Abstract:
A cannula support device holds an oxygen cannula in place on a user&#39;s face and includes a pair of collars utilized on each side of a user&#39;s face, thereby providing a fit to existing cannula tubing. Each set of collars is interconnected with thread that is laced back and forth forming a harness structure. The device supports existing oxygen tubing in place while alleviating excessive pressure which is normally associated with oxygen cannula.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Apr. 7, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to oxygen delivery nasal cannula, and in particular, to support device for retaining a nasal cannula in place upon a wearer&#39;s face. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an all too familiar scene in a hospital or extended care facility where a patient that requires oxygen or other similar gases is seen constantly fidgeting with the oxygen tube worn across their face or nasal cannula inserted in their nose. More often than not, the cause of their discomfort originates from the cannula tubing that is routed behind their ears. This tubing is relatively hard in nature and generates pressure on the ear and cheek area, especially after prolonged periods of use. 
     Various attempts have been made to overcome these problems and alleviate these discomforts. Some care providers take foam padding and tape it to the ear pieces to help alleviate this discomfort. Various other types of oxygen tube support devices have also been provided. Examples of such attempts can be seen by reference in several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,824, issued to Payton et al., describes an oxygen tube support patch having an adhesive face patch for support of the oxygen tube. U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,200, issued to Clark, discloses an oxygen tube support strap including a head strap having loops to hold the oxygen tubes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,916, issued to Byrd, discloses an oxygen tube support apparatus and associated method including a strap worn across the top of the head of a patient having two (2) opposite ends with adhesive sides for retaining the branches of the cannula between the adhesive ends. Other attempts include complex nasal oxygen delivery tubes, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,104, issued to Marcy and U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,353, issued to Wright. 
     While these devices may achieve their particularly stated objectives, they each suffer from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization. Particularly, the foam padding is known to turn and rollover thus causing additional discomfort and distraction to the patient. Strap devices worn over the head tend to shift when worn, especially when the patient is sleeping, which can dislodge the nostril prongs and add to discomfort and lack of oxygen being supplied to the patient. Complicated oxygen tubes can add additional time to set up and can be even more uncomfortable and obtrusive to the patient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a means by which patients utilizing a nasal cannula can be afforded comfort around their ear and cheek area without the disadvantages as mentioned above. It is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a cannula support device which provides patients on oxygen for a long term increased comfort in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a pair of split collars, where each of the split collars includes a hollow cylindrical body having a longitudinal slit to bifurcate the cylindrical body and a plurality of apertures disposes longitudinally across the cylindrical body adjacent to the slit. At least one (1) thread member is interwoven within the plurality of apertures and between the pair of split collars for joining the split collars together. The slit allows for attachment to an oxygen delivery tube of the nasal cannula inserted therein, such that the split collar encompasses the oxygen delivery tube. The pair of split collars is mounted between an upper portion and a lower portion of the oxygen delivery tube when placed around an ear of the wearer. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a cannula support device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cannula support device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an opposing perspective view of the cannula support device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the cannula support device  10  depicted in an opened state, according to the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  cannula support device 
               11  cheek region 
               12  nasal oxygen cannula 
               13  ear anchoring loop 
               20  split collar 
               21  slit 
               22  aperture 
               30  thread 
               31  knot 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the disclosure is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a cannula support device (herein described as a “device”)  10 , which holds nasal oxygen cannula  12  in place on user&#39;s face. The device  10  allows the nasal oxygen cannula  12  to remain in place while alleviating excessive pressure upon the cheeks and ears of the user which is normally associated with the placement of the nasal oxygen cannula  12 . It is particularly useful when used as a pair of devices  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the device  10  is disclosed. The device  10  includes a pair of split collars  20  and a length of thread  30  which provides a securing feature to retain the nasal oxygen cannula  12  in an ear anchoring loop  13  which positions the nasal oxygen cannula  12  behind the user&#39;s ears and under the user&#39;s chin. The device  10  is preferably utilized in pairs with one (1) device  10  on each side of the user&#39;s face. Each device  10  is positioned upon each cheek region  11  of the user&#39;s face and attached to an upper and lower portion of the nasal oxygen cannula  12 . The device  10  preferably includes a range of sizes to accommodate various sized nasal oxygen cannula  12  and various sized users. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the device  10  and  FIG. 3 , an opposing perspective view of the device  10  are disclosed.  FIGS. 2 and 3  depict a single device  10 ; it is understood that a pair of devices  10  should be utilized during application purposes. Each split collar  20  provides for the attachment to the nasal oxygen cannula  12  and a tension to the opposing split collar  20 , thereby relieving pressure behind the user&#39;s ears and a region below the user&#39;s eyes. The split collars  20  include a cylindrical shape which preferably measures approximately one (1) inch in length and further include a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the tubing utilized on the nasal oxygen cannula  12 . Each split collar  20  includes a slit  21  and a plurality of apertures  22 . The split collars  20  are preferably fabricated from a semi-rigid transparent material such as, but not limited to: plastic, silicone, or the like so as to provide strength and discreetness when in use. The split collars  20  should also include excellent memory characteristic so as to retain its original cylindrical shape after being deformed. 
     Each slit  21  allows for attachment to the inserted nasal oxygen cannula  12 . The slit  21  extends longitudinally across the split collars  20  and enables the split collars  20  to encompass and wrap around an intermediate location of the tubular portion of the nasal oxygen cannula  12 . The slit  21  also retains the length and form of the ear anchoring loops  13  by allowing the user to position the split collars  20  in a location for optimal comfort and protection as desired. 
     The apertures  22  are oriented in a row along opposing perimeter longitudinal edges of each split collar  20  to connection the pair of split collars  20  by a length of thread  30 . The apertures  22  accept the thread  30  to provide a specific gap between each split collar  20  which preferably measures one-and-a-half (1½) inches in length, yet other dimensions may be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the device  10  depicted with the split collars  20  in an open state, is disclosed.  FIG. 4  depicts each split collar  20  slightly deformed to illustrate the lacing and securing of the thread  30 ; however it is understood that the material utilized for construction of the split collars  20  would enable flexibility. The thread  30  is fabricated from a transparent monofilament line to provide discreetness and strength. The thread  30  is preferably arranged in pairs of strands so as to provide additional strength while being exposed to the rigors of daily wear. The thread  30  is interwoven between each aperture  22  and secured at each end by a knot  31 , crimp, other integral attachment including plastic or sonic welding. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; with an existing nasal oxygen cannula  12  upon the user attach each split collar  20  onto the upper and lower the nasal oxygen cannula  12  tubing to a desired location; and, providing the user on oxygen with increased comfort in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     The method of restringing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: threading the thread  30  through each aperture  22  and creating a knot  31  at each end portion. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.