A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
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The present disclosure relates generally to medical breathing treatment devices such as oxygen breathing treatment devices and medical nebulizer devices which can deliver oxygen or medication in atomized, aerosol, or mist form as a breathing treatment, the patient breathing in the oxygen or atomized spray during treatment. Such treatments are known to be effective in treating a variety of medical conditions including but not limited to asthma and other respiratory conditions.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates to breathing treatment devices including medical nebulizer devices for patients who are intimidated or panicked by medical breathing treatments including but not limited to children or younger patients. Conventional breathing treatment devices can be connected to a mask worn by the patient, the patient breathing in the atomized spray or mist from the mask directly into the lungs. In other embodiments, a mouthpiece can be connected to the nebulizer, the atomized spray being delivered via the mouthpiece during treatment. A patient would insert the mouthpiece into their mouth and breathe in the treatment directly into the patient's lungs.
Such conventional methods can be sufficient for some patients. However, many younger patients such as children, as well as adult patients who become anxious or panicked by breathing treatments, can be intimidated by a mask that is placed on their face or a mouthpiece inserted into their mouth. Such patients can resist treatment, and often remove the mask or the mouthpiece during treatment. Removal of the delivery device for the atomized medication from the patient's face or mouth can decrease the efficiency and effectiveness of the treatment as medication or oxygen is wasted and not delivered to the patient if the delivery device is removed from the patient's face and mouth.
What is needed then are improvements to medical nebulizer devices.
This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
One aspect of the present disclosure is a breathing treatment delivery device for providing atomized medicine or oxygen to a patient. The breathing treatment delivery device can include a supply device configured to dispense atomized medicine or oxygen through a dispensing end of the supply device. A cap can have a device side and a delivery side, the device side including an opening receiving and in fluid communication with the dispensing end of the supply device. A treat holder can be positioned on the delivery side of the cap. At least one aperture can be defined in the delivery side of the cap adjacent the treat holder, a pneumatic passage formed through the cap between the opening in the device side of the cap and the aperture.
During treatment, a patient can place a candy, edible item, or other treat in the treat holder and place the item into the patient's mouth. As the patient sucks on or eats the candy, the patient will breathe in the atomized medicine or oxygen treatment to deliver the medicine or oxygen to the patient's lungs. The candy or treat can provide a distraction to the patient, which helps remove the intimidating environment associated with conventional masks and mouthpiece devices. The candy can help effectively distract the patient while the breathing treatment is properly delivered.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is a cap for a breathing treatment device having a breathing device side and a delivery side, the breathing device side receivable on the breathing treatment device. The cap can include a candy holder that includes a candy holder recess open to the delivery side of the cap in some embodiments. At least one aperture is defined on the delivery side of the cap, the aperture fluidly communicating the breathing device side of the cap with the delivery side of the cap.
The cap can be utilized to provide a patient, such as a child, with a treat, candy or other edible item such as a sucker, lollipop, etc., to suck on and eat during treatment. The presence of the candy on the cap of the nebulizer can provide a distraction and/or reward to the patient, which can make the treatment less intimidating and can encourage proper administration of the breathing treatment to the patient. During treatment, a patient can place the candy in the patient's mouth such that the patient's nose and mouth are positioned proximate to the one or more apertures in the cap where the atomized spray is emitted. As such, an effective pass by or blow by treatment of atomized medicine can be delivered to the patient as the patient is sucking on and distracted by the candy on the cap of the nebulizer.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is a breathing treatment device for delivery of a medicine to a patient, the device including a nebulizer having a pneumatic end, a dispensing end, and a medicine reservoir positioned between the pneumatic end and the dispensing end, the medicine receivable in the medicine reservoir. The nebulizer can be configured to receive pressurized gas through the pneumatic end of the nebulizer, the pressurized gas atomizing the medicine contained in the medicine reservoir to emit an atomized medicine spray through the dispensing end of the nebulizer. A cap can be disposed on the dispensing end of the nebulizer, the cap including a nebulizer side and a delivery side, the nebulizer side disposed on the dispensing end of the nebulizer. A treat holder can be disposed on the delivery side of the cap, the candy holder including a treat holder recess in some embodiments. At least one aperture is defined in the base, the aperture fluidly communicating the nebulizer side of the cap with the delivery side of the cap to emit the atomized spray from the nebulizer through the at least one aperture.
Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the following drawings and description of a preferred embodiment.
Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using the terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a device that can deliver up to several liters of oxygen per minute as well as deliver nebulized breathing medications, including but not limited to albuterol or other respiratory medications, via a standard nebulizer is disclosed.
The devices of the present disclosure may be considered a “delivery” device, and varying dosages of any particular medication. The devices of the present disclosure can deliver a desired dosage for a breathing medication and/or oxygen that is ordered by a physician and can be used for patients such as children who panic at the sight of medicine being delivered through a mask or mouth piece delivery device directly.
In some embodiments, the delivery device can allow for self-administration of the medication and/or oxygen by a child, while the child is enjoying an edible item such as a candy, sucker or lollipop positioned on the device. Many physicians order what is called “blow-by” oxygen and breathing medications, which simply means that the oxygen or medication is to be passed or blown within a very close proximity of the child's face. With the devices of the present disclosure, this is achieved very easily by having the patient lick or suck on the candy or lollipop to maintain the device near the face of the patient as atomized medicine spray or oxygen is delivered via the delivery device. In some embodiments, the delivery of oxygen or medication is not predicated on the candy or lollipop being licked or positioned in the patient's mouth.
In some embodiments, each device can be designed for single patient use only. Once the breathing medication or oxygen has been delivered as ordered, the delivery device can be discarded into the trash or otherwise disposed of. In other embodiments, the device can be cleanable and reusable with a new candy or edible item swapped out between uses. The device can include an edible item or candy such as a sucker, lollipop, or other item can require a considerable amount of time to eat or dissolve. As such, the patient will be encouraged to eat or suck on the candy or other edible item for an extended period of time to help ensure a proper dosage or amount of medication and/or oxygen is delivered during the breathing treatment. The candy can be manufactured in a variety of flavors, shapes, sizes, etc.
One embodiment of a breathing device is shown in
The hollow base 1 and the candy 4 can generally form various candy, sucker, or lollipop shapes, as shown in
Another embodiment of a breathing treatment delivery device 10 is shown in
A treat holder, edible item holder, or candy holder 36 can be disposed on the cap 30 and be accessible from the delivery side 34 of the cap 30. The candy holder 36 can be configured to receive or retain a candy or other edible item 38, the edible item 38 extending outward from the delivery side 34 of the cap 30. In some embodiments, the cap 30 can include a base 31, the candy holder 36 disposed on the base 31. In some embodiments, the candy holder 36 can extend outward from the base 31 toward the delivery side 34 of the cap 30. In other embodiments, the candy holder 36 can be positioned within the base 31 and can terminate at a delivery side of the base 31. In some embodiments, as shown in
In other embodiments, the candy holder 36 can be any suitable structure capable of receiving or being received in the edible item or candy 38. For instance in some embodiments, the candy holder 36 can be a protrusion which can extend outward from the delivery side 34 of the cap 30 and into a recess in the candy 38 to retain the candy 38 on the candy holder 36, such that the candy holder 36 effectively forms a stick for the candy 38. In some embodiments, the candy 38 can be integrally formed or molded onto the candy holder 36 of the cap 30, while in other embodiments, the candy 38 can be manufactured separately from the cap 30 and the candy holder 36, and the candy 38 can be installed on the candy holder 36 by a medical provider or by the patient themselves prior to treatment.
One or more apertures 50 can be defined in the delivery side 34 of the cap 30. The apertures 50 can fluidly communicate the breathing device side 32 of the cap 30 with the delivery side 34 of the cap 50, a pneumatic passage 51 can be formed between an opening 53 in the cap 30 and the one or more apertures 50, to allow passage of atomized medicine or oxygen from the supply device 14 out of the cap 30. In some embodiments, the apertures 50 can be defined in the base 31 of the cap 30. The apertures 50 can direct the atomized medicine or oxygen emitted by the breathing treatment delivery device 14 toward the patient's mouth or nose when the patient positions the edible item or candy 38 in the patient's mouth.
As such, a pass by breathing treatment can be delivered to the patient through the cap 30 while the patient enjoys the edible item or candy 38 positioned on the candy holder 36. The natural breathing of the patient while enjoying the candy 38 can cause the patient to breath in deeply to enhance the intake of the medicine or oxygen by the patient. In other embodiments, the patient can be instructed to follow a breathing protocol, for instance periodically taking deep breaths through the mouth or nose with the edible item 38 positioned in the patient's mouth.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
A detailed cross section view of a breathing treatment device 10 is shown in
The nebulizer device 14 in some embodiments can include a base portion 22 and a top portion 24. A lower floor 26 of the base portion 22 can have a tapered or frustrated conical shape in some embodiments. The base portion 22 can define a medicine reservoir 27 which can be configured to receive and hold liquid medicine. A pneumatic pathway 25 can extend up and through a center of the lower floor 26 of the base portion 22 and generally through the medicine reservoir 27. A cover member 28 can be positioned over the lower floor 26 of the base portion 22. The cover member 28 can have a tapered or frustrated conical shape that corresponds to the lower floor 26 of the base portion 22 and can be spaced from the lower floor 26 of the base portion 22 such that a medicine channel 29 is formed between the lower floor 26 of the base portion 22 and the cover member 28. The cover member 28 can include a central opening which aligns with the pneumatic pathway 25 such that the pneumatic pathway 25 can pass through the lower floor 26 of the base portion 22 and the cover member 28 when the cover member 28 is positioned over the lower floor 26. The opening in the cover member 28 and the pneumatic pathway 25 can define a path through the cover member 28 and the lower floor 26 of the base portion 22 for gases from the pneumatic line 20 to pass.
Liquid medicine 60 can be poured into the base portion 22 such that the medicine partially fills the base portion 22 and is contained below the opening in the cover member 28 and generally below the upper end of the pneumatic pathway 25 in the lower floor 26 of the base portion 22. The medicine channel 29 can be open to the pneumatic pathway 25 such that as gas flows from the pneumatic line 20 and through the pneumatic pathway 25, a negative pressure is produced within the channel which draws medicine 60 from within the medicine reservoir 27 up the medicine channel 29 toward the pneumatic passage 25. As the medicine 60 interacts with gas flowing through the pneumatic passage 25, the medicine 60 can become atomized and be emitted from the nebulizer as an atomized spray 62. In some embodiments, the nebulizer 14 can include a baffle 65 positioned above the pneumatic pathway 25 and generally between the pneumatic pathway 25 and the dispensing end 18 of the nebulizer. The baffle 65 can help liquid medicine further interact with pressurized gas or air passing through the pneumatic pathway 25 to continue atomizing any remaining liquid medicine in the atomized spray 62 or further atomize or reduce the size of medicine particles in the atomized spray 62.
The top portion 24 of the nebulizer device 14 can be positioned on and secured to the base portion 22 by way of an interference or a threaded interaction. The top portion 24 can have an exit channel 64 through which atomized spray 62 can be emitted from the nebulizer device 14. The cap 30 can be positioned on and can receive the exit channel 64 such that atomized spray 62 exiting or emitted by the nebulizer device 14 can be routed through the cap 30. The atomized spray 62 can pass through the apertures 50 and around the candy holder 36 and candy 38 positioned therein. As shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
The flavor capsules 70 can be formed in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. In some embodiments, the flavor capsules 70 can match the flavor of the treat, edible item or candy 38 placed in the cap 30 such that medicine can help supplement the flavor of the edible item.
In some embodiments, the flavor capsules 70 can be individually packaged and provided separately from the nebulizer device 14. A patient or physician can remove the flavor capsule 70 from the packaging and place the flavor capsule 70 within the nebulizer device 14 before or after the liquid medicine is introduced into the nebulizer device 14. In other embodiments, the nebulizer device 14 can be prepackaged with the flavor capsule 70. A manufacturer can place a flavor capsule 70 within the nebulizer device 14 with the base portion 22 and the top portion 24 of the nebulizer device 14 secured together. The flavor capsule 70 can be hermetically sealed within the nebulizer device 14 to help prevent the flavor capsule 70 from spoiling or deteriorating over time. In some embodiments, a first heat sealed film 72 can be positioned over the exit channel 64 in the top portion 24 of the nebulizer device 14, and a second heat sealed film 74 can be positioned over a lower end of the pneumatic passage 25 in the lower floor 26 of the base portion 22. As such, the nebulizer device 14 can be sealed at both ends by respective heat sealed films or other suitable sealed protective layers to hermitically seal the flavor capsule 70 within the nebulizer device 14. In some embodiments, a gasket can be positioned at the interface between the top portion 24 and the base portion 22 of the nebulizer device 14 such that as the top portion 24 is secured to the base portion 22, a seal can be formed between the top portion 24 and the base portion 22 of the nebulizer device 14 to provide additional sealing protection for the flavor capsule 70 within the nebulizer device 14.
During use, the first and second films 72 and 74 can be removed, a pneumatic line can be connected to the pneumatic pathway 25, and medicine can be poured into the base portion 22 of the nebulizer device 14 to dissolve the flavor capsule 70 prior to atomization of the medicine.
Although some embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.
Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful BREATHING DEVICE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention.
This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/571,325 filed Oct. 12, 2017 entitled DEVICE FOR MEDICAL BREATHING TREATMENT, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62571325 | Oct 2017 | US |