Patent Publication Number: US-2021178101-A1

Title: Protective, sanitary, securable nasal cannula cover

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a nasal cannula cover. The cover includes a body having a cavity adapted to receive at least the prongs of a nasal cannula to protect the same from contaminants when the nasal cannula is not in use. Vents are present in the body to facilitate moisture removal from the cavity and discourage bacterial growth. The cover contains a nasal cannula connector with a fastener that temporarily connects the nasal cannula to the cover. The cover further includes an attachment fixture that facilitates connection of the cover to a surface, such as, but not limited to, a strap of a bag that a portable oxygen concentrator is carried in, a cart that carries an oxygen tank or concentrator or even a surface in the home, for example a chain, doorknob or home oxygen source, so that the nasal cannula does not come in contact with any unsanitary surface. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Supplemental oxygen is delivered to patients with the use of a nasal cannula. A nasal cannula is a device consisting of hollow, flexible plastic tubing. One end connects to an oxygen supply line of the device that holds or generates the level of oxygen the patient needs. The other end delivers oxygen to the patient&#39;s nostrils via two prongs that are inserted into the patient&#39;s nose, one prong of the cannula resting inside each nostril. 
     Systems to delivery oxygen to a user include both home systems as well as portable systems. Portable systems such as portable oxygen concentrators and oxygen canisters are used to supply oxygen to the user outside the home and provide mobility. Each system uses a cannula. Oxygen concentrators utilize filters to remove contaminants from the air such as dust, hair, and bacteria and deliver a supply of clean oxygen to the user. 
     Similarly, a cannula cover prevents contact with unclean surfaces that may pollute the cannula nasal prongs when the user isn&#39;t wearing it. It also prevents contact with mold, fungus, and viruses on surfaces such as counters and floors upon which a cannula might come into contact. The cannula cover can be used with the dedicated cannula that is attached to the home source of oxygen or to the dedicated cannula attached to a mobile device, such as a portable oxygen concentrator or oxygen tank. 
     One of the inventors is a user of supplemental oxygen and has discovered, first-hand, problems associated with utilizing nasal cannula. For example, many users do not like to wear nasal cannula when eating. However, when not in use, the nasal cannula can fall onto the floor of a home or restaurant which can cause contact with dirt, mold, fungus, or other pathogens that can later be inhaled and may be dangerous to already compromised lungs. 
     Use of a nasal cannula with a portable oxygen generator while the user is mobile can cause additional problems. The bag or carrying case for the portable oxygen concentrator does not have a way to secure the nasal cannula for storage. One does not want to place the nasal cannula on the portable oxygen concentrator case or contact the case because the same may also be contaminated. Hanging the nasal cannula from the carrying case or placing it the pocket of the carrying case are equally undesirable options because other objects such as a wallet, inhaler, tissues, etc. may already be present therein and contaminated. 
     Public restrooms also present another situation in which is it difficult to store the nasal cannula property. For women, the portable oxygen concentrator can be held on the lap, which is not comfortable. Men may need to have the use of their hands available to them or not want to hang the portable concentrator over their shoulder when using the bathroom to keep out of contact with bathroom fluids. One option is to hang it on a hook on the back of a restroom stall door. However, the length of the nasal cannula tubing may not always reach the toilet when hung on the door hook. This makes it necessary to temporarily remove the nasal cannula and hang it unsecurely on the bathroom stall hook or equally unsecured in a pocket of the case of the portable oxygen concentrator. 
     Even at home, a user may commonly hang the nasal cannula on anything conveniently nearby such as a doorknob, a water bottle sitting on a kitchen counter or even the back of a chair. In these situations, nasal cannula frequently come into contact with unclean surfaces or fall onto a floor which allows the nasal cannula to potentially come into contact with contaminants. 
     Therefore, problems to be solved relate to the necessity of protecting the nasal prongs of the nasal cannula from contaminants, at home, outside the home and even in a hospital setting. 
     Various devices to be utilized in association with nasal cannulas have been proposed in the art. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,731,038, 8,887,919, 8,746,251, 7,798,332, D612,148, 2019/0209798, 2015/0034090 and 2009/0199858. 
     However, the prior art does not solve all of the problems noted above and a nasal cannula cover is still needed that is safe, convenient and is an inexpensive product that can protect a nasal cannula and prevent contaminants from entering the oxygen user&#39;s lungs and is an advancement over previous designs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problems noted above and others are solved by the nasal cannula cover of the present invention which provides sanitary storage for a nasal cannula when not in use. The cover is preferably of single piece construction and ergonomically designed, generally in the form of a semi-circle or partial oval. The cover includes a body having a cavity into which nasal prongs of a nasal cannula can be inserted. The cover also includes a nasal cannula connector, preferably two arms, that temporarily connect the nasal cannula to the cover. The nasal cannula can be inserted into the cover with little pressure and removed as easily with a slight pull or tug. Due to the presence of a cannula seat on the cover that conforms to the shape of the nasal cannula, the act of inserting the nasal cannula into the cover seals the cannula prongs within the body of the cover. 
     In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a divider is present in the cavity of the cover that separates the two prongs of the nasal cannula to prevent cross contamination. 
     In still another embodiment, an anti-microbial coating is provided on at least one portion of the nasal cannula cover, such as in the cavity thereof. 
     In still a further embodiment, the cover includes an attachment fixture including a handle that is formed on or connected to the body that facilitates connection of an object for hanging the cover during storage. Preferably the handle includes an aperture that extends completely through the body which is convenient for allowing a user to attach the cover utilizing a hook, Velcro® or other device that can facilitate attachment of the cover to another object, such as a strap or other part of case or bag for a portable oxygen concentrator. While the nasal cannula cover attaches to the strap of an oxygen carrying case or cart for easy access, it can also be attached to items in the home to include but not limited to a kitchen chair where a user commonly takes the cannula off to eat, bathroom doorknob where a user takes off the cannula to bathe and dress, and a home oxygen source for safe storage when the user switches to a mobile oxygen unit. 
     There are many inventive advancements in the design of the cover over previously published and patented designs. For example, the cover can be attached to an oxygen carrying case, bag or oxygen cart for easy access and portability. Further, the nasal cannula cover utilizes the cannulas own natural compressive properties to hold the prongs within the cavity of the cover and the nasal cannula itself securely in place on the cover, sealing the nasal cannula prongs in the cavity. In addition, the cover is preferably made from a single piece of material, preferably a polymer and is free of a lid and free of a hinge that can be broken. Also, the cover is easier to use than the prior art and the nasal cannula can be connected to the cover by simply pushing the cannula against the cover to seat the cannula in the nasal cannula connector and there is no need to open any lid or container. The cover is thus very easy to use, can be rapidly deployed, and is very convenient, particularly if the user has arthritis in one or more fingers. 
     Accordingly, in one aspect a nasal cannula cover for use with a nasal cannula is disclosed, comprising a body having a cavity extending a depth from an outer surface of the body into an interior portion of the body; a divider that separates the cavity into a first section adapted to accept a first prong of the nasal cannula and a second section adapted to accept a second prong of the nasal cannula; and a nasal cannula connector including a fastener that is adapted to releasably engage and connect the nasal cannula to the cover for storage of nasal prongs of the nasal cannula within the cavity. 
     In another aspect a nasal cannula cover for use with a nasal cannula is disclosed, comprising a body having a cavity extending a depth from an outer surface of the body into an interior portion of the body; a nasal cannula connector including a fastener that is adapted to releasably engage and connect the nasal cannula to the cover for storage; wherein the fastener includes a first arm located on a first side of the body adjacent the cavity and a second arm located on a second side of the body adjacent the cavity, wherein the first arm and second arm are adapted to releasably connect the nasal cannula therebetween. 
     For the avoidance of doubt, it is to be understood that while various embodiments of the invention are described individually, it should be clear two or more of the embodiments can and are often present in a single nasal cannula cover according to the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent by reading the detailed description of the invention, taken together with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a nasal annual cover, wherein the bottom view is identical to the top view; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a first side view thereof, wherein the other side is identical thereto; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is rear perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view illustrating the air vents extending into the cavity as well as the depth of the cavity; and 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the nasal cannula cover in use having a nasal cannula secured therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The nasal cannula cover of the present invention provides a sanitary location to store and protect the nasal prongs of a nasal cannula when the latter is not in use. The cover is designed so that the nasal cannula can be plugged into the cover such that the nasal prongs extend into a cavity of the cover thereby shielding them from contact with a contaminant such as bacteria, pathogen, virus, dirt or the like. The areas that contact the user such as the prongs and the area immediately around and between the prongs are sealed and protected within the nasal cannula cover. The user never has to touch and contaminate these sensitive areas of the cannula in order to use the nasal cannula cover. 
     Turning now to the drawings, one embodiment of a nasal cannula cover  10  is illustrated in the numerous figures attached hereto. The cover has a body  20  formed from a durable material, preferably a polymer. Polyurethane is preferred in one embodiment. A one-piece construction is illustrated, but it is to be understood that the cover can be formed from two or more pieces of the same or different materials as desired. While the cover is illustrated in a semi-circular form, it should be apparent that other shapes can be utilized as long as the cover functions in its intended use to protect the nasal prongs of a nasal cannula. The body, as illustrated in the figures, a front end  30  which includes a cavity  32  extending inwardly from an outer surface  33  thereof, a top  40  and a bottom  50  that extend laterally a greater distance than sides  60  which connect the top and bottom. An attachment fixture  70  is shown located at a rear end of the body. 
     The cavity  32  extends a sufficient depth, measured from an outer surface of the body  20 , into an interior portion of the body such that the nasal prongs of the nasal cannula can be stored therein. In some embodiments it is desirable that the nasal prongs fit within the cavity such that the distal ends of the prongs are not in contact with any surface of the cavity. In some embodiments, the body  20  has at least one vent  22  that extends from an outer surface of the body to the cavity for providing air and moisture exchange. Moisture is allowed to escape through the vent and be replaced with fresh air that can circulate around the nasal prongs and an airtight seal would otherwise trap moisture inside the device and promote bacterial growth. 
     As show in  FIGS. 2, 5 and 7 , in one embodiment a divider  35  is present in the cavity and separates the cavity into a first section  33  adapted to accept a first prong of the nasal cannula and a second section  34  adapted to accept a second prong of the nasal cannula. The divider prevents cross contamination between nasal prongs of the nasal cannula. In a preferred embodiment, the divider  35  extends from the base  36  of the cavity  32  up towards the front end  30  of the body  20  a distance of at least 50% or at least 75% or 85% of the total height of the cavity, measured from the base  36  of the cavity to the outer surface of the body. In  FIG. 2 , the divider  35  is shown extending between a first wall  37  of the cavity and a second wall  38  of the cavity. The first wall  37  of the cavity  35  extends laterally within the top of the cover and the second wall  38  extends laterally within the bottom of the cover. The sides  60  of the cover include the side walls  39  of the cavity  32 . The cavity is generally enclosed on all sides except for at the front end in order to allow insertion of the nasal cannula. 
     A nasal cannula connector  80  is provided to temporarily connect the nasal cannula to the cover  10 . The nasal cannula cover  10  includes a fastener  82  that is adapted to releasably engage and connect to the nasal cannula for storage of the nasal prongs of the nasal cannula within the cavity. The nasal cannula connector  80  releasably secures the nasal cannula utilizing pressure via the fastener  82  which preferably has a clamping structure. 
     In one embodiment the fastener  82  includes a first arm  84  located adjacent the first wall  37  of the cavity  32  and a second arm  86  located adjacent the second wall  38  of the cavity  32 , wherein the first arm  84  and the second arm  86  are adapted to releasably connect the nasal cannula therebetween, for example as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The arms  84 , 86  preferably curve inwardly, outwardly from the cover and around the outer surface of nasal cannula  10  when the nasal prongs of the nasal cannula are inserted into the cavity  32 . As illustrated in the side view of  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment one or more arms  84 , 86  of the nasal cannula connector are curved in shape. As can be imagined, in some embodiments only a single arm is needed in order to releasably connect the nasal cannula between the arm and a nasal cannula seat  88  of the body. 
     Nasal cannula seat  88  is present at the top of the cavity  32  at ends of the first wall  37  and second wall  38  which include respectively, a first seat  88  and a second seat  88  adapted to contact a portion of the nasal cannula when releasably connected to the cover  10  for storage. The first seat  88  and second seat  88  are preferably formed as curved sections which correspond to a curved potion of the nasal cannula and thereby form a seal with the nasal cannula when connected to the cover. 
     In order to facilitate connection of the nasal cannula cover  10  to another object, for example a bag or carrying case for a portable oxygen concentrator or source of oxygen or a hook or other structure, the cover includes an attachment fixture  70  which includes a handle  72  formed on or connected to the body  20  that allows connection to the object for hanging otherwise connecting the cover to the object. 
     In a preferred embodiment as illustrated, the handle  72  includes an aperture  74  extending completely through the body, such as through the top and bottom surfaces. The aperture  74  of the handle  72  is not connected to, and is separate and thus isolated from the cavity. The presence of the aperture allows use of the cover with a line, cord, hook, clip or the like to allow attachment directly or indirectly to another object. 
     For the avoidance of doubt, it is to be understood that the nasal cannula cover of the present invention can include one or more of each of the embodiments described herein. In some cases, it is desirable to provide a nasal cannula cover with each of the embodiments presented herein and some other nesting deterrent comprise less than all of the embodiments described. 
     In accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode and preferred embodiment have been set forth; the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims.