Abstract:
The present invention is a protective cover for a nasal cannula. The device completely encloses the two prongs of the nasal cannula when properly installed. This protective cover will keep the nasal cannula from contacting potentially unclean surfaces when the nasal cannula is not in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The field of the present invention is delivery systems for patients taking oxygen or other fluids or gases through a nasal cannula. More specifically, the field of the present invention is protective storage of the nasal cannula while not in use. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0008]    It is known that a nasal cannula is a device used to deliver supplemental oxygen to a person through the nostrils. This device consists of a plastic tube, connected to an oxygen source, and a set of two prongs which engage the nostrils of the wearer. Oxygen is delivered through holes in the prongs. The tubing is kept in place by fitting it around the patient&#39;s ears. 
         [0009]    Nasal cannulas are manufactured and transported in clean conditions so as to keep the area of the prongs clean. Standard operating procedure among medical professionals dictates that when a nasal cannula comes in contact with any unclean or unsanitary surface, it must be discarded 
         [0010]    It is also known that to keep the nasal cannula from becoming soiled when not in use, the wearer or caregiver will typically hang it on a bed post or hook. Unfortunately, the natural coiling and uncoiling properties of the plastic tube can cause it to fall even when it appears to be safely secured. 
         [0011]    A number of accessory devices for use with nasal cannulas have been proposed. By way of example, Published U.S. Patent Application 2007/0270736 to Giarrocco-Brettner shows a bulb syringe improvement. The device partially covers a nasally inserted portion of the bulb syringe. In addition, it prevents contact between the nasally inserted portion of the bulb syringe and an unclean table surface. The device does not, however, provide full coverage over a two prong nasal cannula. 
         [0012]    In addition, a number of other accessories for nasal cannulas are shown in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,811 to Settle shows a protective cover for the tubing of a nasal cannula which provides comfort for the patients ear. Published U.S. Patent Application 2005/0236001 to Williams shows a bridle system which clamps around the tubes exiting a patient&#39;s nose. However, the prior art does not show a cover for use in protecting the nasal cannula. What is needed is a device that protects a nasal cannula from becoming soiled while not use. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is a protective cover for a nasal cannula. The device completely encloses the two prongs of the nasal cannula when properly installed. This protective cover will keep the nasal cannula from contacting the floor, bed sheets, or other potentially unclean surfaces when the nasal cannula is not in use. Multiple embodiments are described. Generally, the device consists of two components which are pivotally attached together. The hinge can be of any type, for instance, a living hinge or a pinned hinge, and optionally the two halves may be biased toward each other or away from each other, for instance, by a spring. 
         [0014]    In a first embodiment, the two halves are substantially similar to each other, and both are clamshell shaped. The interior of the clamshell shaped covers contain a fixturing rib for contacting the two sides of the nasal cannula base tube. In operation, the patient need only place the cannula base tube on the fixturing rib of the bottom cover half. The patient can then close the other cover, which will secure the cannula base tube without contacting the cone shaped prongs—which are the nasally inserted portions. 
         [0015]    In a second embodiment, the first half is elongated to match the side profile shape of the nasal cannula. The patient need only insert the cone shaped prongs into the first half. The first half has a base tube opening with half moon shaped clips. The half moon shaped clips attach to the cannula base tube. Finally, a hinge attached door is closed to seal the nasal cannula. 
         [0016]    In a third embodiment, the cover is comprised of two shells which when closed form an interior cylinder. When closed around the nasal cannula, the cover may rotate 360 degrees around the axis of the cannula base tube. While rotating the cover, no part of the nasally inserted cannula can touch any part of the interior cylinder. In addition, the barrel cover contains two feed tube locators which abut against the cannula feed tube shoulder, and prevent lateral sliding of the barrel cover. 
         [0017]    All embodiments of the present invention can include leg protrusions which provide stability against rolling on horizontal surfaces. 
         [0018]    There has thus been outlined the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In as much as the foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent methods and structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0019]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a nasal cannula cover which prevents the nasal cannula from contacting potentially unclean surfaces when properly installed. 
         [0020]    Yet another object of the present invention to provide a nasal cannula cover which is lightweight, durable and inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0021]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a nasal cannula cover that is maintained in a position for easy access by the user or health professional when not installed over the prongs of the cannula. 
         [0022]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a cannula cover that is easy for the patient or health professional to install and remove from the prongs of the cannula. 
         [0023]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cannula cover with interior surfaces that will not contact un-clean surfaces while in the un-installed state. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0024]    Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated through consideration of the accompanying drawings and the detailed description following, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1   a - c  shows a clamshell cover.  FIG. 1   a  is a top perspective view of the clamshell cover with the nasal cannula in place.  FIG. 1   b  is a side view of the clamshell cover.  FIG. 1   c  is a top perspective view of the bottom shell of the clamshell cover. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2   a - c  shows a reusable slide-on cover.  FIG. 2   a  shows a top perspective view of the reusable slide-on cover with the nasal cannula in place.  FIG. 2   b  shows a top perspective view of the reusable slide-on cover.  FIG. 2   c  shows a side view of the reusable slide-on cover. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3   a - b  shows a barrel cover.  FIG. 3   a  shows a top perspective view of the barrel cover with the top shell open and the nasal cannula in place.  FIG. 3   b  shows a top perspective view of the barrel cover with the top shell mated with the bottom shell. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a top perspective view of the barrel cover with several additions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring now to the first embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 1   a - c,  a clamshell cover  1 , or a cover, is shown. A nasal cannula  42  is composed of a cannula base tube  46 , and one or more cannula feed tube  44 , and one or more cone shaped prong  43 . For reference, an axis of the distal end of the cannula  40  is defined as the central longitudinal axis of the cone shaped prong  43 . Also, the cone shaped prong  43  has a distal end  47 . The clamshell cover  1  includes a top cover component  2  and a bottom cover component  3 . The top cover component  2  has a first opening  31  in a bottom surface  32 , and the bottom cover component  3  has a second opening  33  in a top surface  34 . The top cover component  2  can contact the bottom cover component  3  at a mating  35 . 
         [0030]    The top cover component  2  is attached to the bottom cover component  3  by a hinge  7 , or connecting member, which among other alternatives, can be of the known living hinge or pinned hinge types. Referring to  FIG. 1   b,  the top cover component  2  is urged into contact with the bottom cover component  3  by a torsion spring  4 , or biasing member. When in the closed position seen in  FIG. 1   b,  a latch  6 , or holding member, holds the top cover component  2  in contact with bottom cover component  3 . As seen in  FIG. 1   c,  the bottom cover component  3  has one or more base tube supports  5 , or suspending member. The base tube support  5  contacts the cannula base tube  46  of the nasal cannula  42  when the nasal cannula  42  is inside the clamshell cover  1 . As seen, the base tube support  5  has a semi-circular prong top  8  which conforms to the shape of the cannula base tube  46 . In addition, the base tube support  5  is attached to both the top cover component  2  and the bottom cover component  3 , which provides for two contact surfaces on the cannula base tube  46 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 2   a - c,  the second embodiment of the present invention is shown. A reusable slide-on cover  11  is composed of a top cover  16  and a hinged closure  13 . Both the top cover  16  and the hinged closure  13  are made of semi-rigid plastic material. The top cover  16  has a base tube opening  12  which slides over the cannula feed tube  44 . When covering the nasal cannula  42 , a half moon shaped clip  14  contacts the cannula feed tube  44  such that light manual force is required to press the reusable slide-on cover  11  over the cannula feed tube  44 . The hinged closure  13  pivots freely on a closure hinge  15 . Once the half moon shaped clip  14  engages the cannula feed tube  44 , the patient  45  can manually rotate the hinged closure  13  to cover the base tube opening  12 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 3   a - b  and  FIG. 4 , the third embodiment of the present invention is shown. As seen in  FIG. 3   a,  a barrel cover  21  is comprised of a top half  25  and a bottom half  26 . When the top half  25  and the bottom half  26  are mated together, the interior space forms an inner cylinder  23 , or interior space, which provides clearance between the inner cylinder  23  and the cone shaped prong  43 . The barrel cover  21  can rotate 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the cannula base tube  46 , and the clearance between the cone shaped prong  43  and the inner cylinder  23  will remain. The barrel cover  21  also has a feed tube locator  22  on two sides of the bottom half  26 . The feed tube locator  22  contacts the cannula base tube  46  on the nasal cannula  42 . The feed tube locator  22  prevents lateral sliding in either direction along the longitudinal axis of the cannula base tube  46 . A tether attachment  29  releasably attaches tether members, which are elongated flaccid components that hang the barrel cover at various locations. The tether members can include various quick attachment devices including hooks, snaps, hook &amp; loop, or buttons. Referring now to  FIG. 3   b,  the barrel cover  21  has one or more leg protrusion  24 , or stabilizing member, which provide for setting barrel cover  21  on horizontal surfaces without freely rolling. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the third embodiment of the present invention is shown with additional features. The barrel cover  21  can also have a base tube locator  27 , or guidance member, on two sides of the bottom half  26 . In addition, base tube locator  27  can be added to the top half  25 . The base tube locator  27  has a V-shape which contacts the cannula base tube  46  on the nasal cannula  42 . The base tube locator  27  allows misalignment of the nasal cannula  42  to be corrected as the top half  25  approaches the bottom half  26 . In addition,  FIG. 4  shows a press to open latch  28 , or actuating member. The press to open latch  28  is actuated by compressing the top half  25  with light finger force. 
         [0034]    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.