Patent Application
20120125332
The present invention relates generally to respiratory therapy, and more particularly to nasal cannulas.
Conventional respiratory therapy involves administering either a flow of breathing gas or a medicament to a patient's respiratory system.
To administer a flow of breathing gas, nasal cannulas are often used. A nasal cannula provides breathing gases directly to a user's respiratory system via nasal inhalation. A nasal cannula typically includes two prongs, with each prong inserted into a respective nostril during use. The nasal cannula may be retained during use by looping tubing attached to the cannula over the user's ears and drawing the tubing tight under the user's chin. A conventional nasal cannula is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2008/0121230 A1.
To administer a drug to the user's respiratory system, nebulizers are generally used. A nebulizer converts a conventional liquid medicament into a fine mist for inhalation by a patient. The mist may include a medicament for delivery to the respiratory tract of the patient.
Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for respiratory therapy are desired.
Aspects of the present invention are directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for administering respiratory therapy.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a nasal cannula for administering respiratory therapy to a user is disclosed. The cannula comprises a first supply tube, a second supply tube, a cannula body, first and second nasal prongs, a first flow path, and a second flow path. The first supply tube has a first inlet to receive a first flow from a first flow source and a first outlet. The second supply tube has a second inlet to receive a second flow from a second flow source and a second outlet distinct from the first inlet and the first outlet, respectively. The cannula body has first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the first outlet and the second end is coupled to the second outlet. The first and second nasal prongs extend from the cannula body. The first flow path extends from the first supply tube through the cannula body to the first nasal prong to deliver at least a portion of the first flow through the first nasal prong. The second flow path extends from the second supply tube through the cannula body to the second nasal prong to deliver at least a portion of the second flow through the second nasal prong.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system for administering respiratory therapy to a user is disclosed. The system comprises the above-described nasal cannula, a first flow source, and a second flow source.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for administering respiratory therapy to a user is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of positioning the above-described nasal cannula on a user such that the first and second nasal prongs are positioned in respective nostrils of the user, providing a flow of heated and humidified gas along the first flow path; and providing a flow of aerosolized medicament separate from the flow of heated and humidified gas along the second flow path.
The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, with like elements having the same reference numerals. When a plurality of similar elements are present, a single reference numeral may be assigned to the plurality of similar elements with a small letter designation referring to specific elements. When referring to the elements collectively or to a non-specific one or more of the elements, the small letter designation may be dropped. This emphasizes that according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features may be expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures:
The exemplary apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein relate to a dual-inlet nasal cannula. The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are usable, for example, to deliver high-flow heated and humidified gas and an aerosolized medicament simultaneously to promote respiratory therapy.
Referring now to the drawings,
Supply tube 110 is an elongated hollow lumen. As shown in
Supply tube 120 is also an elongated hollow lumen, substantially as described above with respect to supply tube 110. As shown in
Supply tubes 110 and 120 may further include connectors 116 and 126, respectively. As shown in
Cannula body 130 is coupled to supply tubes 110 and 120. Cannula body 130 has ends 132 and 134. End 132 of cannula body 130 is coupled to receive a flow from outlet 114 of first supply tube 110. End 134 of cannula body 130 is coupled to receive a flow from outlet 124 of second supply tube 120.
Cannula body 130 includes nasal prongs 136 and 138 extending from cannula body 130, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, cannula body 130 comprises a tubular portion 140, as shown in
The above components of nasal cannula 100 define a first flow path 142 and a second flow path 144 distinct from the first flow path. First flow path 142 extends from first supply tube 110 through cannula body 130 to first nasal prong 136. Second flow path 144 extends from second supply tube 120 through cannula body 130 to second nasal prong 138.
It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that flow paths 142 and 144 are not limited to the above-defined destinations. Cannula body 130 may optionally include a septum 146. In an exemplary embodiment, septum 146 comprises a wall formed in the internal portion of cannula body 130, as shown in dashed lines in
Where cannula body 130 does not include a septum, each of the nasal prongs 136 and 138 will be in fluid communication with both of the supply tubes 110 and 120. Thus, first flow path 142 may extend to both nasal prongs 136 and 138, and second flow path 144 may also extend to both nasal prongs 136 and 138. This may be desirable in order to enable each nostril to receive a mixed flow from both sources. This may further enable flows to be delivered to each nostril at the same concentration, and/or at the same temperature.
Conversely, where cannula body 130 includes septum 146, septum 146 blocks fluid communication between supply tube 110 and nasal prong 138, and between supply tube 120 and nasal prong 136. Thus, septum 146 blocks first flow path 142 from extending to nasal prong 138, and blocks second flow path 144 from extending to nasal prong 136. Septum 146 may be desirable so that a flow to one nasal prong 136 that has a relatively high back-pressure will not stop or slow a flow to the other nasal prong 138 that has a relatively low back-pressure. This may further prevent a change in temperature of one of the flows through contact with the other, thereby minimizing condensation build up in the body of the nasal cannula and avoiding the delivery of liquid droplets into the user's nose.
It will be understood that nasal cannula 100 is not limited to the above components, but may include additional or alternative components, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, nasal cannula 100 may include a draw cuff 148 for keeping supply tubes 110 and 120 together and in place when nasal cannula 100 is worn by the user.
Nasal cannula 210 is a nasal cannula substantially as described with respect to exemplary nasal cannula 100. Nasal cannula 210 includes supply tubes 212 and 214. Supply tubes 212 and 214 may further include connectors 116 and 126, respectively. As shown in
Source 220 generates heated and humidified gas. Source 220 is coupled to provide heated and humidified gas to the inlet of supply tube 212. In an exemplary embodiment, source 220 may include a delivery tube 222, as shown in
Source 230 generates aerosolized medicament. Source 230 is coupled to provide the aerosolized medicament to the inlet of supply tube 214. In an exemplary embodiment, source 230 may include a corrugated tube 232, as shown in
Nasal cannula 210 may optionally include a septum, as described above with respect to nasal cannula 100. Where nasal cannula 210 does not include a septum, then each flow path in cannula 210 may extend to both nasal prongs of cannula 210. Thus, the nasal prongs of nasal cannula 210 may receive both the heated and humidified gas from source 220 and the aerosolized medicament from source 230. Where nasal cannula 210 includes a septum, then each flow path in cannula 210 extends to only the proximate nasal prong of cannula 210. Thus, one nasal prong of nasal cannula 210 may receive the heated and humidified gas from source 220, and the other nasal prong of nasal cannula 210 may receive the aerosolized medicament from source 230.
While source 220 is described as providing heated and humidified gas, and source 230 is described as providing aerosolized medicament, it will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that these sources are not so limited. Other flows that may be provided by sources 220 and 230 include, for example, sources of gas such as heliox, inhaled nitric oxide (INO), 100% oxygen, room air, and/or air-oxygen mix.
In step 310, a nasal cannula is positioned on a user. In an exemplary embodiment, nasal cannula 210 is positioned on a user such that first and second nasal prongs are positioned in the nostrils of the user. For example, the user may position the nasal cannula 210 on his or herself. Alternatively, a care provider may position the nasal cannula 210 on the user. Nasal cannula 210 may be worn by placing supply tubes 212 and 214 over each ear of the user, and may be secured under the chin to fit comfortably relative to the nose of a user. The process for positioning a nasal cannula on a user will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.
In step 320, a flow of heated and humidified gas is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, source 220 of heated and humidified gas is provided to the supply tube 212 and along the first flow path of nasal cannulas 210. As stated above, nasal cannula 210 may include a connector 216 coupled to the inlet of supply tube 212. Thus, step 320 may comprise coupling source 220 to connector 216 of nasal cannula 210.
In step 330, a flow of aerosolized medicament is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, source 230 of aerosolized medicament is provided to the supply tube 214 and along the second flow path of nasal cannula 210. The flow of aerosolized medicament from source 230 is provided separately from the flow of heated and humidified gas from source 220. As stated above, nasal cannula 210 may include a connector 218 coupled to the inlet of supply tube 214. Thus, step 330 may comprise coupling source 230 to connector 218 of nasal cannula 210. It may be particularly desirable that steps 320 and 330 be performed simultaneously.
It will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that method 300 is not limited to the above steps. Method 300 may include additional or alternative steps. Examples of such steps are provided below.
Nasal cannula 210 may optionally include a septum, as described above with respect to nasal cannula 100. Where nasal cannula 210 does not include a septum, method 300 may include the step of providing both the flow of heated and humidified gas and the flow of aerosolized medicament to each of the nasal prongs of nasal cannula 210. Where nasal cannula 210 includes a septum, method 300 may include the step of providing the flow of heated and humidified gas to a first nasal prong of nasal cannula 210 and providing the flow of aerosolized medicament to the second nasal prong of nasal cannula 210.
The exemplary apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may provide advantages over conventional respiratory therapy as set forth below. Conventional respiratory therapy systems were not previously able to deliver warm aerosolized medication combined with a continuous high flow supplemental heated humidified breathing gas via a nasal cannula. Such combined therapy of warm aerosolized medicaments and high flow therapy for patients experiencing stressful respiratory episodes in acute respiratory compromise may prove a comfortable, safe and effective technique in decreasing bronchial responsiveness while maintaining delivery of high FiO2 to improve oxygen saturation level and decrease the work of breathing.
The exemplary cannula described herein is operable to deliver airflow simultaneously from two different gas sources for inhalation therapy. The dual inlet cannula prevents the high gas pressure of the heated and humidified gas source from overcoming, and as a result significantly slowing or completely cutting off, the medicament from the aerosolized medicament source.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/415,477, entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR RESPIRATORY THERAPY,” filed on Nov. 19, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61415477 | Nov 2010 | US |
