Breathing assistance apparatus

• US 9,974,914 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2014
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: McAuley, Alastair Edwin, Prentice, Craig Robert, Gleeson, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixon, Annette
• Application Number:
  US14/333,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20150013678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 12820418, 12820423, 12820525, 12820611, 12820713, 12820718, 128858, 128912
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• 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: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/109 the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking

Abstract

In one embodiment, a nasal cannula is shaped to fit within a user'"'"'s nares, where the nasal cannula includes at least one prong allowing high flow delivery of humidified gases and creates positive airway pressure in the patient'"'"'s airway. The prongs have angled ends such that, in use, gases flowing through the prongs are directed to the user'"'"'s nasal passages. The nasal cannula body is partially swivelling and preferably has a ball joint connector. In another embodiment the nasal cannula may have at least one flared end prong that preferably seals within a patient'"'"'s nare.

Claims

1. A nasal cannula configured to deliver humidified gases to a user, the nasal cannula comprising:

a prong part comprising a prong part body having a first end with two openings, a second end with a single opening, and two prongs extending from the two openings, respectively and integrally formed with the first end and the second end, the two prongs spaced from each other and shaped to fit within nares of a user in use, the second end being disposed opposite the first end along a central axis extending through the first and second ends, the prong part body comprising an outer surface extending around the central axis and between the first and second ends, the outer surface having at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion facing toward a user'"'"'s face in use and the second portion facing away from a user'"'"'s face in use, the first portion comprising a curved segment disposed between the first and second ends and curving inwardly toward an interior of the prong part body; and

a body part having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the prong part body is configured to be connected to the first end of the body part, and the second end of the body part is configured to be coupled to a conduit configured to supply humidified gases to the nasal cannula, the body part further comprising an outer surface having at least a user-side portion facing toward a user'"'"'s face in use, the user-side portion comprising a curved part, curving inward toward an interior of the body part;

wherein the two prongs are angled toward each other and toward the central axis, the two prongs having a first side adjacent the curved segment and a second side adjacent the second portion, the first sides of the two prongs being disposed further apart than the second sides of the two prongs.

2. The nasal cannula of claim 1, wherein the second end of the body part is disposed opposite to the first end of the body part and, when the prong part is connected to the body part, each of the two prongs extend from the prong part along a first axis that is substantially parallel to a second axis extending from the first end of the body part to the second end of the body part.

3. The nasal cannula of claim 1 further comprising first and second headgear extensions on the body part and a headgear strap coupled to the body part at the first and second headgear extensions, the first and second headgear extensions being disposed on left and right sides of the user-side portion respectively.

4. The nasal cannula of claim 1, wherein each of the two prongs comprises a flange proximate, but spaced from, its end, wherein the flange is configured to cause sealing of the respective prong in an associated nare of a user in use.

5. The nasal cannula of claim 1, wherein the second end of the body part is configured to be coupled to the conduit.

6. The nasal cannula of claim 1, wherein the first end, the second end, and the two prongs of the prong part is made of a single piece of silicone.

7. The nasal cannula of claim 1, wherein the body part is made of a rigid plastic material.

8. The nasal cannula of claim 1, wherein the body part comprises a plurality of apertures configured to externally vent gases exhaled by the user through the nares of the user, the plurality of apertures facing away from a user'"'"'s face in use.

9. A nasal cannula configured to deliver humidified gases to a user, the nasal cannula comprising:

a prong part comprising;

a prong part body having a first end with two openings, a second end with a single opening, and an outer surface extending between the two openings of the first end and the single opening of the second end and having at least a curved user-side portion facing toward a user'"'"'s face in use, the user-side portion curving inwardly toward an interior of the prong part body; and

two prongs extending from and integrally formed with the first end of the prong part body, the two prongs being angled toward each other, each of the two prongs having a first side adjacent the user-side portion and a second side opposite the first side, the first sides of the two prongs being disposed further apart than the second sides of the two prongs,

the prongs being spaced from each other and being shaped to fit within corresponding nares of a user to deliver the gases thereto in use, and

the second end of the prong part body being disposed opposite to the first end and being configured to receive the humidified gases.

10. The nasal cannula of claim 9, wherein the prong part is made of silicone and is configured to be coupled to a more rigid body part.

11. The nasal cannula of claim 9 further comprising a body part having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the prong part is configured to be connected to the first end of the body part, the second end of the body part being configured to be coupled to a conduit configured to supply humidified gases to the nasal cannula, and air flowing through the body part being in the same direction as the prongs extend from the prong part body, the body part further comprising an outer surface having at least a curved user-side portion facing toward the user'"'"'s face in use, the user-side portion curving inward toward an interior of the body part.

12. The nasal cannula of claim 11, wherein the prong part is made of silicone and the body part is made of a more rigid plastic material.

13. The nasal cannula of claim 11, wherein the body part comprises a plurality of apertures configured to externally vent gases exhaled through nares of a user in use, the plurality of apertures facing away from a user'"'"'s face in use.

14. The nasal cannula of claim 13, wherein the body part comprises a recessed surface, and the plurality of apertures are positioned on the recessed surface.

15. The nasal cannula of claim 9, further comprising a body part configured to be connected to the second end of the prong part and a headgear arrangement configured to maintain the prong part in a position with the two prongs against a user'"'"'s nares in use, the headgear arrangement comprising first and second headgear extensions and a headgear strap, the first headgear extension having a distal end connected to a left peripheral side of the body part on a distal side of the prong part at a location spaced from a user in use, and a proximal end disposed proximally toward a left side of a user'"'"'s face in use.

16. The nasal cannula of claim 15, wherein the first headgear extension comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the first headgear extension comprising the distal end of the first headgear extension and extending at least along a first lateral direction extending laterally away from the left peripheral side of the body part and beyond an outer periphery of the prong part.

17. The nasal cannula of claim 16, wherein the second portion of the first headgear extension extends from the first portion, along a second direction extending more proximally toward a user in use than the first direction in use, the second headgear extension having a distal end connected to a right peripheral side of the body part on the distal side of the prong part at a location spaced from a user in use, and a proximal end disposed proximally toward a right side of a user'"'"'s face in use.

18. The nasal cannula of claim 17, wherein the second headgear extension comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the second headgear extension comprising the distal end of the second headgear extension and extending at least along a third lateral direction extending laterally away from the body part and beyond the outer periphery of the prong part, the second portion of the second headgear extension extending from the first portion, along a fourth direction extending more proximally toward the user than the third direction in use.

19. The nasal cannula of claim 18, wherein the first portion of the first headgear extension and the first portion of the second headgear extension extend laterally outward distally of a sealing location between the prong part and the body part and the second portion of the first headgear extension and the second portion of the second headgear extension terminate proximally of the sealing location between the prong part and the body part.

20. The nasal cannula of claim 9, further comprising a body part, an outlet of the body part configured to be connected to the second end of the prong part, wherein a horizontal direction of the body part extends from an inlet of the body part toward the two prongs, and a vertical direction extends perpendicular to the horizontal direction, wherein an outer surface of the body part comprises at least a left side curved portion and a right side curved portion, the left side curved portion comprising a left side apex and the right side curved portion comprising a right side apex, the outer surface having a first height along the vertical direction at a location between the left side apex and the right side apex, the nasal cannula further comprising:

a first headgear extension having a first end, the first end of the headgear extension attached to the left side apex, the first end of the first headgear extension having a second height along the vertical direction at a connection between the first end and the left side apex; and

a second headgear extension having a first end attached to the right side apex, the first end of the second headgear extension having a third height along the vertical direction at the connection between the first end of the second headgear extension and the right side apex, wherein the second and third heights are smaller than the first height.

21. The nasal cannula of claim 20, wherein the first height is at a location between the left side curved portion and the right side curved portion.

22. The nasal cannula according to claim 9 additionally comprising a more rigid body part comprising an extension, wherein the second end of the prong body part sealingly engages the extension, when assembled.

23. The nasal cannula of claim 9 additionally comprising a more rigid body part comprising a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a partial spherical opening configured to engage a ball jointed connector and wherein the second end of the more rigid body part comprising an extension configured to sealingly engage the second end of the prong body part.

24. The nasal cannula of claim 23, wherein a maximum dimension of the partially spherical opening is larger than an internal height of the extension.

25. The nasal cannula of claim 9, wherein the two openings are disposed on proximal ends of the two prongs and are oval in shape and angled toward one another such that angles are formed between midlines of said openings.

26. The nasal cannula of claim 25, wherein the curved user-side portion includes an apex, and an axis defined through said apex intersects with the midlines at a position that is exterior to the prong part body.

27. The nasal cannula of claim 26, wherein the curved user-side portion is positioned between the midlines.

28. The nasal cannula of claim 9 additionally comprising a more rigid body connected to the prong part body and having a distal end, the distal end of the more rigid body comprising an external surface that is a partially spherical.