Patent Publication Number: US-2013245516-A1

Title: Self-applicator for an airway clearance device

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a self-applicator for an airway clearance device. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a strap system that holds an airway clearance device, i.e., percussor, in a secure manner such that an individual can apply the percussor to their back without assistance from another person. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A percussor is a medical device for supplying impulse forces to a patient&#39;s back or chest for the purpose of loosening and dislodging bronchial secretions in the lungs. The present invention is of a system of straps to allow a person to properly apply a percussor against his or her own back. 
     Although there are many types of percussors, the present invention is preferably used with a percussor based on the use of a solenoid in developing inpulse forces for application to a patient&#39;s back. A solenoid is “a coil that surrounds a movable iron core which is pulled to a central position with respect to the coil when the coil is energized by sending current through it.” 
     By the nature of such a percussor and human physiology, it is extremely difficult for individual to self-apply a percussor to their own back. The present invention makes it possible for an individual to hold a percussor against his or her own back so as to properly apply the impacting force for the purpose of loosening and dislodging bronchial secretions in the lungs. The person can self-apply the percussor so as to not require the services of a technician in using the percussor. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a self-applicator for an airway clearance device that addresses these needs. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A self-applicator for an airway clearance device comprises first and second straps joined at their respective ends. The first strap overlays and is substantially co-extensive with the second strap. A pouch for holding the airway clearance device is disposed between the first and second straps. The self-applicator also comprises a pair of handles with one each attached to one of the respective ends of the first and second straps. 
     The first strap is preferably longer than the second strap so as to define an open region between the two straps. The second strap has an application surface on one side. The application surface comprises a padded material and is configured so as to make physical contact with a user&#39;s back. The pouch is disposed in the open region. The pouch is attached to at least one and preferably both of the straps. 
     The pouch comprises a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism is configured so as to securely hold the airway clearance device. The closure mechanism comprises adjustable hook and loop straps configured so as to accommodate airway clearance devices of varying sizes. 
     At least one of the pair of handles is attached to one of the ends of the first and second straps by an adjustable length harness. The other of the pair of handles is attached to the other of the ends of the first and second straps by a fixed length harness. 
     A method for using the self-applicator begins with the step of inserting the airway clearance device into the pouch. The airway clearance device is positioned in the pouch such that an anvil on the device is oriented toward the second strap. A user then grasps each of the pair of handles in his/her hands. The user then self-applies the application surface of the second strap to his/her back. The airway clearance device is turned on such that a force delivering surface of the anvil contacts the user&#39;s back through the application surface. 
     The method further comprises the step of closing the closure mechanism on the pouch so as to securely hold the airway clearance device in the pouch. The method also comprises the step of adjusting the length of the adjustable length harness on one of the pair of handles so that the user can comfortably perform the self-applying step. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of the self-applicator of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevated perspective view of the self-applicator of the present invention illustrating insertion of a percussor; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the self-applicator of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an environmental view of the self-applicator of the present invention being self-applied by a user; and 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up cut-away view of the self-applicator of the present invention being self-applied by a user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is directed to a self-applicator for an airway clearance device, the self-applicator being referred to generally by reference numeral  10 . The self-applicator  10  is configured to accept and securely retain an airway clearance device or percussor  12 . An airway clearance device or percussor  12  of the type contemplated to be used with the present invention is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2010/0113993, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference. 
       FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate the self-applicator  10  along with its various components. The self-applicator  10  has a pair of straps  14 ,  16  being substantially co-extensive with one overlaying the other. The respective ends of the straps  14   a,    16   a  and  14   b,    16   b  are stitched  18  together or joined by any securing means know to those skilled in the art. One of the straps  14  is preferably slightly longer that the second strap  16  such that when the ends of the first strap  14   a,    14   b  are joined to the ends of the second strap  16   a,    16   b,  there is an open area  20  between the two straps  14 ,  16 . Preferably, the stitching  18  or other securing means is applied a second time  18   a  for added securement. 
     A pouch  22  is disposed in the open area  20  between the straps  14 , 16 . The pouch  22  may be in the form of a U-shaped pocket having a bottom  24 , upright sides  26   a,    26   b  and an open top  28 . The pouch  32  in configured and designed to accept the percussor  12  through the open top  28  and securely retain the percussor  12  therein. Front and back edges  30   a,    30   b  are in contact with inside surfaces  14   c,    16   c  of the strap  14 ,  16 . At least one of the front and back edges  30   a,    30   b  are attached to the inside surfaces  14   c,    16   c  so as to securely retain the pouch  22  in the open area  20 . Preferably, both front and back edges  30   a,    30   b  are attached to the inside surfaces  14   c,    16   c.    
     The pouch  22  also includes a closure mechanism  32  designed to cover the open top  28 . The closure mechanism  32  preferably comprises a pair of adjustable hook and loop straps  34   a,    34   b.  The straps  34   a,    34   b  preferably have essential their entire mating surfaces covered by hook and loop material, i.e., VELCRO®, whereby the respective straps  34   a,    34   b  can be adhered to each other at any point along their length. The closure mechanism  32  can also comprise snaps, buttons, a zipper, or other commonly known methods of closure. 
     A pair of handles  36 ,  38  are secured to the respective ends  14   a / 16   a,    14   b / 16   b  of the straps. The ends  36   a,    38   a  of the handles  36 ,  38  are preferably secured between the ends  14   a / 16   a,    14   b / 16   b  of the straps when they are stitched  18  together. At least one of the straps  38  includes an adjustable length harness  40  so that the length of the handle  38  may be changed to accommodate users of different sizes. Each of the handles  36 ,  38  include respective grips  36   b,    38   b  for a user  40  to grasp in each of his/her hands  44 . 
     The second strap  16  includes an applicator surface  16   d  that is configured to contact the back  46  of a user  42  when the self-applicator  10  being applied. The application surface  16   d  is aligned with the inside surface  16   c  at the point where the pouch  22  is disposed or secured. The applicator surface  16   d  preferably comprises a soft, comfortable material that will not irritate a user&#39;s skin and can easily and smoothly move during use. The applicator surface  16   d  may even include padding to provide comfort to the user. 
     The method of using the self-applicator  10  begins with arranging the self-applicator  10  on a surface such that the pouch  22  is oriented with the open top  28  pointing upwards. A user then inserts the percussor  12  into the open top  28  of the pouch. The percussor  12  is positioned in the pouch such that an anvil  12   a  on the percussor  12  is pointed toward the inside surface  16   c  of the second strap  16 . The closure mechanism  32  is secured around the percussor  12  so as to securely retain the percussor  12  in the pouch  22  in a manner that does not allow rotation, revolution or other similar movements during use. 
     If necessary, the user  42  can adjust the length of the adjustable length harness  40  to make the self-applicator  10  more comfortable to use. The user  42  then grasps each of the handles  38 ,  36  in his or her hands  44  and self-applies the application surface  16   d  to his/her back  46 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the self-applicator  10  spans the user&#39;s back  46  with the user&#39;s hand  44  in front of his/her body, pulling the handles  36 ,  38  forward to apply pressure to the back  46 . The user  42  then turns on the percussor  12 . 
     By moving ones hand  44  up/down and side/side, the user  42  can self-apply the percussor  12  to almost any area of his/her back  46 . By aligning the anvil  12   a  of the percussor  12  with the application surface  16   d,  the user is able to keep the anvil  12   a  in contact with the user&#39;s back  46  without the need for a treatment technician or the aid of any other person. The user can also more easily self-apply the percussor  12  to those parts of his/her back  46  that are most beneficial for the loosening or dislodging of bronchial secretions in the lungs, rather than try and describe to another person where to apply the percussor  12 . 
     Except for the applicator surface  16   d,  described above, the self-applicator  10  and its various components are made from a sturdy, durable material such as nylon or similar polymer material. The goal in selecting a material is to make sure that the self-applicator  10  is comfortable for the user while durable enough to withstand the stresses of self-application and the movement of the percussor  12 . The grips  36   b,    38   b  preferably comprise a soft, durable polymer material such as polyurethane, latex, or similar materials, molded to form hand grips  36   b,    38   b.    
     Although the self-applicator  10  has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The above-described disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is determined only by the following claims.