Apparatus for positioning a nasal cannula

• US 8,453,649 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: O2OOL, LLC
• Original Assignee: 0200l LLC
• Inventors: O'Leary, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): STIGELL, THEODORE J
• Application Number:
  US12/705,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20100206312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 604/174, 128/207.11, 128/207.14, 128/207.17, 128/207.18
• 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: A61M 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0208 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 Mouth

Abstract

A harness for securely positioning a nasal cannula on the face of a person for orally administering oxygen and other gases is described. A flexible chin strap adapted for placement around the chin of the person may be attached to adjustable, flexible straps effective for draping around the ears of the person, which are in turn attached to a central, cannula attachment portion disposed between the cannula and the face of the person. The gas delivery tubes of the cannula are also disposed behind the ears, essentially following the path of the flexible straps of the harness. Once placed on a person, the harness holds the nasal cannula such that the nasal prongs may disposed facing toward the mouth opening in the vicinity of the lower lip thereof, and may deliver gases to a mouth-breathing individual. Another embodiment of the harness may be utilized to position a nasal cannula for nasal administration of gas.

Claims

1. Apparatus for positioning a nasal cannula on the face of a person for oral administration of gas, comprising:

a cannula support member disposed between said nasal cannula and the face of said person, and having a first end and an opposing second end;

at least one flexible closure for securing said nasal cannula to said support member;

a first strap attached at one end to the first end of said support, and having a free distal end;

a second strap attached at one end to the second end of said support member, and having a free distal end; and

a chin strap attached to said first strap and to said second strap adapted for fitting around the chin of said person, whereby said first strap, said second strap and said chin strap are effective for securing said support member at a chosen location on the face of said person.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for forming a loop in each of said first strap and said second strap effective for fitting around an ear of said person.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for fastening said first strap and said second strap together in the vicinity of the distal end thereof around the head of said person.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chin strap is elastic.

5. Apparatus for positioning a nasal cannula on the face of a person for oral administration of gas, comprising:

a cannula support member disposed between said nasal cannula and the face of said person, and having a first end and an opposing second end;

a spring clip attached to said support member for securing said nasal cannula to said support member;

a first strap attached at one end to the first end of said support member, and having a free distal end;

a second strap attached at one end to the second end of said support member, and having a free distal end; and

a chin strap attached to said first strap and to said second strap adapted for fitting around the chin of said person, whereby said first strap, said second strap and said chin strap are effective for securing said support member at a chosen location on the face of said person.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising means for forming a loop in each of said first strap and said second strap effective for fitting around an ear of said person.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising means for fastening said first strap and said second strap together in the vicinity of the distal end thereof around the head of said person.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said chin strap is elastic.

9. Apparatus for positioning a nasal cannula on the face of a person for oral administration of gas, comprising:

a cannula support member disposed between said nasal cannula and the face of said person, said support member having a first end and an opposing second end;

at least one flexible closure for securing said nasal cannula to said support member;

a first strap having a closed loop portion adapted to fit over an ear of said person, and attached to the first end of said support member;

a second strap having a closed loop portion adapted to fit over a second ear of said person, and attached to the second end of said support member; and

a chin strap attached to said first strap and to said second strap adapted for fitting around the chin of said person, whereby said first strap, said second strap and said chin strap are effective for securing said support member at a chosen location on the face of said person.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said chin strap is elastic.

11. Apparatus for positioning a nasal cannula on the face of a person for oral administration of gas, comprising:

a cannula support member disposed between said nasal cannula and the face of said person, said support member having a first end and an opposing second end;

a spring clip attached to said support member for securing said nasal cannula to said support member;

a first strap having a closed loop portion adapted for fitting over an ear of said person, and attached one end of said support member;

a second strap having a closed loop portion adapted for fitting over a second ear of said person, and attached to the second end of said support member; and

a chin strap attached to said first strap and to said second strap adapted for fitting around the chin of said person, whereby said first strap, said second strap and said chin strap are effective for securing said support member at a chosen location on the face of said person.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said chin strap is elastic.