INHALATION MASK ASSEMBLY

An inhalation mask assembly includes a cup shaped first body and a cup shaped second body. The first body is receivable against a facial area for enclosing a respiratory organ, and includes first inhalation members, and an exhalation valve assembly at a frontal midpoint of the first body between the first inhalation members. The second body includes exhalation members and second inhalation members. The first body is nested in the second body, and the first inhalation members of the first body are coupled gaseously to the respective second inhalation members. The first inhalation members are for administering respirable gas into the first body from the respective second inhalation members, the exhalation valve assembly is for exhausting exhaust gas from the first body into a scavenger chamber formed between the first body and the second body, and the exhalation members are for exhausting the exhaust gas from the scavenger chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to inhalation masks for use in the administration of medical and dental gases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inhalation or respiratory systems for administering respirable gas to an individual are well known. Of particular significance are apparatus employed in the medical and dental arts for dispensing medical and dental gases, such as anesthetic and analgesic gases and oxygen and nitrous oxide, to a patient.

Typically, inhalation systems include a source of a selected pressurized gas and a means to deliver the gas to the external respiratory organs of the patient. A breathing device, such as a mask, is fitted to the face of the patient to embrace the nose and/or the mouth. The source, which may be either portable or fixed, usually includes a flow regulator. A delivery conduit, generally in the form of a flexible hose, communicates between the pressurized gas source and the breathing device. Optionally, the system may include scavenging mechanism including a return conduit extending from the breathing device to a source of vacuum.

The prior art has devised an array of personal breathing devices in numerous structural configurations. These personal breathing devices, commonly referred to as inhalation masks or facemasks, serve a variety of functions. Known, for example, are masks that extend over the mouth and the nose of the patient while others receive only the nose. Commonly, masks include a fitting for attachment of a gas delivery conduit. In some instances, an exhalation valve is incorporated into the mask to prevent the entrance of ambient air.

In recognition of the concern over collection and disposal of expired gas, skilled artisans have developed a variety of solutions useful with inhalation masks, such as scavenger valve attachments, scavenger hoods useful with inhalation masks, and scavenger circuits. Although these prior art examples initially appeared adequate, inherent structural complexities inherent in the prior art scavenging solutions have proven less than satisfactory, thereby necessitating continued improvement in the art. Accordingly, there is a continuing need in the art for an inhalation an inhalation mask assembly that is useful for administering a respirable gas to a respiratory organ of an individual and for scavenging exhaust gas from the respiratory organ which is inexpensive, simple in structure, easy to use, and easy to assemble and disassemble without the need for specialized skill.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, an inhalation mask assembly for administering a respirable gas to an individual, which individual includes a facial area containing a respiratory organ for receiving respirable gas and for expelling exhaust gas, includes a cup shaped first body, and a cup shaped second body. The first body is receivable against the facial area for enclosing the respiratory organ, is integrally formed, and includes first inhalation members, and an exhalation valve assembly, the first inhalation members extend from either side of the first body, and the exhalation valve assembly is at a frontal midpoint of the first body between the first inhalation members. The second body is integrally formed and includes second inhalation members, and exhalation members, the second inhalation members and the exhalation members extend from either side of the second cup shaped body. The first body is nested in the second body, and the first inhalation members of the first body are coupled gaseously to the respective second inhalation members. The first inhalation members are for administering respirable gas into the first body from the respective second inhalation members, the exhalation valve assembly is for exhausting exhaust gas from the first body into a scavenger chamber formed between the first body and the second body, and the exhalation members are for exhausting the exhaust gas from the scavenger chamber. The inhalation mask assembly further includes a capnography monitor sample line for monitoring end-tidal CO2of the exhaust gas exhausted into the first body from the respiratory organ. The sample line extends through the second body, the scavenger chamber, and the first body from an outlet outside of the second body to an inlet inside the first body. The second body is transparent for enabling visualization of moisture from the exhaust gas in the scavenger chamber. The first body is nested removably in the second body.

According to the principle of the invention, an inhalation mask assembly for administering a respirable gas to an individual, which individual includes a facial area containing a respiratory organ for receiving respirable gas and for expelling exhaust gas, includes a cup shaped first body, and a cup shaped second body. The first body is receivable against the facial area for enclosing the respiratory organ, is integrally formed, and includes first inhalation members, and an exhalation valve assembly, the first inhalation members extend from either side of the first body, and the exhalation valve assembly is at a frontal midpoint of the first body between the first inhalation members. The second body is integrally formed and includes second inhalation members, and exhalation members, the second inhalation members and the exhalation members extend from either side of the second cup shaped body. The second body is carried removably by the first body, and the first inhalation members of the first body are inserted removably into the respective second inhalation members. The first inhalation members are for administering respirable gas into the first body from the respective second inhalation members, the exhalation valve assembly is for exhausting exhaust gas from the first body into a scavenger chamber formed between the first body and the second body, and the exhalation members is for exhausting the exhaust gas from the scavenger chamber. The inhalation mask assembly further includes a capnography monitor sample line for monitoring end-tidal CO2of the exhaust gas exhausted into the first body from the respiratory organ. The sample line extends through the second body, the scavenger chamber, and the first body from an outlet outside of the second body to an inlet inside the first body. The second body is transparent for enabling visualization of moisture from the exhaust gas in the scavenger chamber.

According to the principle of the invention, an inhalation mask assembly for administering a respirable gas to an individual, which individual includes a facial area containing a respiratory organ for receiving respirable gas and for expelling exhaust gas, includes a cup shaped first body, and a cup shaped second body. The first body is receivable against the facial area for enclosing the respiratory organ, and includes first inhalation members, and an exhalation valve assembly. The first inhalation members extend from either side of the first body, and the exhalation valve assembly is at a frontal midpoint of the first body between the first inhalation members. The second body includes second inhalation members, and exhalation members, the second inhalation members and the exhalation members extend from either side of the second cup shaped body. The first body is nested in the second body, and the first inhalation members of the first body are coupled gaseously to the respective second inhalation members. The first inhalation members are for administering respirable gas into the first body from the respective second inhalation members, the exhalation valve assembly is for exhausting exhaust gas from the first body into a scavenger chamber formed between the first body and the second body, and the exhalation members are for exhausting the exhaust gas from the scavenger chamber. The mask assembly further includes a capnography monitor sample line for monitoring end-tidal CO2of the exhaust gas exhausted into the first body from the respiratory organ. The sample line extends through the second body, the scavenger chamber, and the first body from an outlet outside of the second body to an inlet inside the first body. The second body is transparent for enabling visualization of moisture from the exhaust gas in the scavenger chamber. The first body is nested removably in the second body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides, among other things, a new and improved inhalation mask assembly for administering or otherwise conducting a respirable gas to an individual, which individual includes a facial area having a respiratory organ for conducting respirable gas into the individual's respiratory tract and for expelling exhaust gas from the individual's respiratory tract, the exhaust gas having a moisture content or level and a carbon dioxide (CO2) content or level when expelled from the respiratory organ in accordance with normal exhaust gas expelled from human beings.

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed toFIGS. 1 and 2in which there is seen an inhalation mask assembly50.

Inhalation mask assembly50includes a mask51and a scavenger52carried by or otherwise engaged to mask51. In mask assembly50, scavenger52not only is for receiving and conducting respirable gas to mask52, but also is for receiving and exhausting exhaust gas from mask52.

Referring toFIGS. 3-7in relevant part, mask51includes a body60. Body60is cup shaped, is receivable against the facial area for enclosing the respiratory organ, and is integrally formed, being a single, unitary body. Body60includes opposite sides61and62, a frontal midpoint63, inhalation members65and66, and an exhalation valve assembly68. Inhalation member65for the intake of respirable gas into mask51from side61extends from side61of body60, and inhalation member66for the intake of respirable gas into mask51from side62extends from side62of body60. Exhalation valve assembly60for the expiration of exhaust gas from mask51is at frontal midpoint63of body60between inhalation members65and66. Body60terminates with a rearwardly directed peripheral edge69encircling an opening into mask51for receiving the respiratory organ of the individual. Edge69is a terminal portion of body60and is in-turned to form a semi-cylindrical bead. Body60is sized to receive the external respiratory organs of an individual, specifically the nose. Edge69is contoured to be received against the facial area surrounding the nose. Body60is molded of a flexible elastic material such as the thermoplastic elastomer found under the trademark KRATON®. Edge69is readily deformable, which enables it to be pliantly received against the facial area in sealing engagement therewith.

Each one of inhalation members65and66is a cylindrical sidewall70having a bore71extending therethrough defined by cylindrical sidewall70from outlet74to inlet75. Inhalation members65and66each project angularly rearward from either side of body60from outlet74to inlet75. Each cylindrical sidewall70has an annular gasket78between outlet74and inlet75. Each gasket78is continuous, circumscribes the corresponding cylindrical sidewall70, and projects radially outwardly from the corresponding continuous sidewall70. Respirable gas is applied through bore71of each one of inhalation members65and66from inlet75to outlet74.

InFIGS. 3 and 4, exhalation valve assembly68is a conventional and well-known flapper valve assembly, consisting of outlet port80formed with a valve disc81, a relatively thin resiliently deformable member that is also be fabricated of a thermoplastic material. Valve disc81is drawn into sealing engagement with a valve seat of outlet port80disabling gas from passing into mask51through outlet port80, when the individual inhales in mask51. Valve disc81deflects away from the valve seat of outlet port80enabling exhaust gas to evacuate mask51through outlet port80, when the individual exhales in mask51. Valve disc81and outlet port80function as an outlet check valve for unidirectional flow of expired gas from mask51. Again, exhalation valve assembly68is known and well-known, further details of will readily occur to the skilled artisan and are not discussed in further detail.

Referring in relevant part toFIGS. 3-9, scavenger52includes a body60. Body90is cup shaped, and is integrally formed, being a single, unitary body. Body90includes opposite sides91and92, a frontal midpoint93, inhalation members95and96, and exhalation members97and98. Inhalation member95for the intake or respirable gas from side91extends from side91of body90, inhalation member96for the intake of respirable gas from side92extends from side92of body90, exhalation member97for the outtake of exhaust gas from side91extends from side91of body90, and exhalation member98for the outtake of exhaust gas from side92extends from side92of body90. Body69terminates with a rearwardly directed peripheral edge100encircling an opening into scavenger52for receiving mask51front midpoint63first. Edge100is a terminal portion of body90. Body90is sized to receive mask51. Body90is molded of a flexible elastic material, which is transparent, such as the thermoplastic elastomer found under the trademark KRATON®.

Each one of inhalation members95and96is a cylindrical sidewall110having a bore111extending therethrough defined by cylindrical sidewall110from outlet114to inlet115. Respirable gas is applied through bore111of each one of inhalation members95and96in a direction from inlet115to outlet114. Inhalation members95and96each project angularly rearward from body60from either side of body90from outlet114to inlet115. Each one of exhalation members97and98is a cylindrical sidewall120having a bore121extending therethrough defined by cylindrical sidewall120from inlet124to outlet125. Exhalation members97and98each project angularly rearward from body60from either side of body90from inlet124to outlet125. Exhaust gas is applied through bore121of each one of exhalation members97and98from inlet124to outlet125.

Scavenger52is carried by mask51inFIGS. 1, 2, and 10-19. InFIGS. 1, 2, and 10-19, the lead lines of some reference numerals incorporate dashed lines, which indicates that the lead line is pointing through transparent body90to a structural feature.

Looking briefly toFIG. 20, in the installation of scavenger52to mask51, inlet75of inhalation member65is inserted removably into bore71through outlet114of inhalation member95. An annular rib160extends inwardly from the inner diameter of cylindrical sidewall110into an annular seat161of the outer diameter of cylindrical sidewall70between gasket78and the outer side of body60of mask51. This arrangement secures inhalation member65of mask51releasably to inhalation member95of scavenger52, and gasket78applied between bore71and cylindrical sidewall provides a seal therebetween. Inlet75of inhalation member66is identically installed into bore71through outlet114of inhalation member96. To separate scavenger52from mask51, the two parts need only be pulled apart, such as by hand, to withdraw inhalation members65and66from the respective inhalation members95and96and to withdrawn separate scavenger52from mask51.

In mask assembly50, respirable gas is introduced into bores111of inhalation members95and96of body90of scavenger52through inlets115. The respirable gas, in turn, passes into bores71of inhalation members65and66of mask51through the respective inlets75from inhalation members95and96of scavenger52and into body60from either side thereof through outlets74. As the individual breaths through his respiratory organ, his nose, the respirable gas is conducted into the individual's respiratory tract via his nose, and exhaust gas is expelled into body60of mask51from the individual's respiratory tract via his nose. Of course, the exhaust gas inherently has a moisture content or level and a carbon dioxide (CO2) content or level when expelled from the respiratory organ in accordance with normal exhaust gas expelled from human beings. Exhalation valve assembly68exhausts the exhaust gas from body60into scavenger chamber150formed between body60of mask51and body90of scavenger52. The exhaust gas exhausted into scavenger chamber150from body60of mask51is, in turn, exhausted from scavenger chamber150through bores121of exhalation members97and98from inlets124and outwardly through outlets125.

Inlets115of inhalation members95and96of body90of scavenger52can be coupled to a respirable gas source for applying the respirable gas to body60of mask51. Outlets125of exhalation members97and98of body90of scavenger52can, in turn, be coupled to vacuum scavenger apparatus for withdrawing exhaust gas from scavenger chamber150through exhalation members97and98. The assembly of inhalation members65and66to the respective inhalation members95and96conduct the respirable gas into mask51for inhalation by the individual. Upon exhalation by the individual, exhalation valve assembly68will conduct exhaled gas from51and into scavenger chamber150. Once in scavenger chamber150, the vacuum scavenger source will pull the exhaled gas outwardly from scavenger chamber150through exhalation members97and98. InFIG. 18, scavenger chamber150is seen through bore121of exhalation member97. InFIG. 19, scavenger chamber150is seen through bore121of exhalation member98.

Capnography is the monitoring of the concentration or partial pressure of CO2in exhaust gas. Its main development has been as a monitoring tool for use during anesthesia and intensive care. It is usually presented as a graph of expiratory CO2(measured in millimeters of mercury, “mmHg”) plotted against time, or, less commonly, but more usefully, expired volume. Side tube with Lure Lock port allows connection to a capnography monitor's sample line for monitoring patient end-tidal CO2. In mask assembly50, outlet133located on the outside of body90of scavenger52can be coupled to a capnography monitor for drawing end-tidal CO2of exhaust gas exhausted into body60of mask51from the respiratory organ of the individual through sampling line from inlet132in body60of mask51to outlet133and from outlet133to the capnography monitor for monitoring the individual's end-tidal CO2.

As explained above, body90of scavenger52is transparent, which enables an observer to look into scavenger chamber150. During use of mask assembly50, the moisture content contained in the exhaust gas exhaled into scavenger chamber150by the user will condense upon the inner surface of body90of scavenger52, which enables a doctor, dentist, or observer to look through body90of scavenger52into scavenger chamber150and observe whether the user of mask assembly50is breathing properly by virtue of noticing whether condensation is forming on inner surface of body90of scavenger52.

As described above, mask51carries scavenger52, and scavenger52is coupled removably to mask51. Mask51can be disposable, so as to be designed to be discarded after a single use. Scavenger52can also be disposable, so as to be designed to be discarded after a single use. If desired, scavenger52can be reused after suitable cleaning between uses such as by autoclaving.

The invention has been described above with reference to illustrative embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: