Abstract:
An oxygen switching apparatus and method switches a flow of oxygen under pressure as between a first oxygen carrying tube and a second oxygen carrying tube. In this manner, the flow of oxygen under pressure is restricted to one nostril at a time, and the switching can prevent one nostril from becoming unduly chafed or harmed by a continuous flow of oxygen thereto. The switch can be located within the housing containing the source of pressurized oxygen, or can be external thereto.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/451,688, filed on Mar. 4, 2003. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to oxygen delivery systems and, more particularly, to a switching apparatus and method for an oxygen delivery system that permits the switching of oxygen delivery between two nostrils.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It is often necessary to supply oxygen or a gas mixture to an individual requiring supplemental assistance with breathing. For persons who have such a need and who are ambulatory, a personal oxygen system is often utilized. Such a system permits a person to carry oxygen with him or her, meeting the person&#39;s oxygen needs while affording freedom of movement.  
           [0004]    Typically, oxygen is administered from a system via a nasal cannula, comprising flexible supply tubing terminating in a cannula having a pair of nipple ends that are inserted in the nostrils of the recipient.  
           [0005]    The HELIOS® personal oxygen system is an example of a personal oxygen system. It has an oxygen-containing housing that is small and lightweight, and provides a flow of oxygen for about 8-10 hours before refilling is necessary. In the HELIOS system, there are two tubes that exit, the housing, and that end in the recipient&#39;s nostrils. One tube carries oxygen to the user on demand in response to a pressure change sensed by the other tube. The second tube is the pressure sensing tube, and does not itself deliver oxygen to the recipient.  
           [0006]    However, there is a drawback with this design. Because all of the supplemental oxygen is directed exclusively to one nostril, that nostril can become chafed, leading to patient discomfort. A need therefore exists for a switching apparatus and method that permits the switching of oxygen delivery back and forth between the two nostrils, while still permitting pressure sensing to occur.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an oxygen switching apparatus is disclosed. It comprises, in combination: a first tube having a first end and a second end; a second tube having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the tube receives oxygen under pressure; a third tube having a first end and a second end; a fourth tube having a first end and a second end; a switch in communication with each of the second end of the first tube, the second end of the second tube, the first end of the third tube and the first end of the fourth tube; wherein the second end of the third tube terminates proximate a first nostril of a person; wherein the second end of the fourth tube terminates proximate a second nostril of the person; wherein the switch is positioned so as to permit a user, upon activation of the switch, to alternate a flow of the oxygen under pressure from the second end of the first tube, as between the first end of the third tube and the first end of the second tube so that the oxygen under pressure exits only one of the second end of the third tube and the second end of the fourth tube.  
           [0008]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an oxygen switching apparatus is disclosed. It comprises, in combination: a source of oxygen under pressure; a single tube having a first end coupled to the source of oxygen under pressure and a second end; a second tube having a first end and a second end terminating proximate a first nostril of a person; a third tube having a first end and a second end terminating proximate a second nostril of a person; a switch in communication with and interposed between the second end of the first tube and the first end of each of the second tube and the first end of the third tube; the switch being positioned so as to permit a user, upon activation of the switch, to alternate a flow of the oxygen under pressure from the second end of the first tube as between the first end of the second tube and the first end of the third tube so that the oxygen under pressure exits only one of the second end of the second tube and the second end of the third tube.  
           [0009]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for switching delivery of oxygen between two oxygen carrying tubes is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first tube having a first end and a second end; providing a second tube having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the tube receives oxygen under pressure; providing a third tube having a first end and a second end; providing a fourth tube having a first end and a second end; providing a switch in communication with each of the second end of the first tube, the second end of the second tube, the first end of the third tube and the first end of the fourth tube; wherein the second end of the third tube terminates proximate a first nostril of a person; wherein the second end of the fourth tube terminates proximate a second nostril of the person; wherein the switch is positioned so as to permit a user, upon activation of the switch, to alternate a flow of the oxygen under pressure from the second end of the first tube, as between the first end of the third tube and the first end of the second tube so that the oxygen under pressure exits only one of the second end of the third tube and the second end of the fourth tube; receiving oxygen under pressure in the first end of the first tube; and activating the switch and thereby causing the oxygen under pressure from the second end of the first tube to be received in the other of the first end of the third tube and the first end of the fourth tube. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an oxygen delivery system incorporating an embodiment of a switch consistent with the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the oxygen-containing housing portion of an oxygen delivery system, having an integral switch consistent with the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of the switch shown in FIG. 1, taken along line  2 - 2 .  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the switch shown in FIG. 1, and further illustrating the flow between the oxygen containing housing and the switch, and the flow between the switch and the recipient.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a front view of the nipple assembly component of the oxygen delivery system of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an oxygen delivery system, having an integral switch consistent with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]    The method of the present invention can be accomplished in a number of different ways. In one embodiment, a switch  10  is positioned outside of an oxygen-containing housing  12 . See, e.g., FIG. 1, 3 and  5 . In another embodiment, a switch (not shown) may be positioned within the oxygen-containing housing  12 . See FIG. 1A. These will now be discussed in more detail.  
         [0017]    Turning first to the external switch  10  and referring first to FIGS. 1, 3 and  5 , an output (oxygen-delivering) tube  14  and an input (pressure-sensing) tube  16  are fed into a first end of the switch  10 . Two tubes (A and B) exit a second end of the switch  10 . By activation of the switch  10 , oxygen can be alternately delivered from tube  14 , through switch  10 , to tube A or tube B, with pressure sensing operating through the other of tube A or tube B. Pressure sensing will always, in this embodiment, occur via tube  16  below switch  10 , and will alternate between tube A and tube B depending on the position of the switch  10 .  
         [0018]    It will be preferred that the switch  10  be of a type that is highly visible to the user, so that it will be clear to the user which tube is carrying oxygen and which is sensing pressure. For example, color coding could be provided, so that a dot or other marking on the switch  10  would align with a corresponding symbol on one of the tubes A and B. In this way, a simple glance will immediately tell the user (or health care provider) which tube is carrying oxygen.  
         [0019]    It will further be preferred that the switch  10  be of a type that is positive in nature; i.e., that is either in one condition or another, but is not susceptible of being left in a middle position where oxygen is being simultaneously delivered to both tubes A and B, which would interfere with the pressure sensing ability of the system. The switch  10  could be mechanical, electrical or pneumatic (perhaps utilizing air from the oxygen system itself).  
         [0020]    Referring specifically to FIG. 2, an example of a mechanical version of the switch  10  is shown by way of example, and not by way of limitation. In this embodiment, the switch  10  comprises a superior section  11  and an inferior section  13 . The superior section  11  has two channels  30  therethrough, each with a cannula coupling member  32  positioned at the superior side thereof. Tubes A and B will each be coupled at an open end thereof to a coupling member  32 . (Of course, it should be noted that other means for coupling tubes A and B to the switch  10  could be provided, and coupling members  32  are shown only by way of example.) The inferior section  13  has two channels  31  therethrough (only one of which is visible in FIG. 2), each with a cannula coupling member  33  positioned at the superior side thereof. Tubes A and B will each be coupled at an open end thereof to a coupling member  32 . In the embodiment of FIG. 5, discussed below, it will be necessary to provide only a single channel  30  and corresponding coupling member  32  in the inferior section  13 .  
         [0021]    During operation, air will flow through tube  14 , through channel  31 , through channel  30  which is continuous with channel  31 , and will enter tube A. Tubes B and  16  will also be in communication through channels  30  and  31 , permitting pressure sensing at the housing  12 .  
         [0022]    Still referring to FIG. 2, the superior section  11  may be rotated relative to the inferior section  13  by grasping the outer rim  15  of the superior section  11 , and rotating the superior section  11  180 degrees. This will have the affect of placing Tubes  14  and B in communication, and Tubes  16  and A in communication—i.e., the reverse of the prior configuration. As a result, pressure sensing will now occur through Tube A, and air will be delivered through Tube B (though the oxygen carrying and pressure sensing roles of tubes  14  and  16  will not change).  
         [0023]    A person using an oxygen system having a switching system as above-described can operate it in a number of different ways. The person could wait until chafing or discomfort first develops in one nostril, and then switch oxygen delivery to the second nostril. Alternatively, the person could regularly switch oxygen delivery back and forth, perhaps according to a fixed schedule (e.g., allowing two hours of oxygen delivery to one nostril and then switching to the other for the next two hours).  
         [0024]    It should be apparent that a timing device could be utilized as well, with the timing device preferably being adjustable to take into account the sensibilities and needs of different patients. In addition, the timing device could simply be of an alarm-type, notifying the user that the specified period of time has passed so that the user can then operate the switch. Or, the timing device could be coupled to the switching mechanism, automatically switching oxygen delivery from tube A to tube B at prescribed intervals.  
         [0025]    Referring now to FIG. 1A, in another embodiment, the switch (not shown) is located within the oxygen-containing housing  12 . In this embodiment, the output (oxygen-delivering) and input (pressure-sensing) tubes (not shown) are fed into a first end of a switch that is also located within the housing  12 . Two tubes (A and B) exit a second end of the switch and thereafter the housing  12 , with the result that the switch is not exposed.  
         [0026]    In this embodiment, operation of the switch should be through controls that are located on the oxygen-containing housing  12 . Again, as described above, operation of the switch can be manual, or can be automatic according to a pre-set schedule.  
         [0027]    It should be apparent that one advantage of the methods herein described is that they permit the switching of oxygen delivery from one tube to the other without requiring the patient to actually remove the nipple ends from the nostrils. FIG. 4 illustrates the nipple ends  18 , which are coupled to tubes A and B and are inserted into the user&#39;s nostrils. Actual removal and reinsertion of the nipple ends  18  can itself be uncomfortable, and creates an infection risk.  
         [0028]    It should be noted that the method of the present invention could be utilized with other oxygen-delivery systems, including ones that do not utilize the pressure-sensing tube of the HELIOS® system. Referring now to FIG. 5, a system  100  is shown, in which oxygen from oxygen source  112  flows through a single tube  114 . Coupled to the tube  114  is a switch  110 . Tubes A and B have nipple ends  118  that are inserted into the nostrils.  
         [0029]    But for the switch  110 , both nostrils would simultaneously receive the delivery of oxygen. However, even where oxygen is simultaneously being delivered to both nostrils rather than solely to one, chafing and discomfort are possibilities. Operation of the switch  110  causes one of tube A or tube B to receive the flow of oxygen, with the other tube being sealed. This allows the user to give each nostril a period rest from the receipt of pressurized gas. As shown in FIG. 5, the switch  110  could be external to the oxygen source  1112 . Alternatively, the switch could be placed internally to the oxygen source  12 , in which case the two exit tubes would be required to exit the housing.  
         [0030]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form, and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.