US3643660A - Nasal cannula - Google Patents

Abstract

A unified nasal cannula comprises a hollow tubular body having an upper flat or plane surface and a pair of spaced and curved elongated tubular extensions, having exterior orifices for directing a gas flow which extensions project upwardly at an angle from the surface.

Description

United States Hudson et a1.

[ 5] Feb. 22, 1972 [541 NASAL CANNULA [72] lnventors: Allan C. Hudson, 3323 Sparr Boulevard, Glendale, Calif. 91208; John M. Kinnear, 20515 San Gabriel Valley Drive, Walnut, Calif. 91789; Harold R. Havstad, 6612 Centralia, Lakewood, Calif. 90713 [22] Filed: Nov.21, 1969 [21] App1.No.: 878,628

[52] U.S.Cl ..128/206 [51] ..A6lm 15/08 [58] Field of Search ..128/205, 140 N, 198, 199, 200,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,663,297 12/1953 Tumberg ..128/206 2,215,126 9/1940 McMillin ..128/148 2,693,800 11/1954 Caldwell 1 28/206 2,763,263 9/1956 Ellman ...128/ 198 2,868,199 1/1959 Hudson ...128/206 2,931,358 4/1960 Sheridan.... ...128/206 3,161,199 12/1964 Sands ...128/348 3,400,714 9/1968 Sheridan ..128/206 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant ExaminerJ. B. Mitchell AttorneyJerry R. Seiler ABSTRACT A unified nasal cannula comprises a hollow tubular body having an upper flat or plane surface and a pair of spaced and curved elongated tubular extensions, having exterior orifices for directing a gas flow which extensions project upwardly at an angle from the surface.

13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEnrmza I972 3; 643 660 f/ g 3 I 'INVENTOR.

NASAL CANNULA BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the most efficient methods of administering therapeutic oxygen to patients has been accomplished by the use of nasal cannulae. Early cannula models were somewhat cumbersome due not only to their relatively large sizes, but also in the manner by which they were affixed to the patient. For example, devices were attached to the users forehead or utilized strap means which extended around the cheeks to the back of the patients head. With the advent of plastic tubing, a number of improvements were realized, both as to the more efficient oxygen administration, as well as to the patients comfort, for example, as disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 2,735,432 and 2,868,199. These cannulae are designed so that gases flow directly into the patients nasal passages and pharynx. This object was achieved by tilting a flattened portion of the cannula which lies against the patients face or cheeks, with respect to the plane of the elongated nasal extensions and by curving these extensions in a manner so as to conform with the shape of the nasal passageways.

Notwithstanding such improvements, there remained some disadvantages notably in the area of patient discomfort. The above-noted cannulae, as well as others, in view of their design, generally have been placed on the user so as to be primarily positioned or seated in the nasolabial area, i.e., the area between the patients upper lip and the nostrils. Even though such devices are made of soft, flexible plastic or rubber, in attempts to minimize skin irritation at the points of contact, some discomfort is known to persist. For example, when a patient is required to have prolonged oxygen administration thereby necessitating constant wearing of the cannula, both during awakening as well as sleeping hours, continued contact of the cannula, especially at the philtrum and around the unprotected upper lip and cheek areas causes inflammation and irritation. Not only does the wearer, inadvertently move the cannula while sleeping as the head moves from side to side, but when eating and/or talking, further movement occurs. There is also associated discomfort and inconvenience, particularly in talking or eating where the device is firmly positioned against the upper lip area and across the cheeks. As in the case in any instances of prolonged contact of the patients skin with an object, not only does irritation result, but inflammation and ulcerous conditions may occur after a period of time.

A further disadvantage associated with prior cannulae is in the method in which they are placed on the patient. Where a strap or elastic band is required to be secured around the back of the patients head, the head must be lifted. In cases where the patient suffers from a serious back, head or neck injury, movement of the head is quite undesirable and could cause additional injury. It is to the reduction or elimination of the above-noted disadvantages that the preset invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The nasal cannula described herein comprises a body portion having a hollow tunnel or tubular area extending therethrough and which body portion has an upper generally flat surface. A pair of spaced elongated tubular extensions extend from the flat surface. The extensions have an outer orifice for directing a gas flow to the nasal passageways of the patient and a lower interior orifice communicating with the tubular area of the body portion. The termination of the tubular area extending through the body provides an opening at each end, which openings may be connected to an oxygen supply tube. The tubular extensions are preferably curved so that they intersect the flat surface of the body portion at an angle. In use, the cannula when fitted to the patient is positioned so that the flat surface lies across the nostrils (anterior nares) and the approximate center thereof between the spaced tubular extensions rests upon the exterior nasal septum. In this manner, contact of the cannula with the upper lip area is essentially avoided with patient discomfort and .skin irritation minimized. These, as well as other advantages will be described and become more evident from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred method by which the cannula is secured to the patient utilizing the oxygen supply tubes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the construction of thenasal cannula 10 includes abody portion 11, having ahollow tunnel 17 through the entire length of the body portion II.Exterior openings 16 of thetunnel 17 are located at each end of thebody portion 11. The size or diameter of the tunnel I7 is not particularly critical so long as it is essentially uniform throughout and sufficient to allow for unrestricted passage of gas therethrough. However, the diameter of the tunnel opening 16 should be great enough to allow for insertion ofoxygen supply tubes 24 and 25. These supply tubes are preferably of catheter size, for example, having an external diameter of about 0.125 inches. Theupper surface 12 of thebody portion 11 is flattened so as to provide a smooth surface for contacting the patients nostrils and exterior nasal septum, although it may be slightly outwardly curved. The surface l2 not only provides for patient comfort, but, in addition and of more importance, prevents the cannula from turning or rotating thereby maintaining its proper position during use. Thus, with the flat surface engaging the anterior nares, the cannula does not tend to roll which would otherwise cause the tubular extensions to be displaced from within the nostrils. Therear edge 20 of theupper surface 12 is preferably rounded to provide a smooth surface should it contact the nasolabial area between a patients upper lip and nostrils. This feature is also shown in FIG. 3. The underside oflower surface 18 of the cannula body II as shown is shaped as the exterior diameter of thetunnel 17, but may have alternate form. However, in the interest of being lightweight and flexible, by molding thecannula 10 to have a general shape as shown, material requirements are minimized and simplified molding techniques may be utilized.

Integral with the cannula body I I and protruding or extending from the upperflat surface 12 are a pair of spacedtubular extensions 14. Theseextensions 14 are desirably curved, as shown, so that when placed within the nasal cavities (Note FIG. 3) they conform to the shape of the passageway as well as providing a smooth surface which may contact the delicate nasal membranes. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that the lowerinternal orifice 30 of each of thetubular extensions 14 open to thehollow tunnel 17 of thecannula body 11. Then, as oxygen is introduced into thecannula 10 through theoxygen supply tubes 24 and 25, there is an unrestricted passageway for entry of the oxygen through theorifices 30 of each of thetubular extensions 14 which oxygen then passes upward through thetubular extensions 14 and out of the upperexternal orifices 15. Thus, the oxygen is directly introduced into the patients nasal cavity and pharynx.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, thetubular extensions 14 intersect with the upperflat surface 12 of the cannula body 1 l at an angle which is preferably obtuse with the plane of thesurface 12. Thetubular extensions 14 are also preferably located at or near the forward edge of 22 of the surface I2, which location combined with the angle of intersection of the tubular extensions I4 with that surface provide maximum comfort to the patient and easy placement of thecannula extensions 14 into the nasal passageways. Although theextensions 14 may be curved to any desired extent, it has also been found that for most patients having normal nasal passageway contours where the plane of the externalgas directing orifices 15 is essentially normal to the plane of theflat surface 12, proper gas flow direction and maximum patient comfort will be achieved. However, the greater or lesser curvatures of thesetubular extensions 14 may be utilized depending on individual patient requirements. Yet, clue to the flexibility of theseextensions 14 small angle deviation is possible by inserting the cannula extensions into the patients nostrils with concomitant movement of the extensions so as to conform to the patients nasal cavity.

Another preferred feature is in utilizingflared extensions 14. The flaring is preferably uniform between the lowerinternal orifice 30 and upperexterior orifice 15, resulting in a reduced velocity gas flow from theexternal orifice 15 as compared to the velocity at which the gas enters thelower orifice 30. Thus, although the same volume of gas will be delivered to the patient, the reduced gas velocity entering the nasal cavity avoids high-velocity impingement on the delicate nasal cavity membrane which could cause oxygen burn, irritation and discomfort. The amount of flaring between theexternal orifice 15 and theinternal orifice 30 may be varied to any desired extent with diameter ratios between about 221 and about 4:l respectively being preferred.

The size of the cannula is not particularly critical with the provision that the length and width of the upperflat surface 12 to be such that it will rest comfortably when placed on the patient. Thus, for example, a length of thesurface 12 being between about 1% and about 2 inches will ensure that it will span the width of the nostrils. Further, the width of theflat surface 12, i.e., the distance between theedges 22 and 20 should be sufficient to provide a comfortable contact area with the nostrils and nasal septum, while at the same time, holding the cannula firmly in place when on the patient. However, it should also be understood that this distance should not be excessive which would otherwise causeedge 20 to engage the upper lip area excessively, resulting in discomfort or irritation. In addition, thetubular extensions 14 should be separated or spaced so that they are comfortable and can be easilyinserted into the nasal passages. It will be appreciated that such dimensional requirements will vary between individual patients depending on age, size, facial features, etc. Thus, cannula model sizes may be varied accordingly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred manner in which the cannula is worn by a patient. The cannula l rests across the patients nostril area (anterior nares) and the flexibleoxygen supply tubes 24 and 25 are brought across the patients face, over and behind the ears, down the jaw areas and brought together under the chin. A hollow slidingmember 28 of sufficient size to encompass bothtubes 24 and 25, may then be adjusted so that the cannula will remain firmly in place without the tubes being unduly taunt. Thecannula 10 may be easily removed by sliding themember 28 downwardly so that thesupply tubes 24 and 25 become loosened. In this manner the cannula can be easily placed on a patient and removed without moving the patients head. Theoxygen supply tubes 24 and 25 may be fitted into a larger oxygen supply tube which in turn is connected to an oxygen source as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The above-described invention provides an oxygen administration device which not only can be easily fitted to and removed from a patient, but which is of minimum discomfort and irritation to the patient. Thus, since the cannula essentially contacts only the exterior nostril area, its presence is realized to the minimum possible extent. Further, the patient may eat, talk, and move his head while the cannula remains firmly, yet comfortably, in place. The fat upper surface which rests comfortably against the patients anterior nares prevents cannula rotation thereby maintaining its proper position with the gas directing tubular extensions located within the nostrils rather than slip ing out even though the supply tubes are rolled or tume somewhat. The cannula also 0 ers the advantage of being simple in design, and in expensive to fabricate. The composition of the cannula is preferably of the thermoplastic composition such as polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl acetate which materials are understood to be quite pliable or flexible. Alternatively, the cannula may be fabricated from a rubber composition or other flexible synthetic materials. The cannula obviates the requirement of straps or bands thereby also simplifying manufacturing techniques and reducing costs. The unitary device may be produced by a simple molding operation with the oxygen supply tubes then attached prior to or at the time of use.

We claim:

1. A nasal cannula comprising:

an elongated body adapted to have minimal contact with a patients upper lip, said body having a tunnel extending through the length thereof terminating in an oxygen supply opening at each end, the body having a length sufficient to span the width of an average patients nostrils and an upper essentially flat surface portion being relatively thin in cross section for resting against a patient's anterior nares and a pair of spaced hollow tubular extensions'integral with and projecting upwardly from said flat surface which extensions terminate at a gas directing orifice and which hollow portion of said extensions communicate with said tunnel.

2. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the tubular extensions are curved.

3. The cannula of claim 2 wherein the tubular extensions join said flat surface at an obtuse angle.

4. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the hollow portion of each of said extensions communicates with said tunnel at a first orifice and terminates at its opposite end in a gas directing orifice said gas directing orifice being larger than said first orifice.

5. The cannula of claim 4 wherein said hollow portion of said extensions is flared uniformly between said first and said gas directing orifice.

6. The cannula of claim 1 having a flexible oxygen supply tube extending from each tunnel opening.

7. The cannula of claiml composed of a flexible material.

8. The cannula of claim 8 wherein the flexible material comprises a thermoplastic resin.

9. The cannula of claim 8 wherein the resin composition is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate. 7

10. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the length of said body is between about 1% and about 2 inches.

11. A nasal cannula for delivering oxygen containing gas comprising:

a. a generally flattened upper body portion having a flat upper surface for resting against a patient's anterior nares said upper surface having a length sufficient to span the width of an average patients nostrils, said body portion being thin in cross section so as to have minimal contact with a patients upper lip,

a hollow tunnel portion of substantially the same length as said upper body portion and attached to the underside "of said upper body portion and tenninating in an oxygen supply opening at each end, and

c. a pair of spaced hollow tubular extensions projecting upwardly from and integral with said flat surface, each end of said extensions communicating with said tunnel at a first orifice and terminating at its opposite end in a gas directing orifice.

12. The cannula ofclaim 11 wherein the length of said upper body portion is between about 1% and about 2 inches.

13. The cannula ofclaim 11 having a flexible oxygen supply tube extending from said tunnel ends.

(Hint In I A

Claims (13)

1. A nasal cannula comprising: an elongated body adapted to have minimal contact with a patient''s upper lip, said body having a tunnel extending through the length thereof terminating in an oxygen supply opening at each end, the body having a length sufficient to span the width of an average patient''s nostrils and an upper essentially flat surface portion being relatively thin in cross section for resting against a patient''s anterior nares and a pair of spaced hollow tubular extensions integral with and projecting upwardly from said flat surface which extensions terminate at a gas directing orifice and which hollow portion of said extensions communicate with said tunnel.

2. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the tubular extensions are curved.

3. The cannula of claim 2 wherein the tubular extensions join said flat surface at an obtuse angle.

4. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the hollow portion of each of said extensions communicates with said tunnel at a first orifice and terminates at its opposite end in a gas directing orifice said gas directing orifice being larger than said first orifice.

5. The cannula of claim 4 wherein said hollow portion of said extensions is flared uniformly between said first and said gas directing orifice.

6. The cannula of claim 1 having a flexible oxygen supply tube extending from each tunnel opening.

7. The cannula of claim 1 composed of a flexible material.

8. The cannula of claim 8 wherein the flexible material comprises a thermoplastic resin.

9. The cannula of claim 8 wherein the resin composition is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinyl acetate.

10. The cannula of claim 1 wherein the length of said body is between about 1 1/2 and about 2 Inches.

11. A nasal cannula for delivering oxygen containing gas comprising: a. a generally flattened upper body portion having a flat upper surface for resting against a patient''s anterior nares said upper surface having a length sufficient to span the width of an average patient''s nostrils, said body portion being thin in cross section so as to have minimal contact with a patient''s upper lip, b. a hollow tunnel portion of substantially the same length as said upper body portion and attached to the underside of said upper body portion and terminating in an oxygen supply opening at each end, and c. a pair of spaced hollow tubular extensions projecting upwardly from and integral with said flat surface, each end of said extensions communicating with said tunnel at a first orifice and terminating at its opposite end in a gas directing orifice.

12. The cannula of claim 11 wherein the length of said upper body portion is between about 1 1/2 and about 2 inches.

13. The cannula of claim 11 having a flexible oxygen supply tube extending from said tunnel ends.

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