Facially fitting devices with illuminated placement markers

Disclosed herein are facially fitting devices, such as nasal cannulas and oxygen masks, including illuminating placement marker(s), which facilitate correct placement of the facially fitting devices on a face of a subject in dark conditions. The placement marker is powered by a thermo-electric generator, which generates electrical power via thermal coupling thereof to skin on the face of a subject when the facially fitting device is fitted, or partially fitted, on the face of the subject.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to illuminated consumables, such as illuminated oxygen masks, capnography masks, and nasal cannulas.

BACKGROUND

Facially fitting devices, such as oxygen masks and nasal cannulas may be used for oxygen therapy. Additionally or alternatively, facially fitting devices, such as oxygen masks, capnography masks, capnoxygen masks, and nasal cannulas may be used in conjunction with a capnograph to monitor breathing-related parameters of a subject.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure, according to some embodiments thereof, relate generally to facially fitting devices, such as oxygen masks, capnography masks, capnoxygen masks, and nasal cannulas. More specifically, but not exclusively, aspects of the disclosure, according to some embodiments thereof, relate generally to facially fitting devices including illuminating placement markers.

The facially fitting devices of the disclosure include one or more illuminating placement markers, which facilitate correct placement of the facially fitting devices on a face of a subject, for example, in non-controlled conditions such as dark conditions (e.g. in the field at night). Advantageously, the placement markers are powered by one or more thermo-electric generators (TEGs), which generate electrical power, via the Seebeck effect, through thermal coupling thereof to skin on the face of a subject when the facially fitting device is fitted, or partially fitted, on the face of the subject.

According to some embodiments, beyond facilitating correct placement, the illumination provided by the placement marker(s) advantageously eases medical intervention operations, such as oral/nasal treatments and device insertion.

Thus, according to an aspect of some embodiments, there is provided a facially fitting device for delivering gas to, and/or collecting gas from, a subject. The device includes:A gas port configured to be fluidly connected to an external system for providing and/or collecting gas.At least one contact portion, each configured to contact at least one skin surface at, or near, a nose-mouth region, or near a nose, when the device is at least partially fitted on the face of a subject.At least one thermo-electric generator (TEG) wherein a first side thereof is exposed or thermally exposed on the least one contact portion, and configured to be powered through a temperature difference between the skin surface and a second side of the TEG.At least one light source, powered by the at least one TEG and positioned on the device such as to illuminate the nose-mouth region or the nose, and/or parts of the face on sides of the nose, when the device is at least partially fitted on the face of a subject.

According to some embodiments, the device is a nasal cannula including a main body portion and one or two hollow nasal prongs. Each of the one or two hollow nasal prongs extends upward from the main body portion and is configured to be fitted into a respective nostril of the subject. The main body portion includes the contact portion and the gas port, which is fluidly connected to the one or two hollow nasal prongs.

According to some embodiments, the contact portion contacts a skin surface between the upper lip of the subject and the nose of the subject when the device is at least partially fitted on the face of a subject.

According to some embodiments, the external system is an oxygen source and/or a capnograph.

According to some embodiments, the main body portion further includes a second gas port configured to be fluidly connected to the external system. The main body portion further includes nasal oxygen delivery perforations, fluidly connected to the second gas port. The external system is configured to provide supplemental oxygen via the second gas port and collect exhaled breath via the gas port.

According to some embodiments, the device further includes an oral scoop element adjacent to the main body portion from below. The oral scoop element is configured, when the device is fitted on the face of the subject, to extend over a mouth of the subject, and to collect orally exhaled breath via an oral breath collection opening in the oral scoop element. The oral breath collection opening is fluidly coupled to the gas port.

According to some embodiments, the contact portion measures between about 1 cm2to about 10 cm2and is configured to allow providing power to the light source in the range of about 1 μW to about 1 mW.

According to some embodiments, the TEG and the light source are centrally positioned on the main body portion, such as to illuminate the nose from below.

According to some embodiments, the at least one TEG includes two TEGs respectively positioned on a right section and a left section of the main body portion, and the at least one light source includes two light sources respectively positioned on the right section and the left section, such as to respectively illuminate a right part and a left part of the nose-mouth region.

According to some embodiments, the second side of the TEG is exposed or thermally exposed to gas/gas flow on an inner surface of the main body portion. The inner surface defines a passage for gas flow within the main body portion.

According to some embodiments, the device is an oxygen/capnography/capnoxygen mask including a cup member configured to be fitted about the nose-mouth region. The cup member includes the contact portion on a rim of the cup member.

According to some embodiments, the external system is an oxygen source and/or a capnograph.

According to some embodiments, the cup member is transparent or substantially transparent. The at least one TEG includes two TEGs respectively positioned on a right segment and a left segment of the rim. The at least one light source includes two light sources respectively positioned on a right side and a left side of the cup member, such as to respectively illuminate a right part and a left part of the nose-cheek region.

According to some embodiments, the right segment and the left segment each measures between about 1 cm to about 5 cm in length, and are configured to allow providing power to each of the light sources in the range of about 1 μW to about 1 mW.

According to some embodiments, the two light sources are positioned on an inner surface of the cup member or embedded within the cup member.

According to some embodiments, the second side of the TEG is exposed or thermally exposed to air on an outer surface of the cup member or on the rim.

According to some embodiments, the light source is a light-emitting diode.

According to some embodiments, the TEG includes a pair of thermally conducting substrates having sandwiched therebetween at least one pair of n-type and p-type semiconductor legs electrically connected in series.

According to an aspect of some embodiments, there is provided a method of manufacturing a facially fitting device for delivering gas to, and/or collecting gas from, a subject, wherein the facially fitting device is configured to provide illumination through the Seebeck effect. The method includes:Providing a facially fitting device including at least one contact portion. The contact portion is configured to contact at least one skin surface at, or near, a nose-mouth region, or near a nose, when the device is at least partially fitted on the face of a subject.Incorporating at least one thermo-electric generator (TEG) into or onto the contact portion such that a first side of the at least one TEG is exposed or thermally exposed on the least one contact portion. The TEG is configured to be powered through a temperature difference between the skin surface and a second side of the TEG.Incorporating at least one light source, powered by the at least one TEG such as to enable illumination of the nose-mouth region or the nose, and/or parts of the face on sides of the nose, when in use.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include some, all, or none of the above advantages. One or more other technical advantages may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, governs. As used herein, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” mean “at least one” or “one or more” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles, uses, and implementations of the teachings herein may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and figures. Upon perusal of the description and figures present herein, one skilled in the art will be able to implement the teachings herein without undue effort or experimentation. In the figures, same reference numerals refer to same parts throughout.

In the description and claims of the application, the words “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.

For ease of description, in some of the figures a three-dimensional cartesian coordinate system (with orthogonal axes x, y, and z) is introduced. It is noted that the orientation of the coordinate system relative a depicted object may vary from one figure to another. Further, the symbol ⊙ is used in the figures to represent an axis pointing “out of the page”.

As used herein, an element, part, or member may be said to be “thermally exposed” to the surroundings thereof or to an external element, part, or member when thermally coupled thereto via an intermediary element, part, or member, which is heat conducting. For example, an inner layer of an element, sandwiched between two outer layers of the element, is thermally exposed to the surroundings of the element when at least one of outer layers is heat conducting (thereby thermally coupling the inner layer to the surroundings of the element). The surroundings may be, for example, air or liquid engulfing the element, or even a second element, adjacent to, and contacting, the element (such that the second element is adjacent to one of the two outer layers, which is heat conducting).

FIGS.1aand1brespectively present a schematic front view and rear view of a nasal cannula100, according to some embodiments. Nasal cannula100includes a main body portion102and a pair of hollow nasal prongs106: a right nasal prong106aand a left nasal prong106b. According to some embodiments, “right” and “left” with reference to elements/components of nasal cannula100are defined from the “point-of-view” of a subject wearing nasal cannula100, with nasal cannula100being configured such that (when worn) right nasal prong106aand left nasal prong106bare fitted into a right nostril and a left nostril of the subject (as shown inFIG.1c). The same applies with respect to elements/components of other embodiments of the present disclosure described inFIGS.2a-4b. Main body portion102may be elongated, having a width (defined along the y-axis) greater than a height and a depth thereof (defined along the z-axis and x-axis, respectively). Each of nasal prongs106extends upward (e.g. along or substantially along the z-axis) from main body portion102and may be substantially shaped as a tube. Main body portion102includes internal passages (channels) configured to allow for gas flow therethrough. The internal passages fluidly connect nasal prongs106to one or more gas ports on main body portion102, as elaborated on below.

As shown inFIG.1c, nasal cannula100is configured to be fitted on a face11of a subject, with right nasal prong106aand left nasal prong106brespectively fitted into a right nostril15aand a left nostril15bof a nose17of the subject.

Main body portion102includes a front surface112, a rear surface114(shown inFIG.1b) opposite to front surface112, an upper surface116adjacent to front surface112and rear surface114, and a lower surface118opposite to upper surface116and adjacent to front surface112and rear surface114. Main body portion102includes a right end122aon a right section124aof main body portion102, and a left end122bon a left section124bof main body portion102. It is noted that surfaces112,114,116, and118may be curved, e.g. when a cross-section of main body portion102is rounded.

When nasal cannula100is fitted on face11, rear surface114contacts a nose-mouth region of face11, between nose17and an upper lip31at one or more locations in the nose-mouth region. According to some embodiments, all of rear surface114contacts skin in the mouth-noise region. According to some embodiments, main body portion102may be curved such as to match facial anatomy in the mouth-nose region above upper lip31. According to some embodiments, one or more parts of rear surface114contacts the skin (i.e. rear surface114only partially contacts the skin). According to some such embodiments, main body portion102includes two contact portions on rear surface114: a right contact portion located on right section124aof main body portion102, and a left contact portion located on a left section124bof main body portion102. Main body portion102is configured such that when nasal cannula100is at least partially fitted on face11, a right skin surface of face11contacts (touches) the right contact portion and a left skin surface of face11contacts the left contact portion. (Both the right skin surface and the left skin surface are hidden from view inFIG.1cdue to nasal cannula100being fitted on face11.) The right skin surface may include a skin surface between upper lip31and nose17; the right skin surface may extend below and rightward from, or to the right of, right nostril15a. The left skin surface may include a skin surface between upper lip31and nose17; the left skin surface may extend below and leftward from, or to the left of, left nostril15b. According to some embodiments, when nasal cannula100is fitted on face11, the right contact portion and the left contact portion may press against the right skin surface and the left skin surface, respectively.

Right end122aincludes a right gas port132a. Right gas port132amay be fluidly connected to nasal prongs106(or at least to right nasal prong106a) via one or more internal passages in right section124a. Similarly, left end122bmay include a left gas port132b. Left gas port132bmay be fluidly connected to nasal prongs106(or at least to left nasal prong106b) via one or more internal passages in left section124b. Each of gas ports132aand132bmay be configured for gas delivery to/from an external system (e.g. an oxygen source, a capnograph, and so on). According to some embodiments, supplemental oxygen may be delivered via gas ports132aand132b. According to some embodiments, supplemental oxygen may be delivered (e.g. by an oxygen source) via right gas port132aand exhaled breath may be collected (e.g. by a capnograph) via left gas port132b.

According to some embodiments, main body portion102includes nasal oxygen delivery perforations138(e.g. on upper surface116), located proximately to (i.e. near) nostrils15when nasal cannula100is fitted on face11. Nasal oxygen delivery perforations138are fluidly connected to right gas port132a, which according to some such embodiments is fluidly decoupled from nasal prongs106(which are fluidly coupled to left gas port132b). Right gas port132amay be fluidly connected via a first gas tube142ato an oxygen source (not shown). Left gas port132bmay be fluidly connected via a second gas tube142bto a capnograph (not shown). In operation, oxygen supplied from the oxygen source flows through right gas port132aonto nasal oxygen delivery perforations138, exits therefrom, and is inhaled via nostrils15. Exhaled breath flows through nasal prongs106onto the capnograph via left gas port132b. A suction pump (not shown) may be used to draw the exhaled breath into the capnograph. According to some embodiments, main body portion102includes oral oxygen delivery nasal perforations (not shown) on bottom surface118.

Main body portion102includes at least two thermo-electric generators (TEGs)150: a right TEG150aand a left TEG150b. Each of TEGs150is configured to generate electrical power when a temperature difference is present between respective two sides thereof. Each of the TEGs is configured such that when nasal cannula100is fitted on a face of a subject, a first side of the TEG is in direct (when exposed on the respective contact portion) or indirect (when not exposed on the respective contact portion) thermal contact with skin in the nose-mouth region (such as to be heated thereby), and the other side of the TEG may maintain a different temperature than the first side. According to some embodiments, the second side of right TEG150aand the second side of left TEG150bare embedded within main body portion102. According to some embodiments, the second side of right TEG150aand the second side of left TEG150bmay be exposed or thermally exposed to gas (e.g. supplemental oxygen or exhaled breath) or gas flow in internal passages of main body portion102. For example, the second side of right TEG150amay be exposed on a right inner surface152aof main body portion102and the second side of left TEG150bmay be exposed on a left inner surface152bof main body portion102. Or, for example, the second side of right TEG150amay be embedded within main body portion102such as to be thermally exposed on right inner surface152a, and the second side of left TEG150bmay be embedded within main body portion102such as to be thermally exposed on left inner surface152b. According to some such embodiments, a layer between the second side of right TEG150aand right inner surface152a, and a layer between the second side of left TEG150band left inner surface152b, may include a highly thermally-conductive material or may be perforated. Inner surfaces152aand152bmay define internal passages within main body portion102, such as a passage extending to the left from right gas port132aand a passage extending to the right from left gas port132b, respectively.

According to some embodiments, the two sides of each of the TEGs may be defined by a pair of thermally conducting substrates. Without being bound to any theory, material or structure, each pair of substrates may, for example, have sandwiched therebetween at least one pair of semiconductor legs, with one of the semiconductor legs being p-type and the other semiconductor leg being n-type (and electrically connected in series to the first leg), as known in the art of TEGs. When more than one pair of semiconductor legs is present, the pairs may be electrically connected in series, such as to increase the overall electrical power generated by the TEG. The semiconductors legs may have high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity, as known in the art of TEGs.

Main body portion102further includes two light sources154: a right light source154aand a left light source154b. Right light source154ais powered by right TEG150aand defines therewith (and electrical wirings and/or connections, not shown) a first electrical circuit. Left light source154bis powered by left TEG150band defines therewith (and electrical wirings and/or connections, not shown) a second electrical circuit. According to some embodiments, light sources154aand154bdirectly contact TEGs150aand150b, respectively.

When illuminating, light sources154may function as placement markers facilitating correct (accurate) placement (fitting) of nasal cannula100on a face of a subject, as explained below.

More specifically, according to some embodiments, right section124aincludes right TEG150aand right light source154a, and left section124bincludes left TEG150band left light source154b. According to some embodiments, right TEG150aincludes a right TEG first substrate158a(i.e. a first substrate of right TEG150a), a second substrate (not shown), which may be located opposite to right TEG first substrate158a, and at least one pair of alternately doped (i.e. p-type and n-type) semiconductor legs (not shown) sandwiched between the substrates. Right TEG first substrate158ais exposed, or at least thermally exposed, on the right contact portion. According to some embodiments, the rest of right TEG150ais embedded within main body portion102(in right section124a). Similarly, according to some embodiments, left TEG150bincludes a left TEG first substrate158b(i.e. a first substrate of left TEG150b), a second substrate (not shown), which may be located opposite to left TEG first substrate158b, and at least one pair of alternately doped semiconductor legs (not shown) sandwiched between the substrates.

Left TEG first substrate158bis exposed, or at least thermally exposed, on the left contact portion. According to some embodiments, the rest of left TEG150bis embedded within main body portion102(in left section124b).

Right TEG150ais configured such that a respective voltage is generated across each of the semiconductor legs thereof, and an electrical current is induced through the first electrical circuit (thereby causing right light source154ato illuminate), when a temperature difference exists between right TEG first substrate158aand the second substrate of right TEG150a. For example, a temperature difference between right TEG first substrate158aand the second substrate of right TEG150amay be induced by bringing into contact the right contact portion and the right skin surface, thereby either (i) bringing right TEG first substrate158aand the right skin surface into direct thermal contact when right TEG first substrate158ais exposed on right section124a(i.e. right TEG first substrate158aforms part of rear surface114); or (ii) bringing right TEG first substrate158aand the right skin surface into indirect thermal contact when right TEG first substrate158ais embedded within right section124a(and is adjacent to rear surface114which is heat conducting at least along the right contact portion and the left contact portion).

Similarly, left TEG150bis configured such that a respective voltage is generated across each of the semiconductor legs thereof, and an electrical current is induced through the second electrical circuit (thereby causing left light source154bto illuminate), when a temperature difference exists between left TEG first substrate158band the second substrate of left TEG150b. For example, a temperature difference between left TEG first substrate158band the second substrate of left TEG150bmay be induced by bringing into contact the left contact portion and the left skin surface, thereby either (i) bringing left TEG first substrate158band the left skin surface into direct thermal contact when left TEG first substrate158bis exposed on left section124b; or (ii) bringing left TEG first substrate158band the left skin surface into indirect thermal contact when left TEG first substrate158bis embedded within left section124b(and is adjacent to rear surface114).

According to some embodiments, each of TEG first substrates158aand158bdefines a contact area with skin in the nose-mouth region measuring between about 1 cm2to about 10 cm2. According to some embodiments, each of TEGs150aand150bis configured to provide power to light source154aand154b, respectively, in the range of between about 1 μW to about 1 mW.

According to some embodiments, each of TEG first substrates158aand158bis made of, or includes, a highly thermally conducting material, thereby allowing for quick or even substantially immediate illumination when nasal cannula100is fitted or partially fitted on a face of a subject. According to some embodiments, each of TEG first substrates158aand158bis made of, or includes, silicon-carbide (SiC). According to some embodiments, each of the respective second substrates of TEGs150may also be made of SiC.

Right light source154amay be positioned on, or embedded in, upper surface116, such that when switched on right light source154ailluminates at least a right part of the nose-mouth region, particularly, about right nostril15a, thereby facilitating fitting right nasal prong106ainto right nostril15ain dark conditions. Similarly, left light source154bmay be positioned on, or embedded in, upper surface116, such that when switched on left light source154billuminates at least a left part of the nose-mouth region, particularly, about left nostril15b, thereby facilitating fitting left nasal prong106binto left nostril15bin dark conditions.

Each of right light source154aand left light source154bmay be configured to emit light both in the upwards direction and sideways, such as to illuminate the respective right part and left part of the nose-mouth region, and at least partially illuminate upper surface116, nasal prongs106, and optionally proximal segments of gas tubes142aand142b(shown inFIG.1c) connected to gas ports132aand132b, respectively. According to some embodiments, each of right light source154aand left light source154bmay be configured to simultaneously emit light in all directions to within about 90° of the positive z axis. According to some embodiments, each of light sources154is a Lambertian source.

According to some embodiments, each of light sources154is a light-emitting diode (LED). According to some embodiments, right light source154ais positioned near right TEG first substrate158aand left light source154bis positioned near left TEG first substrate158b.

According to some embodiments, the right contact portion and the left contact portion are adjacent, thereby effectively forming a single contact portion. According to some such embodiments, the effectively single contact portion extends over all of rear surface114.

Making reference toFIGS.2aand2b, according to some embodiments, there is provided a nasal cannula200, which is similar to nasal cannula100, but which differs therefrom in including a single light source254similar to light sources154.FIGS.2aand2bpresent a schematic front view and rear view of nasal cannula200. More specifically, nasal cannula200includes a main body portion202(similar to main body portion102) and nasal prongs106. According to some embodiments, nasal cannula200includes a single contact portion on a rear surface214of main body portion202. According to some embodiments, nasal cannula200includes a single TEG250similar to TEGs150. According to some such embodiments, light source254is configured to illuminate both nostrils when nasal cannula200is fitted or partially fitted on a face of a subject, and to illuminate at least in part nasal prongs106. According to some such embodiments, light source254may be centrally located on an upper surface216of main body portion202, being positioned below, or substantially below, the nose, at an equal, or substantially equal, distance from right nasal prong106aand left nasal prong106bwhen nasal cannula200is fitted on a face of a subject.

According to some embodiments, light source254is a LED.

Also indicated is a TEG first substrate258similar to TEG first substrates158aand158b.

Making reference toFIG.3, according to some embodiments, there is provided a nasal cannula300, which is similar to nasal cannula100, but which differs therefrom in additionally including an oral scoop element380extending downward from a lower surface318of main body portion302. Oral scoop element380includes an oral breath collection opening382fluidly coupled to one or both of nasal prongs106. When nasal cannula300is worn, oral scoop element380may cover or partially cover the mouth of the subject such that exhaled breath of the subject may be collected via oral breath collection opening382. According to some embodiments, nasal cannula300further includes oral oxygen delivery perforations (hidden from view inFIG.3) located e.g. on lower surface318or an upper part of oral scoop element380.

Also depicted are gas tubes388aand388bwhich are connected to right gas port132aand left gas port132b, respectively.

According to some embodiments, nasal cannula100may be configured to function solely or primarily as an oxygen nasal cannula. According to some such embodiments, nasal cannula100includes a single gas port, e.g. right gas port132awhere through supplemental oxygen to is conveyed to nasal prongs106. According to some such embodiments, both right gas port132aand left gas port132bare configured to convey supplemental oxygen to nasal prongs106.

According to some embodiments, nasal cannula100may be configured to function solely or primarily as a capnography nasal cannula.

According to some embodiments, not depicted in the figures, there is provided a nasal cannula similar to nasal cannula100, or nasal cannula200, or nasal cannula300, but differing therefrom in including a single nasal prong, e.g. similar to right nasal prong106a.

As used herein, according to some embodiments, the terms “right gas port” and “second gas port”, with reference to a nasal cannula such as nasal cannula100or a nasal cannula similar thereto, are used interchangeably.

According to an aspect of some embodiments, there is provided an oxygen mask.FIGS.4aand4bpresent a schematic front view and a perspective rear view of an oxygen mask400. Oxygen mask400includes a cup member402configured to fit on a face of a subject such as to cover a nose and potentially also a mouth of the subject. Cup member402may generally be rounded, and dimensioned such as to accommodate the nose. Cup member402includes an outer surface406, an inner surface408, a rim410, and an oxygen port412.

When oxygen mask400is worn, rim410contacts or a least partially contacts the face, at least on a part to the right of the nose and at least on a part to the left of the nose, e.g. on both cheeks or even on the cheek bones. Cup member402may include flexible or elastic portions being thereby adaptable to different facial anatomies. In particular, rim410may be flexible or elastic or include flexible or elastic portions. More specifically, rim410includes at least two contact portions: a right contact portion on a rim right segment (or section)416aand a left contact portion on a rim left segment (or section)416b. According to some embodiments, rim410is configured such that when oxygen mask400is worn, the right contact portion contacts the right cheek and the left contact portion contacts the left cheek.

When oxygen mask400is worn, an inner volume is defined by the space between inner surface408and the face. Oxygen port412is configured to be connected to an oxygen tube414. Supplemental oxygen may be delivered via oxygen tube414and oxygen port412into the inner volume.

Cup member402may include a pair of lobe-shaped portions418projecting outwardly from rim410. Oxygen mask400may be secured onto the face using one or more straps (not shown), which may be secured to cup member402via holes (not numbered) on lobe-shaped portions418.

According to some embodiments, oxygen mask400may also function as a capnoxygen mask, being configured also for sampling exhaled breath of a subject. In such embodiments, cup member402may further include an exhaled breath port (not shown), positioned e.g. proximately to oxygen port412.

Optionally, according to some embodiments, cup member402may include a seat-like portion420. Seat-like portion420defines a shelf422located below the nostrils when oxygen mask400is worn. Shelf422includes oxygen port412, and according to some embodiments,

oxygen mask is configured to function/also function as a capnoxygen mask, shelf422may further include the exhaled breath port.

Optionally, according to some embodiments, cup member402may include perforations438(not all of which are numbered). According to some embodiments, perforations438facilitate removing exhaled breath from the inner volume.

Rim410may include at least one flange-like portion440in the form of an edge projecting outwardly (on the yz-plane) from cup member402. (InFIGS.4aand4ba single flange-like portion is depicted, which extends around all of rim410.) Flange-like portion440may allow for greater rim410-to-skin contact, particularly on the cheeks, when oxygen mask400is worn. The greater rim410-to-skin contact may enhance the comfort of the subject, as well as potentially allow for increased electrical power generation by one or more TEGs included in rim410and exposed or thermally exposed on flange-like-portion440, as elaborated on below.

According to some embodiments, cup member402may be made of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic, thereby facilitating correct placement of oxygen mask400on a face of a subject, as elaborated on below.

Rim410includes at least two TEGs450: a right TEG450aand a left TEG450b. Each of TEGs450is configured to generate electrical power when a temperature difference is present between respective two sides thereof. Each of the TEGs is configured such that when oxygen mask400is fitted on a face of a subject, a first side of the TEG is in direct or indirect thermal contact with skin on the face of the subject, e.g. on the respective cheek, and the other side of the TEG may maintain a different temperature than the first side. According to some embodiments, the second side of right TEG450aand second side of left TEG450bare embedded within cup member402, e.g. within rim410. According to some embodiments, the second side of right TEG450aand the second side of left TEG450bmay be exposed or thermally exposed to the air. For example, the second side of right TEG450aand the second side of left TEG450bmay be exposed on, or thermally exposed via, outer surface406or flange-like portion440on rim right segment416aand rim left segment416b, respectively.

According to some embodiments, the two sides of each of the TEGs450are defined by a pair of thermally conducting substrates, essentially as described with respect to TEGs150in the description of nasal cannula100.

Cup member402further includes two light sources454: a right light source454aand a left light source454bpositioned on the right half (right side) and the left half (left side) of cup member402, respectively. Right light source454ais powered by right TEG450aand defines therewith (and electrical wirings and/or connections, not shown) a first electrical circuit. Left light source454bis powered by left TEG450band defines therewith (and electrical wirings and/or connections, not shown) a second electrical circuit.

When illuminating, light sources454may function as placement markers facilitating correct placement of oxygen mask400on a face of a subject, as explained below.

More specifically, according to some embodiments, rim right segment416aincludes right TEG450awith right light source454abeing positioned proximately (i.e. near) thereto, and rim left segment416bincludes left TEG450bwith left light source454bbeing positioned proximately thereto. According to some embodiments, right TEG450aincludes a right TEG first substrate458a(i.e. a first substrate of right TEG450a), a second substrate (not shown), which may be located opposite to right TEG first substrate458a, and at least one pair of alternately doped semiconductor legs (not shown) sandwiched between the substrates. Right TEG first substrate458ais exposed, or at least thermally exposed, on the right contact portion. According to some embodiments, the rest of right TEG450ais embedded within rim410(in rim right segment416a). Similarly, according to some embodiments, left TEG450bincludes a left TEG first substrate458b(i.e. a first substrate of left TEG450b), a second substrate (not shown), which may be located opposite to left TEG first substrate458b, and at least one pair of alternately doped semiconductor legs (not shown) sandwiched between the substrates. Left TEG first substrate458bis exposed, or at least thermally exposed, on the left contact portion. According to some embodiments, the rest of left TEG450bis embedded within rim410(in rim left segment416b).

Right TEG450ais configured such that an electrical current is induced through the first electrical circuit (thereby causing right light source454ato illuminate) when a temperature difference exists between right TEG first substrate458aand the second substrate of right TEG450a. For example, a temperature difference between right TEG first substrate458aand the second substrate of right TEG450amay be induced by bringing into contact the right contact portion and the right cheek, thereby either (i) bringing right TEG first substrate458aand the right cheek into direct thermal contact when right TEG first substrate458ais exposed on rim right segment416a; or (ii) bringing right TEG first substrate458aand the right cheek into indirect thermal contact when right TEG first substrate458ais embedded within rim right segment416a.

Left TEG450bis configured such that an electrical current is induced through the second electrical circuit (thereby causing left light source454bto illuminate) when a temperature difference exists between left TEG first substrate458band the second substrate of left TEG450b. For example, a temperature difference between left TEG first substrate458band the second substrate of left TEG450bmay be induced by bringing into contact the left contact portion and the left cheek, thereby either (i) bringing left TEG first substrate458band the left cheek into direct thermal contact when left TEG first substrate458bis exposed on rim left segment416b; or (ii) bringing left TEG first substrate458band the left cheek into indirect thermal contact when left TEG first substrate458bis embedded within rim left segment416b.

According to some embodiments, each of TEG first substrates458aand458bdefines a contact area with skin in the nose-mouth region measuring between about 1 cm2to about 10 cm2. According to some embodiments, each of TEG first substrates458aand458bmay define a thin strip along rim right segment416aand rim left segment416b, respectively, having a length of between about 1 cm to about 5 cm. According to some embodiments, each of TEGs450aand450bis configured to provide power to light sources454aand454b, respectively, in the range of about 1 μW to between about 1 mW.

According to some embodiments, each of TEG first substrates458aand458bis made of, or includes, a highly thermally conducting material (e.g. SiC), thereby allowing for quick or even substantially immediate illumination when oxygen mask400is fitted or partially fitted on a face of a subject.

According to some embodiments, wherein cup member402is transparent, when oxygen mask400is worn, light sources454illuminate or partially illuminate parts of the face covered by cup member402(and optionally uncovered parts of the face, e.g. adjacent to rim right segment416aand rim left segment416b). More specifically, right light source454amay illuminate a right part of a nose-cheek region (i.e. a part of the right cheek and a right part of the nose) and left light source454bmay illuminate a left part of the nose-cheek region (i.e. a part of the left cheek and a left part of the nose), thereby facilitating fitting oxygen mask400on the face in dark conditions. Each of right light source454aand left light source454bmay be configured to emit light both into the inner volume, defined by cup member402, and out of the inner volume, such as to illuminate parts of the face covered by cup member402, as well as parts of the face which are not covered by cup member402, when oxygen mask400is worn. According to some embodiments, light sources454aand454bare exposed on outer surface406proximately to, or on, rim right segment416aand rim left segment416b, respectively. According to some embodiments, light sources454aand454bare exposed on inner surface408proximately to, or on, rim right segment416aand rim left segment416b, respectively. According to some embodiments, light sources454aand454bare exposed on both outer surface406and inner surface408proximately to, or on, rim right segment416aand rim left segment416b, respectively. According to some embodiments, wherein cup member402is transparent, light sources454aand454bare embedded within cup member402proximately to, or within, rim right segment416aand rim left segment416b, respectively. In such embodiments, due to cup member402transparency, the embedded light sources may illuminate the surroundings thereof, e.g. the cheeks and the nose, when oxygen mask400is fitted on the face.

According to some embodiments, beyond facilitating correct placement of oxygen mask400, the illumination provided by light sources454may also ease medical intervention operations performed under oxygen mask400, such as residual liquids removal, oral/nasal treatments, device insertion, etc.

According to some embodiments, each of light sources454is a light-emitting diode (LED). According to some embodiments, right light source454ais positioned near right TEG first substrate458aand left light source454bis positioned near left TEG first substrate458b.

The skilled person will appreciate that oxygen mask400, or a mask similar thereto, can also function as a capnography mask when oxygen port412is additionally or alternatively configured for sampling exhaled breath of a subject.

The skilled person will appreciate that nasal cannulas100,200, and300, and nasal cannulas similar thereto, and oxygen mask400, and oxygen masks similar thereto, according to some embodiments thereof, may also be used for aerosol therapy/nebulizer therapy.

As used herein, according to some embodiments, the terms “facially fitting device” and “nasal cannula” are interchangeable. According to some embodiments, the terms “facially fitting device” and “oxygen mask” are interchangeable.

As used herein, according to some embodiments, the terms “light source” and “placement marker” are interchangeable.

It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the disclosure. No feature described in the context of an embodiment is to be considered an essential feature of that embodiment, unless explicitly specified as such.

Although steps of methods according to some embodiments may be described in a specific sequence, methods of the disclosure may include some or all of the described steps carried out in a different order. A method of the disclosure may include all of the steps described or only a few of the described steps. No particular step in a disclosed method is to be considered an essential step of that method, unless explicitly specified as such.

Although the disclosure is described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that numerous alternatives, modifications and variations that are apparent to those skilled in the art may exist. Accordingly, the disclosure embraces all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth herein. Other embodiments may be practiced, and an embodiment may be carried out in various ways.

The phraseology and terminology employed herein are for descriptive purpose and should not be regarded as limiting. Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the disclosure. Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of the specification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.