diameter.

2. The headgear for maintaining the position of a noninvasive ventilation interface proximate to the nares of a patient of claim 1, wherein said C-shaped retainers and said retainer mating elements are mateable to capture and direct said cannula tubing to along the sides of the wearer'"'"'s face whenever said headgear yoke is worn extending transversely over the wearer'"'"'s head.

3. A headgear for supporting cannula tubing, and positioning a cannula in position to maintain a seal with the nares of a patient, said headgear comprising:

a) a headgear yoke adapted to extend transversely over a wearer'"'"'s head, said yoke having a top section and first and second side sections each having lower ends that when said headgear yoke is worn extend adjacent to opposite sides of the wearer'"'"'s head;

b) tubing retainers in the form of C-shaped clips integral with said lower ends for retaining and directing said cannula tubing to along the sides of the wearer'"'"'s face and said C-shaped clips are positioned in front of and below a patient'"'"'s ears when worn; and

c) further including a retainer mating element for each of said C-shaped retainers to prevent said cannula tubing from kinking near said C-shaped retainers, said retainer mating element having an elbow section with an open side and a clip section connected to said elbow section by a rigid beam having a length substantially equal to said C-shaped retainer given length, both of said sections having an inside diameter substantially equal to said cannula tubing given outside diameter.

4. A headgear for noninvasive ventilation interface, comprising:

a) a nasal cannula including cannula tubing having a given outside diameter;

b) a semi-rigid headgear yoke with a first and second side sections, said side sections having lower ends, said yoke being adapted to extend fransversely over a wearer s head;

c) C-shaped cannula tubing retainers on said lower ends having a given length and an inside diameter substantially equal to said cannula tubing outside diameter; and

d) a retainer mating element for each of said C-shaped retainers to prevent said cannula tubing from kinking near said C-shaped retainers, said retainer mating element having an elbow section with an open side and a clip section connected to said elbow section by a rigid beam having a length substantially equal to said C-shaped retainer given length, both of said sections having an inside diameter substantially equal to said tubing given outside diameter.

5. The headgear for noninvasive ventilation interface of claim 4, wherein said C-shaped retainers and said retainer mating elements are mateable to capture and direct said cannula tubing to along the sides of the wearer'"'"'s face whenever said headgear yoke is worn extending transversely over the wearer'"'"'s head.

6. A headgear for supporting cannula tubing, said headgear comprising:

a) a headgear yoke adapted to extend transversely over a wearer'"'"'s head, said yoke having a top section and first and second side sections each having lower ends that when said headgear yoke is worn extend adjacent to opposite sides of the wearer'"'"'s head;

b) tubing retainers in the form of C-shaped clips integral with said lower ends for retaining and directing said cannula tubing to along the sides of the wearer'"'"'s face, and

c) a retainer mating element for each of said C-shaped retainers to prevent said cannula tubing from kinking near said C-shaped retainers, said retainer mating element having an elbow section with an open side and a clip section connected to said elbow section by a rigid beam having a length substantially equal to said C-shaped retainer given length, both of said sections having an inside diameter substantially equal to said cannula tubing given outside diameter.