Patent Application
20250127318
The present invention generally relates to the field of beverage or liquid straws. More specifically, the present invention relates to a relatively shorter straw available in lengths from about 3 inches to about 7 inches (i.e., 4, 5.5, and 6.5 inches). The straw features a flexible bend to assist with suctioning liquids through the straw. The shorter straws offer maximum fluid intake for those with trouble swallowing. In use, the straw is placed in a beverage or liquid and angled toward the user's mouth to drink. The straw reduces mouth muscle strain helping a user to pull liquid through a short straw. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, dysphagia is a medical condition characterized by impaired, compromised, and/or painful swallowing, or impaired muscle control with the face, mouth, and/or lips, making the process of moving food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach difficult and challenging. Dysphagia can occur due to different reasons, including neurological disorders, stroke, muscular deficiencies, and structural abnormalities within the throat and esophagus. Dysphagia is usually caused by another health condition, such as a condition that affects the nervous system, for example, a stroke, head injury, dementia, cancer (i.e., mouth cancer or esophageal cancer), or gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) where stomach acid leaks back up into the esophagus. Individuals affected by dysphagia or other mouth/face afflictions often face difficulties in effectively managing their hydration and nutritional intake. Dysphagia can prolong the time it takes to swallow even a small amount of food or liquid. The increased effort and time expenditure can lead to fatigue, dehydration, weight loss, and discomfort during mealtimes.
One of the challenges faced by individuals with dysphagia is the use of a straw. Existing straws are typically long and stiff, which can be difficult for people with dysphagia to control and use. Long straws can also put strain on the muscles of the mouth and throat. Conventional straws are also not bendable as per the desire of individuals. As a result, many people with dysphagia are unable to use a straw independently. This can make it difficult for such individuals to drink liquids, which can lead to dehydration and other health problems. Individuals with dysphagia desire an improved and customized straw which is ideal for people with dysphagia to use independently.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a straw designed for individuals with dysphagia. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel straw that is shorter than conventional straws and can be bent for easy accessibility into the mouth of a user. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disposable straw that puts less strain and pressure in the mouth of a user while pulling a liquid or beverage from a container. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disposable straw for individuals with dysphagia that has a bendable section that enables individuals to position the straw comfortably in their mouth. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a straw that can be used with all types of beverages and can come in different sizes to use with different sizes of containers. Also, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shorter and bendable straw that reduces mouth muscle strain ensuring a user with dysphagia can pull liquid or beverage therethrough. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disposable straw that helps keep people with dysphagia happy by being able to enjoy their favorite beverages independently.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a disposable dysphagia straw for assisting individuals with dysphagia in consuming fluids comfortably and safely. The straw includes a hollow tubular pipe having a proximal end and a distal end. A bendable section is positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, the bendable section consists of a plurality of accordion-like folds. An upper section extends between the top end of the bendable section and the proximal end and is capable of relative movement with respect to a lower section which extends between the bottom end of the bendable section and the distal end. The straw is shorter than the conventional straws and can be one of, for example, 4 inches, 5.5 inches and 6.5 inches. In use, the straw is put in a beverage or liquid and the proximal end is kept in the mouth enabling the individual to easily pull the beverage or fluid without much strain and effort.
In this manner, the disposable dysphagia straw of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a straw that is shorter than conventional straws and is easier to control. The bendable section enables people with dysphagia to position one end of the straw comfortably in their mouth to drink liquids independently and without difficulty. The straw helps to improve the hydration status and overall quality of life of people with dysphagia.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a disposable dysphagia straw for assisting individuals with dysphagia in consuming fluids and beverages comfortably and safely. The straw comprising a hollow tubular pipe having a proximal end and a distal end. A bendable section is positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, the bendable section consists of a plurality of accordion-like folds. An upper section extends between the top end of the bendable section and the proximal end and is capable of relative movement with respect to a lower section which extends between the bottom end of the bendable section and the distal end.
In yet another embodiment, the bendable section provides a user-friendly interface that enables individuals with dysphagia to shape the straw to their preferred angle, ensuring convenient and safe fluid intake without straining the individuals.
In yet another embodiment, a method for using a disposable dysphagia straw to facilitate the consumption of a beverage or liquid from a container is described. The method comprising the steps of providing the straw, the straw has a hollow tubular pipe having a proximal end and a distal end, a bendable section located between the proximal end and the distal end, the bendable section consisting of a plurality of accordion-like folds. The method further includes placing the distal end into a beverage or liquid stored in a container, angling an upper section of the disposable dysphagia straw towards the user's mouth, utilizing the bendable section to enable smooth movement of the upper section relative to a lower section, placing the proximal end towards the back of the user's tongue and pulling the beverage through the hollow pipe without requiring significant force or strength. The upper section extends between the bendable section and the proximal end and the lower section extends between the bendable section and the distal end.
In yet another aspect, a beverage or liquid straw for individuals with dysphagia is disclosed. The straw includes a hollow cylindrical pipe of, for example, 5.5 inches extending between a proximal end and a distal end, a bendable section on the straw with accordion-like folds, helical coils, or spiral springs enabling an upper section to move relative to a lower section of the straw, and a mouthpiece is integrated at the proximal end, the mouthpiece tailored to a user's oral anatomy, providing a comfortable and secure fit during use, particularly for individuals with dysphagia.
In another aspect of the present invention, the upper section of the disposable dysphagia straw is configured to provide vibrations that stimulate the user's throat muscles, promoting muscle strength and enhancing swallowing function over time.
In yet another aspect, the disposable dysphagia straw is constructed from biocompatible, medical-grade materials that are safe for use with a wide range of beverages and are environmentally friendly, with the materials being recyclable and sustainable.
In another embodiment, the GSM of the disposable dysphagia straw is between 100 and 400 GSM to meet requirements of different users.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a straw designed for individuals with dysphagia. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel straw that is shorter than conventional straws and can be bent for easy accessibility into the mouth of a user. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disposable straw that puts less strain and pressure in the mouth of a user while pulling a beverage or liquid from a container. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disposable straw for individuals with dysphagia that has a bendable section that enables individuals to position the straw comfortably in their mouth. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a straw that can be used with all types of beverages and can come in different sizes to use with different sizes of containers. Also, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shorter and bendable straw that reduces mouth muscle strain ensuring a user with dysphagia can pull liquid or beverage therethrough. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a disposable straw that helps keep people with dysphagia content by being able to enjoy their favorite beverages independently.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method for using a disposable dysphagia straw to facilitate the consumption of a beverage or liquid from a container is described. The method comprising the steps of providing the straw, the straw having a hollow tubular pipe including a proximal end and a distal end, a bendable section located between the proximal end and the distal end, the bendable section consisting of a plurality of accordion-like folds. The method further includes placing the distal end into a beverage or liquid stored in a container, angling an upper section of the disposable dysphagia straw towards the user's mouth, utilizing the bendable section to enable smooth movement of the upper section relative to a lower section, placing the proximal end towards the back of the user's tongue and pulling the beverage through the hollow pipe without requiring significant force or strength.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The disposable dysphagia straw 100 is specially designed and includes a length of from about 3.0 inches to about 7.0 inches extending between the ends 102, 104. The straw 100 helps individuals with dysphagia to pull fluids therethrough without applying much strength thereto. A shorter length minimizes the distance required by liquid to travel, making it easier and more efficient for individuals with dysphagia to drink, even when they have trouble swallowing. The upper section 112 extending between the top end 114 of the bendable section 108 and the proximal end 102 can move relative to the lower section 116 which extends between the bottom end 118 of the bendable section 108 and the distal end 104. In one exemplary embodiment, the length of the upper section 112 is from about 25% to about 40% of the length of the lower section 116 of the hollow tubular pipe 106. The straw 100 is designed to work with a wide range of fluids, from thin liquids to thickened beverages, without the need for additional attachments or modifications. Users can easily switch between different drink types without any hassle.
A mouthpiece or enlarged terminal end 312 is configured to a user's oral anatomy is integrated to the proximal end 302. The mouthpiece or enlarged end 312 provides an enlarged surface area at the terminal end and further enhances comfort and manipulation by a tongue and mouth during use of the straw 300 by a dysphagia individual.
Referring now to
In different embodiments of the present invention, the upper section of the disposable dysphagia straw provides vibrations to stimulate the user's throat muscles, promoting muscle strength and improved swallowing over time. The upper section may include a flavored coating for providing additional flavor to a user. The disposable straw of the present invention can be constructed from biocompatible, medical-grade materials that are safe with all types of beverages and environmentally friendly. The material can be recyclable and sustainable.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “disposable dysphagia straw”, “disposable straw”, “straw”, “easy sip straw”, and “ergonomic straw for dysphagia” are interchangeable and refer to the ergonomic straw for dysphagia 100, 300, 400 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the ergonomic straw for dysphagia 100, 300, 400 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the ergonomic straw for dysphagia 100, 300, 400 as shown in the FIGS. is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the ergonomic straw for dysphagia 100, 300, 400 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the ergonomic straw for dysphagia 100, 300, 400 are important design parameters for user convenience the ergonomic straw for dysphagia 100, 300, 400 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/592,647, which was filed on Oct. 24, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63592647 | Oct 2023 | US |
