Abstract:
A breathing mask which is convenient for enteral nutrition using a nasogastric feeding tube when the mask is in use may be provided. The breathing mask may include at least one nasogastric tube port. The port may allow a nasogastric tube to pass through the mask without substantially affecting the seal or pressure of the mask while accommodating enteral feeding. In addition, the breathing mask may incarnate the human-centered design to reduce discomfort in patients and is favorable for therapy and rehabilitation.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Critically ill patients suffering from a wide range of respiratory disturbances and cardiovascular failure often require noninvasive ventilatory support using a breathing mask (covering mouth and nose) such as a Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure mask to regulate normal respiratory patterns. With this noninvasive mask, the patient is able to speak, swallow and cough, and can avoid many complications due to endotracheal intubation. There are many forms of full face breathing masks currently available however these suffer from disadvantages such as lack of access for any form of nutrition support, discomfort in use and poor sealing when used in conjunction with a nasogastric tube. While wearing the breathing mask, patients are not able to have liquids or food, as access to the patient&#39;s mouth or nose is restricted due to the undesirability of or an inability to remove the mask. This can lead to nutritional deprivation. When patients are treated with a breathing mask, nutrition is often considered a secondary concern. It is estimated that 60% of critically ill, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with acute respiratory failure suffer from malnutrition. It has further been shown that proper nutrition can help to restore respiratory breathing strength. The current practice to address this issue is to insert a nasogastric tube and then restore the breathing mask. The nasogastric tube is retained between the mask and the patient&#39;s cheek subsequently creating a poor seal and air leakage. This results in removal of the nasogastric tube and cessation of nutrition support. Consequently, it is desirable to avoid sacrificing adequate nutrition for proper respiratory treatment. A breathing mask that accommodates the use of a nasogastric tube for enteral feeding while maintaining an airtight seal around the patient&#39;s face, may therefore be desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a breathing mask may be provided. The breathing mask may include a frame capable of creating an airtight seal over a user&#39;s mouth and nose. The breathing mask may further include a breathing port capable of receiving a breathing tube. The breathing mask may also include a feeding tube port capable of receiving a feeding tube. 
         [0003]    According to another exemplary embodiment, a breathing mask may include a frame configured to create an airtight seal over a user&#39;s mouth and nose, at least one breathing tube port disposed in the frame, and a feeding tube port disposed in the frame centrally above the breathing tube port. The breathing mask may further include a gripping element disposed on the frame centrally above the feeding tube port and capable of securing a feeding tube passing through the feeding tube port. The breathing mask may also include a feeding tube port sealing cap capable of sealing the feeding tube port. 
         [0004]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a breathing mask may be provided. The breathing mask may include a frame having a breathing tube port and a nasogastric feeding tube port integrally installed therein. The breathing tube port and nasogastric feeding tube port may be vertically aligned along a central axis of the breathing mask. The feeding tube port may further include a locking element for securing a feeding tube passing through the feeding tube port, a sealing element for maintaining an airtight seal between the feeding tube port and the feeding tube, and a sealing cap capable of sealing the feeding tube port when not in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]    Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0006]    Exemplary  FIG. 1  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0007]    Exemplary  FIG. 2  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0008]    Exemplary  FIG. 3  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0009]    Exemplary  FIG. 4  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0010]    Exemplary  FIG. 5  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0011]    Exemplary  FIG. 6  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0012]    Exemplary  FIG. 7  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0013]    Exemplary  FIG. 8  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0014]    Exemplary  FIG. 9  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0015]    Exemplary  FIG. 10  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0016]    Exemplary  FIG. 11  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; 
           [0017]    Exemplary  FIG. 12  shows a breathing mask with an enteral nutrition port; and 
           [0018]    Exemplary  FIG. 13  shows a enteral nutrition port locking mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not he described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
         [0020]    As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
         [0021]    According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1-13  generally, a breathing mask enteral nutrition nasogastric tube port (BENT-PORT) may be provided. A breathing mask  100  may include a breathing port  112  for accommodating an air tube providing the flow of a desired gas, such as oxygen, into the mask, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Breathing mask  100  may further include a feeding tube port  110 . The port  110  may allow a nasogastric tube  130  to pass through the mask  100  without substantially affecting the seal or pressure of the mask, while accommodating enteral feeding. In an exemplary embodiment, a respiratory or breathing oral/nasal mask assembly  100  may include a frame  102 , which may be capable of covering a user&#39;s nose or a user&#39;s nose and mouth, and headgear  104 , which may secure the frame to the user&#39;s head. In addition to a breathing port  112  and feeding tube port  110 , mask  100  may further include at least one auxiliary or supplemental port  106 . Auxiliary or supplemental port  106  may allow for introducing, sampling, monitoring, or extracting gases or other substances from within a breathing mask. Breathing mask assembly  100  may be an oronasal mask, full face mask, or nasal mask. Headgear  104  may include at least one strap. Headgear  104  may further include a frame, which may be secured to mask  100  by at least one headgear securing grip  108 . In addition to a breathing port, the mask assembly may further include a cushion, which may create a seal between the mask and the user. The cushion may additionally provide comfort to the user. A mask assembly may further include inserts with nasal cushions and forehead pads. A nose bridge of mask  100  may optionally he soft in order to prevent skin breakdown. The frame  102  may be made of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, silicone, plastic, rubber, or polymers, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The frame  102  may be substantially rigid. The frame  102  may optionally be transparent. 
         [0022]    Breathing mask  100  may further include a tube port  110 . Port  110  may accommodate a feeding tube, such as a nasogastric (NG) tube, a nasoduodenal (ND) tube, a nasojejunal (NJ) tube, or other feeding tubes as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Port  110  may allow for enteral feeding and breathing of patients simultaneously. Port  110  may be applicable for breathing masks used by humans and animals. Port  110  may be multi-functional. For example, port  110  may be used for nutritional use, to provide water, to provide other liquids, or to provide medications, including crushed medications, to humans or animals that require a breathing mask. In at least one exemplary embodiment, port  110  may allow for the use of a nasogastric tube  130  without disrupting the seal of a breathing mask. The mask  100  and port  110  may be composed of the same material or may be different materials. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the mask  100  and port  110  may optionally be transparent or opaque. According to some exemplary embodiments, port  110  may be disposed centrally on mask  100  above a breathing tube port  112  in order for a feeding tube to be comfortably inserted into either nostril of a user. 
         [0023]    In an exemplary embodiment, the breathing mask  100  may be a Bi-Level Positive Air Pressure (BiPAP) Mask and may be capable of accommodating a Nasogastric (NG) Tube  130  through the port  110 . The breathing mask  100  with the port may maintain the functionality of BiPAP by achieving internal pressure within approximately 5% of a standard BiPAP mask. The port  110  may also he compatible with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) masks, and other similar masks as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the NG tube  130  may be secured to the mask  100  to limit movement of the tube when the length of tube  130  outside the mask is manipulated. Further to limiting undesired movement of the NG tube  130 , the port  110  may be positioned in the mask  100  to comfortably position an NG tube  130  for a patient, when inserted. 
         [0024]    In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1-12 , the port  110  may be located above a breathing tube port or air tubing port  112 , along a vertical axis of a breathing mask  100 . In alternative exemplary embodiments, the port  110  may be located in any desired location on breathing mask  100 . In some exemplary embodiments, multiple ports  110  may be provided to allow insertion of an NG tube  130  in a variety of orientations or to allow for insertion of multiple NG tubes, or other desired tubes as may be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The at least one port  110  may be provided aerially or on top of the mask to maintain the airtight seal between the breathing mask  100  and a user&#39;s head. 
         [0025]    In at least some exemplary embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1-13 , the breathing mask  100  may further include a tube gripping element  114 . Gripping element  114  may removably secure a tube  130  to the mask in a desired orientation and may limit undesired motion of the tube during use. In some embodiments, gripping element  114  may be positioned above the port  110  along a vertical axis. In other exemplary embodiments, gripping element  114  may be located in any desired location on breathing mask  100 . In yet further exemplary embodiments, multiple gripping elements  114  may be included on breathing mask  100  to allow for multiple desired orientations of an NG tube. 
         [0026]    Port  110  may optionally incorporate a variety of sealing elements for engaging a tube  130 . Sealing elements may include a port locking element  115  and corresponding tube locking element  116  disposed along the length of tube  130 . For example, port  110  may include a one-way valve, a Luer-lock, a cross-slit valve, a seam port, a plug, or other similar port types as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In some exemplary embodiments, optional port locking element  115  and corresponding tube locking element  116  may form a screw-type connection or other male-female connection as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In yet further embodiments, multiple sealing elements may be incorporated. For example, port  110  may include a port locking element  115  for engaging a corresponding tube locking element  116  on tube  130  in addition to a cross-slit valve  132  for added sealing around tube  130  when disposed through port  110 . 
         [0027]    Locking elements  115 ,  116  may lock the position and orientation of tube  130  in relation to port  110  in addition to providing a seal between port  110  and tube  130 . Cross-slit valve  132  or alternative sealing elements may provide additional air sealing at port  110 . Creating a substantially air tight seal at port  110  may maintain the integrity of the full face breathing mask. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, a sealing cap  118  may be provided for sealing the port when a tube is not inserted. This may maintain the seal and pressure achieved by the mask. Sealing cap  118  may be capable of engaging the desired port type, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Sealing cap  118  may optionally be tethered to the mask to prevent misplacement. In yet further embodiments, sealing cap  118  may be a plug or solid tube locking element  116 , as discussed below, capable of preventing airflow as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0029]    The locking elements of an exemplary embodiment may be shown in  FIG. 13 . A port locking element  115  may have at least one female connection portion or track  140  and may be disposed on the inner surface of port  110 . A tube locking element  116 , may be a sleeve capable of passing over tube  130  having at least one corresponding male connection portion  142  for engaging track  140 . Tube locking element  116  may be positioned at a desired location along the length of a tube  130 . Tube locking element  116  may fit tightly around tube  130 , maintaining an airtight seal. In an exemplary embodiment, tube locking element  116  may include at least one slit or seam to facilitate adjustment along the length of tube  130 . The at least one slit or seam may extend partially the length of tube locking element  116  and when flexed may adjust the fit around tube  130  to facilitate sliding the tube  130  through tube locking element  116 . When engaged with port locking element  115 , tube locking element  116  may prevent tube  130  from being dislodged or moving in an undesired manner. 
         [0030]    The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0031]    Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.