Patent Application
20120097157
The present invention relates generally to assisted breathing systems, and more particularly to apparatus, systems, and methods for securing a breathing tube to an arm.
Systems for assisting with the work of breathing are widely used for treating patients with respiratory ailments. Such breathing systems generally include a source of air that is delivered to a patient via a breathing tube. The end of the breathing tube may include a patient interface (such as a breathing mask) to provide air to the patient.
Assisted breathing systems are often used when a patient is sleeping. For example, nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a common treatment for patients suffering from sleep apnea. An important factor in effective CPAP therapy is ensuring that there is no discomfort or leakage between the patient and the patient interface. However, these problems may arise due to a patient's movement while asleep. Accordingly, improvements are desired for effective assisted breathing treatment.
The present invention is embodied in methods, systems, and apparatus for securing a breathing tube to a user.
An exemplary apparatus is directed to an armband for securing a breathing tube to a user. The armband includes a strap sized to encircle the arm of the user, a connecting element coupled to the strap to secure the strap around the arm of the user, and at least one loop coupled to the strap, the loop configured to receive the breathing tube and secure the breathing tube to the arm of the user.
An exemplary system is directed to a system for assisting a user with the work of breathing. The system includes a source of breathing air, a breathing tube having a first end and a second end with the first end coupled to the source of breathing air, a patient interface coupled to the second end of the breathing tube to provide the breathing air to the user, and the armband described above.
An exemplary method is directed to securing a breathing tube to a user. The method includes encircling the arm of the user with a strap, securing the strap around the arm of the user with a connecting element, and attaching the breathing tube to the arm of the user.
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 are broadly usable with systems designed to assist a patient with the work of breathing. Appropriate assisted breathing systems include a breathing tube configured to deliver breathing gas to a patient. The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are particularly suitable for use with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) breathing systems. Suitable CPAP systems for use with the present invention will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.
The exemplary apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein are also broadly usable in conjunction with respiratory treatment for patients at any time. However, the exemplary embodiments of the invention are particularly suitable for use with patients during sleep. As set forth herein, the disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods may enable sleeping patients to comfortably and properly receive respiratory treatment despite movements during sleep. Suitable respiratory treatments that will benefit from utilizing aspects of the present invention will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.
Referring now to the drawings,
Strap 110 is configured to encircle the arm of a user. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-6, strap 110 is long enough to wrap all of the way around the upper arm of a user. Strap 110 may be formed from flexible fabric or other similar material that is stretchable or elastic. Suitable materials for strap 110 include, for example, rubber, elastomeric material, a natural fiber such as cotton or wool, a natural fiber blend, nylon, polypropylene, Velcro, breathe-o-prene, felt, foam, etc. Other suitable materials will be understood by one of skill in the art from the description herein.
Connecting element 120 is coupled to strap 110. Connecting element 120 secures strap 110 in place around the arm of a user. In an exemplary embodiment, connecting element 120 includes a buckle 122 having a slot for receiving strap 110, as shown in
While connecting element 120 is illustrated as a buckle 122, it is not so limited. In alternative embodiments, connecting element 120 may comprise buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, a ratchet, or any other suitable structures adapted to secure strap 110 in place on the user's arm. In one embodiment, connecting element 120 may be an inflatable system that secures strap 110 in place through the inflation of one or more bladders located within the strap 110 or on a surface of the strap 110 adjacent the arm of the user. Further, connecting element 120 may comprise more than one of the above-mentioned connecting elements to provide a reliable connection. For example, as shown in
It is further contemplated that strap 110 may comprise elastic material. Accordingly, strap 110 may be securable around the arm of the user by elastic contraction of the strap itself. In this embodiment, connecting element 120 may be omitted from armband 100.
At least one loop 130 is coupled to strap 110. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7-9, loop 130 is configured to receive breathing tube 50 and secure breathing tube 50 to the arm of the user. Loop 130 may be formed from a flexible or elastic cord, rope, band, or other similar material. Suitable materials for loop 130 include, for example, nylon.
In an exemplary embodiment, loop 130 comprises a flexible drawstring including a clasp 132, as shown in
While the at least one loop 130 may be integrally formed or sewn into the strap, it is desirable that the at least one loop 130 be releasably coupled to strap 110. To this end, a fastener 140 may be coupled to the loop 130 that is configured to releasably couple loop 130 to strap 110. In an exemplary embodiment, fastener 140 comprises a patch 142 including a hook or loop connector 144, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7-9. The patch 142 may be affixed to a portion of strap 110 having a loop or hook connector (not shown) corresponding to the hook or loop connector 144, thereby coupling loop 130 to strap 110. By releasably coupling loop 130 to strap 110, a user of armband 100 may be enabled to leave the proximity of the breathing tube 50 (and the associated assisted breathing system) without having to first remove breathing tube 50 from loop 130. This may be particularly useful when the user must quickly or briefly leave his or her bed (or the vicinity of the assisted breathing system) during respiratory treatment.
While fastener 140 is illustrated as a patch including a hook and/or loop connector 144, it is not so limited. In alternative embodiments, fastener 140 may comprise buttons, snaps, and/or any other suitable fasteners adapted to releasably couple loop 130 to strap 110.
Source 210 provides breathing air for a patient. In an exemplary embodiment, breathing air source 210 is a conventional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Other suitable sources of breathing air 210 will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.
Breathing tube 220 delivers air from the breathing air source 210 to the patient. Breathing tube 220 has a first end 222 that is coupled to the source of breathing air 210 and a second end 224. Breathing air produced by source 210 is received into the first end 222 of breathing tube 220. The breathing air may be transmitted through breathing tube 220, for example, by pressure applied by breathing air source 210 and/or by inhalation by the patient. Suitable breathing tubes will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.
Patient interface 230 is coupled to the second end 224 of breathing tube 220. Patient interface 230 is configured to provide the breathing air transmitted through breathing tube 220 to the user. Patient interface 230 may be disconnected from breathing tube 220 at the second end 224 to allow the user to quickly leave the bed and breathing device, for example, without removing the patient interface 230. Additionally, patient interface 230 may be easily connectable to the breathing tube 220 to facilitate reconnection, e.g., upon return to the bed and breathing device. In an exemplary embodiment, patient interface 230 is a CPAP breathing mask. Alternatively, patient interface 230 may be a nasal cannula. Other suitable patient interfaces will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein.
Armband 240 encircles the arm of the user of system 200. Armband 240 is an armband substantially as described above with respect to armband 100. Armband 240 is adapted to receive the breathing tube 220 and secure the breathing tube 220 to the arm of the user. As described above, armband 240 includes a loop configured to receive breathing tube 220 and secure breathing tube 220 in place adjacent the user's arm. The loop may be adjustable in size and releasably coupled to armband 240, substantially as described above.
In step 310, a strap is encircled around the arm of a user. In an exemplary embodiment, strap 110 is encircled around the arm of the user. The user may personally encircle strap 110 around his or her arm, or a care provider may encircle strap 110 around the user's arm. Armband 100 is desirably placed around the user's upper arm, in order to be proximate the user's airways, which, in turn may be used to positions the breathing tube 50/220 proximate the user's airways. Additionally, armband 100 is desirably placed around the arm of the user closest to the source of breathing air.
In step 320, the strap is secured around the user's arm with a connecting element. In an exemplary embodiment, strap 110 is secured to the arm of the user with connecting element 120. As stated above, the user may personally secure strap 110 to his or her arm, or a care provider may secure strap 110 to the user's arm with connecting element 120.
In step 330, the breathing tube is attached to the strap. In an exemplary embodiment, breathing tube 50 is passed through the at least one loop 130. Loop 130 may be coupled to strap 110 in order to secure breathing tube 50 to the user's arm Where loop 130 is releasably coupled as described above, loop 130 may be coupled to strap 110 before or after breathing tube 50 is passed through loop 130.
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 outlined below.
Method 300 may further comprise the step of adjusting a size of the at least one loop to prevent movement of the breathing tube within the loop. In an exemplary embodiment, a size of loop 130 may be adjusted by sliding clasp 132. For example, the user or a care provider may slide clasp 132 to decrease the size of the opening of loop 130, thereby preventing breathing tube 50 from moving when breathing tube 50 is received within loop 130. When breathing tube 50 is so secured, it may be desirable to allow breathing tube 50 a measure of slack between the armband 100 and the user's airways. This may be important to accommodate any relative movement between the user's face and arm during respiratory treatment without pulling breathing tube 50 away from the user's face.
Additionally, method 300 may comprise the step of detaching the at least one loop from the strap. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one loop 130 may be releasably coupled to strap 110 with fastener 140. The user or a care provider may detach loop 130 from strap 110 by disconnecting the fastener 140 from the strap 110. As stated above, this may be particularly useful when the user must quickly or briefly leave his or her bed (or the vicinity of the assisted breathing system) during respiratory treatment.
The exemplary apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may provide advantages over conventional assisted breathing systems as set forth below. In conventional assisted breathing systems, the attachment of the breathing tube to the source of breathing air may cause a pulling or tugging force to be exerted on the patient interface. This may lead to discomfort or leaks between the patient interface and the user. Through using the armband of the present invention, the pulling or tugging force may be prevented or displaced to the user's arm, while a comfortable, leak-free engagement is maintained between the user's face and the patient interface.
Further, the exemplary apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may be particularly advantageous for patients receiving respiratory therapy during sleep. In general, a patient may move or change positions in bed, which can generate a pulling or tugging force on the patient interface. By employing the armband of the present invention, the patient may be free to move normally during sleep, without forces being exerted upon the patient interface.
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.
