Medical device for the treatment and prevention of eye and respiratory tract conditions

• US 7,981,097 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Engineered Strategic Visions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alexander Delli Jr. Paoli
• Inventors: Paoli, Alexander Delli Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAND, MELANIE JO
• Application Number:
  US12/056,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20090247967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 604294-296, 604/298, 604300-303, 351/65, 351/78, 351/80, 351/136, 351/138
• US Class Current: 604/298
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/044 with electrodes immersed in the liquid
• 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 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/14 by mixing different fluids, one of them being in a liquid phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/75 with filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/08 Supports for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/08 Anti-misting means, e.g. ventilating, heating H05B3/84 takes precedence; Wipers

Abstract

A medical device for the treatment and prevention of eye and respiratory tract conditions is provided. The medical device may include a pack with a pump, a filter, and a vaporizer chamber for storing fluid and selectively supplying fluid vapor to ambient air. The medical device may further include a glasses unit comprising a pair of frames and a diffuser. The medical device may further include a tube having a first end configured for connection to the pack and a second end configured for connection to the diffuser. The glasses unit may be separated from the pack when the medical device is in use. Various methods for the treatment and prevention of eye and respiratory tract conditions and a method for modifying a pair of conventional glasses for treatment are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A medical device for the treatment and prevention of eye and respiratory tract conditions comprising:

a pack comprising;

a pump for drawing in ambient air;

a filter for filtering air drawn in by said pump;

a vaporizer chamber for storing fluid and selectively supplying fluid vapor to air drawn in by said pump; and

a glasses unit for fitting over both of the eyes of a user, said glasses unit comprising;

spectacle-like frames;

a first diffuser connected to said frames, said diffuser configured to deliver air drawn in from said pump, wherein said air does not include liquid at the time of delivery; and

a removable nose pad;

a tube having a first end and a second end, said first end of said tube configured for connection to said pack and said second end of said tube configured for connection to said diffuser; and

a mask configured to form an enclosure around the nose area,

wherein said glasses unit is separated from said pack when said medical device is in use, and

wherein said nose pad includes a cannula configured for insertion into said enclosure of said mask.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said diffuser is removably connected to said frames.

3. The medical device of claim 2, further comprising a block configured to plug said frames when said diffuser is removed from said frames.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said device is portable.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein said pump is operated by a battery pack.

6. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a system for providing a visual indication or audible indication of the level of fluid in said vaporizer chamber or the flow of fluid from said vaporizer chamber.

7. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a second diffuser, wherein said first diffuser is proximal a first eye of a user and said second diffuser is proximal a second eye of said user.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein said second end of said tube comprises a first supply hose connected to said first diffuser and a second supply hose connected to said second diffuser.

9. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a valve for controlling the amount of air supplied to each side of said frames.

10. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a heater for said vaporizer chamber, said heater configured for heating said fluid above ambient temperature or maintaining a predetermined temperature of said fluid.

11. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a system for providing a visual indication or audible indication of the temperature of said vaporizer chamber.

12. A method of treating eye and respiratory tract conditions, comprising:

providing a medical device comprising;

a pack comprising;

a pump for drawing in ambient air;

a filter for filtering air drawn in by said pump;

a vaporizer chamber for storing fluid; and

selectively supplying fluid vapor to air drawn in by said pump; and

a glasses unit for fitting over both of the eyes of a user, wherein said glasses unit is separated from said pack when said medical device is in use, said glasses unit comprising;

spectacle-like frames;

a first diffuser connected to said frames, said diffuser configured to deliver air drawn in from said pump; and

a removable nose pad; and

a tube having a first end and a second end, said first end of said tube configured for connection to said pack and said second end of said tube configured for connection to said diffuser; and

a mask configured to form an enclosure around the nose area, wherein said nose pad includes a cannula configured for insertion into said enclosure of said mask;

filtering air drawn in from said pump in said filter;

delivering the filtered air to the eye area of the user, wherein the filtered air does not include liquid at the time of delivery, and

delivering the filtered air to the cannula and said enclosure of said mask.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

supplying vapor to the air drawn in from said pump; and

delivering the air to the eye area of the user.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

supplying vapor to the air drawn in from said pump; and

delivering the air to the cannula.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

introducing a medication into said vaporizer chamber; and

delivering said medication to the eye area of the user by vaporization.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

introducing a medication into said vaporizer chamber; and

delivering said medication to the cannula by vaporization.

17. A method of treating eye and respiratory tract conditions, comprising:

providing a medical device comprising;

a glasses unit for fitting over both of the eyes of a user, said glasses unit comprising;

spectacle-like frames;

a first diffuser connected to said frames;

a removable nose pad;

a mask configured to form an enclosure around the nose area; and

a cannula connected to said removable nose pad, said cannula configured for insertion into said enclosure of said mask; and

a tube having a first end and a second end, said first end of said tube configured for connection to said glasses unit;

connecting said second end of said tube to a container for medical gas;

delivering the medical gas to said glasses unit.