US20020066452A1 - Nasal cannula retainer - Google Patents

Abstract

A nasal cannula retainer has a flexible member and cannula grips. The flexible member has a central nose portion with an adhesive backing for adhering to a patient's nose and two cheek portions connected to the nose portion, each of the cheek portions having an adhesive backing for adhering to a patient's cheek. The adhesive layers are covered with a peel layer which is removed prior to applying the retainer. The cannula grips are attached to the cheek portions to secure a nasal cannula on each of the patient's cheeks. The grips are releasable and reusable, allowing the cannula to be repositioned or temporarily removed without the need for the retainer to be discarded and replaced, and without the use of tape to secure the cannula to the retainer after the cannula is repositioned.

Description

• This is a continuation of U.S. Application Ser. No. 09/114,988, filed Jul. 14, 1998.[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention is directed to a means for securing nasal cannulae, and more specifically to nasal cannulae which are used to provide oxygen to a patient.[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Currently nasal cannulae are held in place by routing the cannula tubing over the ears of a patient and retaining them on the patient's head by use of elastic bands. This routing has a disadvantage in that the cannula often becomes dislodged from the patient's nose when the patient moves. In addition, such a routing is uncomfortable for the patient, especially when the cannula must be in place for long periods of time, as is common. For example, the patient's skin may become chafed and irritated by movement of the patient's head, and the cannula may be pulled when the patient moves during sleep.[0003]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A nasal cannula retainer has a flexible member and cannula grips. The flexible member has a central nose portion with an adhesive backing for adhering to a patient's nose and two cheek portions connected to the nose portion, each of the cheek portions having an adhesive backing for adhering to a patient's cheek. The adhesive layers are covered with a peel layer which is removed prior to applying the retainer.[0004]
• The cannula grips are attached to the cheek portions to secure a nasal cannula on each of the patient's cheeks. The grips are releasable and reusable, allowing the cannula facilely to be repositioned or temporarily removed without the need for the retainer to be discarded and replaced, and without the use of tape to secure the cannula to the retainer after the cannula is repositioned. Since the grips do not use an adhesive, there is no adhesive residue on a repositioned cannula that otherwise might cause the cannula to become dirty or to stick to the patient or to other items.[0005]
• The nasal cannula retainer of the present invention offers several other advantages over the various prior devices: the cannula grips are securely attached to the patient, better and more securely anchoring the cannula when compared with devices which attach to the cannula by means of flexible tape strips or loops; the cannula grips are attached to the patient's cheeks, where they are close enough to where the cannula enters the patient's nose to minimize the problem of the cannula becoming dislodged from the nose or misaligned relative to the nostril(s) when the patient moves his or her head, and where the retainer does not interfere with the patient's eating or drinking and does not get soiled by eating and drinking; and the flexible member is attached to both the nose and cheeks of the patient, so that any forces tending to pull off the retainer are spread over a large area.[0006]
• The grips have many possible designs. Some of the possible designs for the grips are enumerated below, although the invention is not limited to these designs.[0007]
• The grips may be snap-in clips made of a resilient material, each grip having either a single piece or multiple pieces. Such clips may have a semicircular recess conforming to the cannula. Alternatively, the clips may each include a base portion and protrusions attached to the base, the protrusions securing the cannula when it is snapped into the clip.[0008]
• The grips may be hinged clamps with a releasable locking device, each section of a clamp having a semi-circular recess conforming to the shape of the cannula.[0009]
• The grips may include a strip or strips made of synthetic material with separable adhering hooks and loops, such as the material sold under the trademark VELCRO.[0010]
• According to one aspect of the invention, a nasal cannula retainer includes a flexible member for adhering to a patient, and a pair of releasable and reusable grips attached to the flexible member for securing a nasal cannula on opposite sides of a nose of a patient.[0011]
• According to another aspect of the invention, a method of releasably retaining a nasal cannula includes the steps of adhering a nasal cannula retainer having a pair of releasable and reusable grips to a patient such that the grips are on opposite sides of a nose of the patient, and securing the nasal cannula with the grips.[0012]
• According to yet another aspect of the invention, a nasal cannula retainer includes a bendable substrate having an adhesive layer thereon for adhering to a patient, and a pair of releasable fasteners attached to the substrate for holding the cannula, the fasteners being on opposite sides of a nose of the patient.[0013]
• To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.[0014]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the annexed drawings:[0015]
• FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and back views, respectively, of a nasal cannula retainer of the present invention;[0016]
• FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the nasal cannula retainer looking along[0017]line1C-1C of FIG. 1A;
• FIG. 2 is plan view of the nasal cannula retainer shown in FIG. 1, securing a cannula in the nostrils of a patient;[0018]
• FIG. 3 is a side view of a snap-in clip which may be used for gripping a nasal cannula as part of the retainer of the present invention;[0019]
• FIGS. 4A and 4B are plan and side views, respectively, of a snap-in clip with protrusions which may be used for gripping a nasal cannula as part of the retainer of the present invention;[0020]
• FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the clip of FIGS. 4A and 4B showing a nasal cannula retained in position therein;[0021]
• FIG. 4D is an end view of a grip similar to that shown in FIGS.[0022]4A-4C but with curved protrusions;
• FIG. 5 is a side view of a releasable clamp type clip which may be used for gripping a nasal cannula as part of the retainer of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a side view of a clip formed of a folded strip of synthetic material having adhering hooks and loops at respective ends, which may be used for gripping a nasal cannula as part of the retainer of the present invention;[0023]
• FIG. 7 is a side view of a clip formed by a pair of strips of synthetic material respectively having adhering hooks and loops, which may be used for gripping a nasal cannula as part of the retainer of the present invention; and[0024]
• FIG. 8 is a side elevation schematic view of a portion of a nasal cannula retainer according to an embodiment of the invention showing placement of a clip thereof.[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Referring initially to FIGS.[0026]1A-1C and2, anasal cannula retainer10 is used to retain anasal cannula12 such thatoutlet ports14 of thecannula12 remain innostrils16 ofpatient20. Theretainer10 includes aflexible member22 which has acentral nose portion24 and a pair ofcheek portions26. Themember22 may be made out of materials commonly used for medical devices where skin contact, conformability and flexibility are required. Several non-limiting examples of such material include plastic, cloth or fabric or other materials which can provide the functions requirements described herein.
• The[0027]member22 has anadhesive backing27, covered prior to use by apeel layer28. Thepeel layer28 is removable from theadhesive backing27 with the aid of one ormore tabs29 attached to thepeel layer28. The adhesive backing27 on themember22 is used to adhere themember22 to thepatient20. Specifically, thenose portion24 is adhered to anose30 of thepatient20, and thecheek portions26 are adhered tocheeks32 of thepatient20. The adhesive material forming the adhesive backing may be located only at selected areas (less than all) of themember22, examples being at thenose portion24 and/or at thecheek portions26. Preferably the adhesive backing is at the nose and cheek portions. If desired, theadhesive backing27 may cover the entire or substantially the entire surface of themember22 for adhering themember22 to the face of a patient, e.g., as is illustrated in FIG. 2.
• The[0028]retainer10 hasreleasable grips34, schematically illustrated in FIGS.1A-1C and2, which are glued or otherwise attached to thecheek portions26. Thegrips34 retain thecannula12 in twolocations36,38 on opposite sides of thenose30. Several grips which may be used in theretainer10 are described below with respect to several other drawing figures; these are exemplary, and it will be appreciated that other types of grips may be used in accordance with the present invention.
• The[0029]grips34 are securely attached to thepatient20 via thecheek portions26; this provides better anchoring of thecannula12 when compared with devices which attach a cannula by means of flexible tape strips or loops. Retaining thecannula12 atlocations36,38 close to thecheeks32 of thepatient20 minimizes the problem of theoutlet ports14 becoming dislodged from thenostrils16 when the patient20 moves his or her head. Also, locating theflexible member22 and thegrips34 away frommouth40 of thepatient20 keeps theretainer10 from getting soiled when the patient20 eats or drinks.
• The relatively wide extent or area of the[0030]retainer10 provides increased stability when compared with prior art devices. Also, theflexible member22, being attached to the patient20 over a large area encompassing parts of both thenose30 and thecheeks32, e.g. by the adhesive27, is well-secured against forces tending to pull away or otherwise to dislodge theretainer10 from thepatient20.
• The[0031]grips34, being releasable and reusable, allow thecannula12 to be repositioned or temporarily removed without the need for theretainer10 to be discarded and replaced, and without the use of tape to secure thecannula12 to theretainer10 after thecannula12 is repositioned. Since thegrips34 do not ordinarily require an adhesive to secure them to thecannula12, there is no adhesive residue on a repositioned or reattached cannula; such adhesive residue might otherwise cause the cannula to become dirty or to stick to the patient or to other items.
• One method of adhering the[0032]grips34 to theflexible member22 is shown in FIG. 1C. There thegrip34 is shown with a protrudingbase42, which is immersed in anadhesive layer44, and is covered by anupper layer46 of flexible material. The adhesive of thelayer44 may be the same as that of thebacking27, and the material of theupper layer46 may be the same as that of themember22. Theadhesive layer44 holds together theretainer22, grip34 (including the protruding base42) and thelayer46; and the protruding base42 (e.g., the illustrated extending flange portions thereof) is sandwiched between theretainer22 and thelayer46 for secure retention and protection of that portion of the base and of the grip itself. It will be appreciated that many other techniques may be used to secure thegrips34 to theflexible member22.
• Many possible forms of[0033]grip34 can be employed. One embodiment is a snap-inclip50 shown in FIG. 3. Theclip50 has abase52 and a pair ofarms54 extending from thebase52. Thebase52 and thearms54 may be formed as a single piece. Thebase52 and thearms54 cooperate to enclose arecess56 in theclip50. Therecess56 has a substantially semi-circular cross-section. Thearms54 are made of a resilient material. For example, theclip50 may be a molded plastic device. As thecannula12 is pressed down along theopening58, thearms54 flex outward and thecannula12 deforms such that thecannula12 can enter into therecess56.Projections60 on thearms54 retain thecannula12 in therecess56. Thecannula12 can be released from theclip50 by flexing thearms54 outward such that theprojections60 are sufficiently far apart to allow thecannula12 to exit through theopening58. If the cannula is flexible and resilient, it can be squeezed to slidepast projections60 for insertion into or removal from theclip50, after which the cannula resiliently expands to its normal shape.
• FIGS. 4A, 4B and[0034]4C show an alternative embodiment of grip in the form of aclip70. Theclip70 has abase72 and protrusions, bumps, legs orposts74, which are arranged in a pair of rows (preferably parallel rows) and are attached to thebase72. Theclip70 may be of rigid material or resilient material. For example, theclip70 may be a molded plastic device or a rubber device. Thecannula12 is pressed down onto theclip70 alongdirection76, between the two rows of protrusions, which may provide an interference fit for thecannula12. Theprotrusions74 may be relatively stiff or rigid, and in such case thecannula12 resiliently deforms slightly where it is compressed between respective protrusions, for example, as is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4C; and friction between the cannula and protrusions holds the cannula in theclip70. Alternatively, theprotrusions74 may be resilient, and, thus, they move apart to permit thecannula12 to enter and then to lock thecannula12 in place after it snaps into place between respective rows of protrusions.
• As another alternative,[0035]clip70′shown in FIG. 4D (primed and double primed reference numerals designate parts that are similar to those designated by the corresponding unprimed reference numeral) hascurved protrusions74′. In such case thecannula12 is pressed through thearea76 between respective opposite pairs ofprotrusions74′into thearea78 of theclip70′. Thearea76 is narrower than the width or outside diameter of thecannula12. Therefore, either theprotrusions74′or thecannula12 or both deform(s) to allow the cannula to be pressed past thearea76 into thearea78 for retention therein. The curved distal ends74″ of theprotrusions74′retain thecannula12 in thearea78 of theclip70′, and interference fit of thecannula12 withprotrusions74′, e.g., as in FIG. 4C, also may hold the cannula in theclip70′.
• FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of[0036]grip34, a hingedclamp80. Theclamp80 consists of twohalves82 hingedly connected at ahinge point84, such as a hinge pin, a flexible hinge, integral molded hinge as part of thehalves82 or the like. Thehalves82 have semicircularinner surfaces86 that combine when theclamp80 is closed to secure thecannula12 between thehalves82. Theclamp80 has a releasable locking mechanism, such as the mechanism shown in FIG. 5 as including a pair of releasable interlocking hooks88,90, thehook88 made of a resilient material such that it can resiliently deform, slide past and grab on to thehook90.
• FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of grip in the form of a[0037]clamping device100 which includes a strip or strips102,104 made of synthetic material with separable adheringhooks106 andloops108, such as the material sold under the trademark VELCRO. Theclamping device100 shown in FIG. 6 traps and secures thecannula12 between the strip ofmaterial102, which hashooks106, and the other of thestrip104 which hasloops108 or fluffy material, which cooperate with the hooks to hold thestrips102,104 together. One of thestrips102 may have anadhesive backing109 for adhering to theflexible member22, or some other means may be used for such purpose. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, thestrips102,104 are a single piece of material which is folded at109, e.g., the fold serves as a hinge, and thehooks106 andloops108 are at respective distal ends of the material. Alternatively, thestrips102,104 may be separate and each may have hooks and loops respectively at opposite ends to cooperate with those on the other strip to hold the two strips together to retain thecannula12 therebetween, e.g., as is depicted in FIG. 7 described below.
• Another grip in the form of a[0038]clamping device120 shown in FIG. 7 is similar to thedevice100 of FIG. 6. Thedevice120 hasstrips102′,104′which are connected by a connectingsection124, thereby preventing loss of one of the strips from the other when they are not adhered. One of the strips orlayers102′,104′may have anadhesive backing129 for adhering to theflexible member22. Thestrips102′,104′also may have VELCRO or VELCRO type material130 separably adhering together both ends of bothstrips102′,104′on both sides of thecannula12 as shown, thus holding the cannula to theretainer22.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary technique for the integral formation of the[0039]grip212 to thecheek portion216 as a single unit. Thegrip212 and thecheek portion216 may be formed as a single unit, for example, by molding, by heat treating, or by adding additional hardener in the vicinity of thegrip212 as the member202 is formed. Thegrip212 is shown schematically and it is representative of the several exemplary grips described and illustrated herein and/or of other grips which provide the function of holding thecannula12 to theretainer10.
• Thus the present invention provides a means for releasably retaining a nasal cannula by securing the cannula with grips attached to the cheeks of a patient via an adhesive-backed flexible member. The use of releasable and reusable grips allows the cannula to be repositioned or temporarily removed without replacing the retainer or using tape to attach the cannula to the retainer. The retainer thus is able to achieve a long service life while securely attaching the cannula to the patient.[0040]
• What has been described above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such equivalents, alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.[0041]

Claims (29)

What is claimed is:

1. A nasal cannula retainer comprising:

a flexible member for adhering to a patient; and

a pair of releasable and reusable snap-in clips attached to the flexible member for securing a nasal cannula on opposite sides of and distal to a nose of a patient.

2. The retainer ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible member has an adhesive backing.

3. The retainer ofclaim 1, wherein the clips have a cross-section with a generally semi-circular recess therein conforming to a cannula.

4. The retainer ofclaim 3, wherein each of the clips includes a base and a pair of arms extending from the base.

5. The retainer ofclaim 4, wherein the base and the arms of each of the clips are a single plastic piece.

6. The retainer ofclaim 4, wherein each of the arms has a projection thereupon useable for retaining a cannula.

7. A nasal cannula retainer comprising:

a flexible member for adhering to a patient; and

a pair of releasable and reusable grips attached to the flexible member for securing a nasal cannula on opposite sides of a nose of a patient;

wherein the flexible member has a central nose portion configured to be in contact with the nose, and a pair of cheek portions with adhesive backing for adhering to cheeks of the patient.

8. The retainer ofclaim 7, wherein the grips are attached to the cheek portions.

9. The retainer ofclaim 8, wherein the grips are clamps.

10. The retainer ofclaim 9, wherein each of the clamps includes a releasable locking mechanism.

11. The retainer ofclaim 10, wherein each of the clamps includes a pair of sections each with a generally semi-circular recess therein conforming to a cannula, the sections hingedly connected to one another.

12. The retainer ofclaim 8, wherein the grips each include a strip which includes a synthetic material having adhering hooks.

13. The retainer ofclaim 12, wherein the strip also includes a synthetic material having loops, the material having hooks separably adherable to the material having loops so as to secure a cannula therebetween.

14. The retainer ofclaim 13, wherein the strip also includes a connecting section separating the material having loops from the material having hooks.

15. The retainer ofclaim 13, wherein one of the materials has an adhesive backing for attachment to one of the cheek sections.

16. The retainer ofclaim 8, wherein the grips include means for retaining a cannula.

17. The retainer ofclaim 7, wherein the central nose portion has adhesive backing for adhering to the nose.

18. A method of releasably retaining a nasal cannula, comprising the steps of:

adhering a nasal cannula retainer having a pair of releasable and reusable adhesiveless grips to a patient such that the grips are on opposite sides of and distal to a nose of the patient; and

securing the nasal cannula with the grips.

19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the grips are clamps each with a releasable locking mechanism, and the step of securing includes placing the cannula into the clamps and locking the clamps.

20. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the grips each include a strip which includes a synthetic material having adhering hooks and a synthetic material having loops, and the step of securing includes adhering the material having hooks to the material having loops so as to secure the cannula therebetween.

21. A method of releasably retaining a nasal cannula, comprising the steps of:

adhering a nasal cannula retainer having a pair of releasable and reusable grips to a patient such that the grips are on opposite sides of a nose of the patient, the adhering including removing a peel layer which covers an adhesive backing of cheek portions of the retainer, positioning the retainer over the nose, and pressing the adhesive backing against cheeks of the patient; and

securing the nasal cannula with the grips at the cheek portions.

22. A nasal cannula retainer comprising:

a bendable substrate having an adhesive layer thereon for adhering to a patient; and

a pair of releasable adhesiveless fasteners attached to the substrate for holding the cannula, the fasteners being on opposite sides of and distal to a nose of the patient.

23. The retainer ofclaim 22, wherein the substrate includes parts for adhering the retainer to the nose and to cheeks of the patient.

24. The retainer ofclaim 22, wherein the fasteners are snap-in clips.

25. The retainer ofclaim 24, wherein the snap-in clips are made of a resilient material.

26. The retainer ofclaim 25, wherein the clips have a cross-section with a generally semi-circular recess therein conforming to a cannula.

27. The retainer ofclaim 26, wherein each of the clips includes a base and a pair of arms extending from the base.

28. The retainer ofclaim 27, wherein the base and the arms of each of the clips are a single plastic piece.

29. The retainer ofclaim 27, wherein each of the arms has a projection thereupon useable for retaining a cannula.

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