Patent Publication Number: US-2021178100-A1

Title: Nasal cannula device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/115,150 filed Dec. 8, 2020, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/038,124 filed Jul. 17, 2018 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,905,840, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to two novel designs of a nasal cannula device, which is suitable for use in respiratory therapy for the delivery of a. stream of gas during respiratory therapy. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A nasal cannula device, such as the one taught in US 2020/0023153A1, is commonly used in respiratory therapy for the supply of a respiratory gas to patients in need of assisted respiration. During operation, nasal joint tubes of the nasal cannula device are inserted into the nostrils of the patient, so that supplemental oxygen and/or humidified therapeutic gas may be delivered to the patient&#39;s respiratory tract. However, the nasal joint tubes of the nasal cannula device tend to bend and deform when compressed, thereby results in inadvertently closing the air conduit in the nasal, joint tube and jeopardizing the patient&#39;s health. 
     In view of the problem presently exists in the related art, there is a need of an improved design of the nasal cannula device, which would prevent the air conduit in the nasal joint tube from being inadvertently closed, and ensure continued supply of a respiratory gas to its recipient. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a nasal cannula device suitable for supplying a flow of respiratory gas to a user. The nasal cannula device includes at least a cannula body, and a base, wherein, 
     the cannula body has a front, top, and rear sides, in which the rear side is substantially longer than the front side and flattens out at both ends in the form of a wing, and the cannula body comprises, 
     a tab extending out from the lower end of the rear surface; 
     a nasal joint tube extending out from the top surface of the cannula body, and 
     a first connecting member formed on the tab; wherein, 
     the front, top, and rear sides, and the tab collectively defines a space for accommodating the base therein; and the base comprises, 
     an opening formed on the top of the base; 
     two through holes respectively formed on the left and right ends of the base; and 
     a second connecting member formed on the bottom of the base; wherein, 
     the first and second connecting members are configured to engage with each other thereby enclosing the base within the space collectively defined by the front, top, and rear sides, and the tab of the cannula body. 
     According to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the first connecting member may be an aperture formed on the tab, while the second connecting member may be a protrusion formed on the bottom outer surface of the base, or vice versa. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the top surface of the cannula body may further include a recess area, in which the nasal joint tube extends therefrom. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube may further include a junction ring disposed around the foot of the nasal joint tube, and the junction ring has a constant height or a height that varies along the circumference of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube further includes a recessed annular section recessed from the outer surface or the inner surface of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube further includes a ribbed section having one or more ribs disposed longitudinally around the outer surface or the inner surface of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube may further include a protruding annular section protruded from the outer surface or the inner surface of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, at least one part of the nasal joint tube is made from a relatively less rigid material as compared with that of the rest of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube may further include an aperture formed thereon. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the rear side of the cannula body further comprises two blocking tabs respectively formed at each ends of the wing to help secure the head gear in place. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the cannula device further includes a head gear having two supporters, which are coupled to the left and right ends of the base, respectively. 
     In accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a nasal cannula device suitable for supplying a flow of respiratory gas to a user. The nasal cannula device includes, a cannula body having a tubular body, in which one side of the tubular body is substantially longer than the rest of the tubular body and flattens out at both ends in the form of a wing; and a nasal joint tube extended out from the outer surface of the tubular body. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the tubular body may further include a recessed area on its outer surface, in which the nasal joint tube extends out from the recessed area. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube may further include a junction ring disposed around the foot of the nasal joint tube, and the junction ring has a constant height or a height that varies along the circumference of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube may further include a recessed annular section recessed from the outer surface or the inner surface of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube may further include a ribbed section having one or more ribs disposed longitudinally around the outer surface or the inner surface of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube may further include a protruding annular section protruded from the outer surface or the inner surface of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, at least one part of the nasal joint tube is made from a relatively less rigid material as compared with that of the rest of the nasal joint tube. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube may further include an aperture formed thereon. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal cannula device may further include a head gear having two supporters, which are coupled to the left and right ends of the cannula body, respectively. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal cannula device may further include two adapters for coupling the two supporters to the left or right ends of the cannula body, respectively. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the side of the tubular body that is substantially longer further comprises two blocking tabs respectively formed at each ends of the wing to help secure the head gear in place. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the drawings given herein below for illustration only, and thus does not limit the disclosure wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a conventional respiratory system for providing a stream of respiratory gas to a user during respiratory therapy; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a nasal cannula device suitable for use with the respiratory system of  FIG. 1 . in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  are schematic diagrams of a cannula body and a base of the nasal cannula device of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a side view of the cannula body of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 3A  is the perspective view of the cannula body of  FIG. 2B  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is the cross-sectional view of the nasal joint tube of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is the cross-sectional view of another nasal, joint tube; 
         FIG. 4  are cross-sectional views of various forms of a nasal joint tube in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5A  a perspective view of a nasal joint tube having a ribbed section in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is a sideview of the nasal joint tube of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG 5C  is a side view of a nasal joint tube having a ribbed section the annular recessed area in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5D  is a cross sectional view of the ribbed section of the nasal joint tube of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5E  is a cross sectional view of the ribbed section of another nasal joint tube; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a cannula body, in which the nasal joint tube further includes a junction ring, at its foot; 
         FIG. 6B  is a side view of the nasal joint tube of  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a cross sectional view of another nasal joint tube having a junction ring, with its height varied along the circumference of the nasal joint tube; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the assembly of a head gear with the present nasal cannula device; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a cannula device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8B  is a front view of the cannula body of the device in  FIG. 8A ; and 
         FIG. 8C  is a side view of the cannula body in  FIG. 8B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed descriptions and technical contents of the present disclosure are illustrated below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the descriptions and the accompanying drawings disclosed herein are merely illustrative and exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     1. Respiratory System 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a respiratory system  100  for providing a stream of respiratory gas to a user  102  during respiratory therapy. The respiratory system  100  typically includes at least, a gas supply unit  103 , a nasal cannula device  104 , and a supply conduit  105 , in which the supply conduit  105  is connected to the gas supply unit  103  at one end and to the nasal cannula device  104  at the other end. When in use, the gas supply unit  103  may provide a stream of gas (e.g., oxygen or air) at a pre-determined pressure, flow rate and/or humidity to the user  102  with the aid of the nasal cannula device  104 , such as the one that will be described below. 
     2. Nasal Cannula Device 
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic drawing of the present nasal cannula device  200  suitable for use with a respiratory system (e.g., the one depicted in  FIG. 1 ) for providing a stream of respiratory gas to a user during respiratory therapy. The nasal cannula device  200  includes at least, a cannula body  210 , a base  220 , a head gear  230 ; and optionally, an air tube  240 , and a clamp  250 . The air tube  240  is coupled to one end of the base  220 , and the clamp  250  helps secure the air tube  240  to the head gear  230 , and at the same time, help balance the weight of the device  200  when it is worn on the user&#39;s head. In operation, when one end of the base  220  is connected to the air tube  240 , then the other end of the base  220  is closed with a plug. Note that the plug is not visible from  FIG. 2A . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , which depicts the cannula body  210  and the base  220 . The cannula body  210  has in its structure, a front side  211 , a top side  212 , a rear side  213 , and two tabs  214  respectively extending from the lower end of the rear side  213 . The rear side  213  is substantially longer than the front side  211  and flattens out at both ends in the form of a wing. The front, the top, the rear sides  211 ,  212 ,  213 , and the two tabs  214  collectively define a space  215  for accommodating the base  220  therein when the cannula body  210  and the base  220  are assembled to form the device  200 . Referring to  FIG. 2C , which is a side view of the cannula body  210 , in which the space  215  for accommodating the base  220  is revealed. Additionally, two nasal joint tubes  216  are independently formed and extended out from the top side  212  of the cannula body  210  for inserting into the nostrils of a user. Further, each tab  214  has an aperture  218  formed thereon for subsequent coupling with the base  220 . Note that in this embodiment, each nasal joint tube  216  has a recessed annular section  216   r  recessed from its outer surface, however, in alternative embodiments, the recessed annular section  216   r  may be recessed from the inner surface of the tube  216 , which will be described in  FIG. 4 . 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the top side  212  of the cannula body  210  may further include two recessed areas  217 , in which the two nasal joint tube  216  are respectively formed and extended thereout ( FIG. 3A ). In some embodiments, the nasal joint tube  216  has the same thickness as that of the top side  212  of the cannula body  210  ( FIG. 3B ). In other embodiments, the nasal joint tube  216  has a thickness that is smaller than that of the top side  212  of the cannula body  210  ( FIG. 3C ). Additionally, or alternatively, the rear side  213  of the cannula body  210 , which is in the form of a wing, may further include two blocking tabs  2131  respectively formed at each ends of the wing to help secure the head gear  230  in place (i.e., from moving) ( FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 3A ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B  again, the base  220  of the cannula body  210  comprises in its structure, an opening  221  formed on the top of the base  220 , two through holes  224  respectively formed at the left and right ends  222   a,    222   b  of the base  220 , and two protrusions  228  independently formed and extended from the bottom outer surface of the base  220 . 
     When in use, the cannula body  210  and the base  220  are manually assembled via engaging the two protrusion  228  of the base  220  with the two apertures  218  of the tabs  214  thereby securely enclosing the base  220  within the space  215  collectively defined by the front, the top, the rear sides  211 ,  212 ,  213 , and the two tabs  214  of the cannula body  210 . Additionally, or alternatively, each tab  214  of the cannula body  210  may have a protrusion protruding out from its surface, while the bottom surface of the base  220  may have two corresponding apertures formed thereon, so that the two protrusions of the tabs  214  may engage with the two apertures of the base  220  thereby securely enclosing the base  220  within the space of the cannula body  210 . Note that the engagement of the two protrusion  228  and the two apertures  218  also places the opening  221  of the base  220  right underneath the two nasal joint tubes  216  thereby forms an air conduit allowing the stream of gas (e.g., supplied from the gas supply unit  103  via the supply conduit  105 ) to pass the nasal cannula device  200  and enters the user&#39;s nostrils. 
     The cannula body  210  and the base  220  may be made of same or different material. Examples of the material suitable for making the cannula body  210  and the base  220  include, but are not limited to, silicone, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polycaprolactone (PCL), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polysulfone (PSU), polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate glycol (PCTG) and the like. According to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the cannula. body  210  is made of silicone, while the base  220  is made of PC. 
     2.1 The Nasal Joint Tube 
     References are now made to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , which are schematic drawings of various forms of the present nasal joint tube, such as the one depicted in  FIG. 2 or 3 . In general, each nasal joint tube suitable for use in the present invention may have an inner diameter that remains constant throughout its entire length ( FIG. 4 , (A), (F), (G), (I) and (J)), or may be varied from one part to another ( FIG. 4 , (B) to (E), (H), (K) and (L)). In some embodiments, the nasal joint tube has an inner diameter that decreases gradually from its foot towards the top ( FIG. 4 , (C) and (D)). In other embodiments, the nasal joint tube has an inner diameter that decreases step-wisely ( FIG. 4 , (E)). in further embodiments, at least one part of the tube has an inner diameter that remains constant, while the other part of the tube has an inner diameter that varies gradually ( FIG. 4 , (B), (D), (K), and (L)). 
     Further, at least one section of the nasal joint tube is made less rigid or more rigid than that of the rest of the tube. In either situation, the section chosen to be modified (i.e., the section being made less or more rigid as compared to other parts of the tube) is pre-determined, preferably, modification is made to the section of the tube close to its foot. 
     (i) Recessed and Protruded Annular Sections 
     To make certain section of the nasal joint tube  216  less rigid than the rest of the tube, the nasal joint tube may further include a recessed annular section  216   r,  which may be recessed from the outer surface or the inner surface of the nasal joint tube  216  ( FIG. 4 , (A) to (E), and (K) to (L)). In certain embodiments, the recessed annular section  216   r  is recessed in rounded form in cross section from the outer or inner surfaces of the tube  216  ( FIG. 4 , (A) to (D), and (K) to (L)). Preferably, the inner diameter of the nasal joint tube  216  in the recessed annular section  216   r  decreases gradually from its foot towards the top, while that of the other part of the nasal joint tube  216  remains constant ( FIG. 4 , (K) and (L)). In other embodiments, the recessed annular section  216   r  is recessed trapezoidally in cross section in two steps from the inner surface of the tube  216  ( FIG. 4 , (E)). Additionally, Of alternatively, instead of having a recessed annular section, certain section of the nasal joint tube (e.g., from the foot above certain height/length of the tube) may be made from a less rigid material or soft material (e.g., silicone), while the other part of the nasal joint tube is made from a more rigid material (e.g., PVC, PE, PCL, and etc). Alternatively, the tube may be made from same type of material having different mechanical strength (e.g., hardness), for example, certain section is made from silicon with a shore hardness of  50 A, while the other part of the tube is made from silicon with a shore hardness of  30 A. Still alternatively or optionally, certain section of the nasal joint tube may be made less rigid by creating one or more apertures thereon to weaken the mechanical strength of the tube ( FIG. 4 , (F)). 
     To make one section of the nasal joint tube more rigid than the rest of the tube, the nasal joint tube  216  may further include a protruding annular section  216   p,  which may be protruded from the outer surface or the inner surface of the nasal joint tube  216  ( FIG. 4 , (G) to (J)). In certain embodiments, the protruded annular section  216   p  protrudes in rounded form in cross section from the outer or inner surfaces of the tube  216  ( FIG. 4 , (G) and (H)). In other embodiments, the protruding annular section  216   p  protrudes perpendicularly out from the outer surfaces of the tube  216 , then tapers up or down along the outer surface until it rejoins the tube body, thereby having a triangular form in cross section ( FIG. 4 , (I) and (J)). 
     (II) Ribbed Section 
     Additionally, or alternatively, a ribbed section  216   s,  which comprises a plurality of parallel ribs  219 , may be included in each nasal joint tube ( FIG. 5 ). 
     In one preferred form, the ribbed section  216   s  extends around the circumferential perimeter of the nasal joint tube  216 , and above the recessed annular section  216   r  ( FIGS. 5A and 5B ). Alternatively, the ribbed section  216   s  may also extend the full length of the tube. In another preferred form, the ribbed section  216   s  may be disposed right within the recessed annular section  216   r  ( FIG. 5C ), The ribbed section  216   s  is formed from adjacent parallel ribs  219 , with the ribs  219  being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube  216 . Each rib  219  is formed in the tube  216  by having thick-walled portions  2191  parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube  216 . The thick-walled portions  2191  are separated from adjacent thick-wailed portions  2191  by intervening thin-walled portions  2192 , the thin-walled portions  2192  being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube  216  (i.e., around the circumferential perimeter of the tube). The thick-wailed portions  2191  alternate with the thin-walled portions  2192 , thus each rib  219  is made up of one thick-walled portion  2191  with a thin-walled portion on either side ( FIGS. 5D and 5E ), 
     The thick-walled portions  2191  and the thin-wailed portions  2192  may be formed substantially circular, arc, square, rectangular, triangular or trapezoid in cross section, or may be in any desirable shape. Alternatively, the ribbed section of the tube may be formed with the outer surface of the ribbed section being smooth, and the circular, arc, square, rectangular, triangular or trapezoid-wave type ribbed profile in the inner surface of the ribbed section. Alternatively, a center line of the thick-walled portions  2191  may be aligned or offset so that the circular, arc, square, rectangular, triangular or trapezoid-wave type ribbed profile is in both the inner and outer surfaces of the ribbed section  216   s.    
     (iii) Junction Ring 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the nasal joint tube  216 , such as the one depicted in  FIGS. 2B, 5 or 6 , may further include a junction ring  216   j  disposed around the foot of the nasal joint tube  216  ( FIG. 6A ). In some embodiment, the junction ring  216   j  has a constant height ( FIG. 6B ). In other embodiments, the height of the junction ring  216   j  varies along its top circumference or the circumference of the nasal joint tube  216  ( FIG. 6C ). 
     2.2 The Head Gear 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the nasal cannula device  200  also includes a head gear  230  coupled to the left and right ends  222   a,    222   b  of the base  220 . The head gear  230  includes at least, two flexible supporters  231  and an elastic fabric cover  232 . Each flexible over-ear supporter  231  has two ends, in which one end has a fastener  2311  extended thereout for coupling to the left or right ends  222   a,    222   b  of the base  220 , while the other end of the over-ear supporter  231  is received in the elastic fabric cover  232 . The fastener  2311  may be in the shape of a letter “C”, “D”, “O” or “U.” In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , each fastener  2311  has the shape of the letter “O”, capable of encircling the left or right ends  222   a,    222   b  of the flexible supporter  231  therein. Note that the shape of the fastener  2311  is not limited to the indicated shapes, as long as it may securely couple the flexible supporter  231  to the base  220 . 
     Returning to the elastic fabric cover  232 , which is substantially in the form of a tube and has two open ends for receiving respective ends of the two supporters  231 . Additionally the elastic fabric cover  232  further includes an over-head strap  2321 , which help securing the head gear  230  on the user&#39;s head and stabilizing the seal created between the nasal joint tubes  216  and the user&#39;s nasal cavity, which in turn prevents inadvertent detachment of the nasal joint tubes  216  from the nasal cavity when the device  200  is in use. 
     3. Alternative Form of the Nasal Cannula Device 
     In the embodiment described in Section 2 of this paper, the nasal cannula device  200  comprises in its structure, at least a cannula body  210  and a base  220 . The cannula device in this alternative embodiment differs from that in Section 2 in that it does not require the presence of a base (e.g., the base  200  as described in  FIGS. 2 to 7 ), thereby rendering the cannula device in this alternative embodiment more compact in structure, and lighter in weight, thus is more comfortable to wear when in use. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in which panel (A) is a perspective view of the cannula device  800  of this embodiment. The cannula device  800  includes, at least, a cannula body  810 , a head gear  830 ; and optionally, an air tube  840 , and a clamp  850 . Note that in this embodiment, the air tube  840  is coupled to one end of cannula body  810 , preferably through an adapter (not visible from  FIG. 8 ), which will be described below. Like the function of clamp  250  described above, the clamp  850  helps secure the air tube  840  to the head gear  830 , and at the same time, help balance the weight of the device  800  when it is worn on the user&#39;s head. 
     Turning to the cannula body  810 , it has a tube-like structure with one side of the tube body being substantially longer than the other side in length and flattens out at both ends in the form of a wing ( FIG. 8 , (B)). The cannula body  810  comprises in its structure, a tubular body  802 ; and two nasal joint tubes  816 , which independently extends out from the outer surface of the tubular body  802 . The tubular body  802  has a hollow space  815  inside; and two open ends  804   a,    804   b,  in which either ends  804   a,    804   b  may be connected to the air tube  840 . In operation, one end  804   a,    804   b  of the tubular body  802  is connected to the air tube  840 , while the other end  804   a,    804   b  is dosed with a plug (not depicted). Additionally, or alternatively, an adapter (not depicted) may be used to connect the air tube  840  with either ends  804   a,    804   b  of the tubular body  802 , and the head gear  830  to the tubular body  802  as well. When the cannula body  810  is connected to the air tube  840 , the hollow space  815  may serve as an air conduit allowing the stream of gas (e.g., supplied from the gas supply unit  103  via the supply conduit  105  depicted in  FIG. 1 ) to pass the cannula body  800  and enters the user&#39;s nostrils. Additionally, or alternatively, the side of the annular body  810  that is substantially longer further comprises two blocking tabs respectively formed at each ends of the wing to help secure the head gear in place. 
     The nasal joint tube  816  in this embodiment may be same as that described above in Sections 2.1, thus is not repeated here for the sake of brevity. As to the head gear  830 , its components are substantially same as those described in Section 2.2, except in this embodiment, during assembling, the fastener of one of the two supporters may be coupled to a first adapter, then to a plug, which is used to close the end of the tubular body  802  not connected to the air tube  840 ; while the fastener of the other over-ear supporter may be coupled to a second adapter, in which one end of the second adapter is inserted into another open end of the tubular body  802 , while the other end of the second adapter is connected to the air tube  840 , thereby completes the assembling of the cannula device of this embodiment. 
     It will be understood that the above description of embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those with ordinary skill in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although various embodiments of the invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those with ordinary skill in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.