Patent Application
20070215158
The present document relates to a mask restraining system used with a bag mask resuscitator.
In an embodiment, the mask restraining system comprises a retainer, the retainer having a retainer body defining an aperture, the retainer body further defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a pair of upper slots, while the lower portion defines a pair of lower slots; and a first cord and a second cord each being adapted to engage the retainer body, wherein the upper slots define a progressively narrowing pinch wedge adapted to engage either the first cord or the second cord in a pinching action and the lower slots define a progressively narrowing pinch wedge adapted to engage another of the first cord or the second cord in a pinching action.
In another embodiment, a resuscitator apparatus comprises a resuscitation bag in fluid flow communication with a mask seated on the face of a patient, wherein the mask defines a port, and a mask restraining system adapted to engage the mask in a tightening action, the mask restraining system comprising a retainer, the retainer including a retainer body defining an aperture, the aperture being adapted to engage the port of the mask, the retainer body further defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a pair of upper slots, while the lower portion defines a pair of lower slots, and a first cord and a second cord, wherein the upper slots are adapted to engage the first cord in a pinching action while the lower slots are adapted to engage the second cord in a pinching action such that a tightening action is applied to the mask by the retainer body.
In one embodiment, a method of using a mask restraining system comprises:
a) providing a mask restraining system comprising a retainer, the retainer comprising a retainer body defining an aperture, the retainer body further defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a pair of upper slots, while the lower portion defines a pair of lower slots, the upper slots each defining a progressively narrowing pinch wedge and the lower slots each defining an entry portion in communication with a progressively narrowing pinch wedge, the upper slots adapted to engage a first cord having a middle portion defined between opposite end portions and the lower slots adapted to engage a second cord having a middle portion defined between opposite end portions;
b) engaging the port of the mask with the aperture of the retainer body;
c) passing the first cord and the second cord behind the neck of a patient;
d) engaging the end portions of the first cord to the upper slots and engaging the end portions of the second cord to the lower slots; and
e) pulling the end portions of the first cord and the second cord away from the retainer body such that the first cord and the second cord are engaged to the upper slots and the lower slots, respectively, in a pinching action.
In yet another embodiment, a mask restraining system comprises a retainer, the retainer comprising a retainer body defining an aperture, the retainer body defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a pair of upper slots, while the lower portion defines a pair of lower slots, each of the upper slots defining a progressively narrowing pinch wedge while each of the lower slots define an entry portion in communication with a progressively narrowing pinch wedge, the upper slots being adapted to frictionally engage a first cord and the lower slots being adapted to frictionally engage a second cord.
In a further embodiment, a mask restraining system comprises a retainer, the retainer comprising a retainer body defining an aperture, the retainer body further defining an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defines a pair of upper slots, while the lower portion defines a pair of lower slots; and a first cord and a second cord, the first cord and the second cord being adapted engage the upper slots and the lower slots, respectively, in a pinching action.
Implementation of the above embodiments may include one or more or more of the following features:
The upper slots define a pair of opposite single angled slots with each of the opposite single angled slots being in communication with an entrance.
The lower slots define a pair of opposite double angled slots with each of the pair of opposing double angled slots being in communication with an entrance.
Each of the entrances define a protrusion.
The first cord and second cord are a bungee cord.
The first cord and the second cord include opposite end portions wherein each of the opposite end portions is adapted to engage the upper slots and the lower slots in a manner that permits the middle portions of the first cord and the second cord to be tightened towards the retainer body.
The opposite single angled slots define the progressively narrowing pinch wedge.
The opposite double angle slots include an entry portion in communication with the progressively narrowing pinch wedge.
The entry portion is at a different angle relative to the progressively narrowing wedge.
The first cord and a second cord include opposite end portions, wherein each of the opposite end portions is adapted to engage the upper slots and the lower slots in a manner that permits the middle portions of the first cord and the second cord to be tightened towards the retainer body.
The opposite single angled slots define a progressively narrowing pinch wedge.
The opposite double angle slots include an entry portion in communication with a progressively narrowing pinch wedge.
The entry portion is at a different angle relative to the progressively narrowing wedge.
The step of positioning the first cord and the second cord behind the bridge of the neck of the patient includes positioning the middle portion of each of the first cord and the second cord behind the bridge of the neck of the patient
Additional features will be set forth in the description which follows or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the drawings and detailed description which follows.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the view of the drawings.
Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of a mask restraining system used with a bag mask resuscitator 9 is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in
Referring to
As noted above, the flexible tubing 14 is connected between the valve assembly 16 and the resuscitation bag 12 and may be of sufficient length and flexibility that, in combination with the freely rotatable coupling of the valve assembly 16 with the mask 18, forces generated by actuation of the resuscitation bag 12 are isolated and are not applied to the mask 18. This is due to the fact that the flexible tubing 14 in combination with the rotational coupling of the valve assembly 16 prevent such forces from affecting the placement of the mask 18 on the patient's face.
Referring to
A more detailed description of the operation and structure of the bag mask resuscitator 9 for use with the mask restraining system 10 is provided in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/656,176 filed on Feb. 25, 2005 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Referring back to
As further shown, the upper portion 34 of retainer body 32 defines a pair of upper slots 38 that may engage first cord 22, while lower portion 36 defines a pair of lower slots 40 that may engage second cord 24. However, it is contemplated that either pair of upper slots 38 or lower slots 40 may engage either the first cord 22 or second cord 24 which are identical in structure.
In addition, the pair of upper slots 38 may be defined such that each upper slot 38 has a single angled slot formed in diametric opposition to the other upper slot 38. The pair of upper slots 38 may each include a progressively narrowing pinch wedge 46 that communicate with a respective entrance 58 which defines a protrusion 44. Protrusion 44 is adapted to retain the first cord 22 within each upper slot 38 after the first cord 22 has been inserted through the respective entrance 58 by partially blocking entrance 58.
As shown, each lower slot 40 may be defined to have a double angled slot formed in diametric opposition to the other lower slot 40. In addition, each lower slot 40 may define an entry portion 50 that communicates with a progressively narrowing pinch wedge 48. Each entry portion 50 communicates with an entrance 59 that defines a protrusion 42. Similar to protrusion 44, protrusion 42 provides the same retaining function as protrusion 44 such that the second cord 24 does not become inadvertently disengaged from the lower slot 40 through entrance 59.
In one embodiment, retainer body 32 may have a slightly tapered shape wherein the upper portion 34 has a narrower width than the lower portion 34. However, it is contemplated that retainer body 32 may have other configurations, such as square, round, rectangular, reverse tapered and/or angular.
Referring to
In addition, the end portions 68, 70 may be dipped in a PVC plastisol protective covering as illustrated in
Referring to
After placement of the mask 18, the first cord 22 may be engaged to the retainer 20 by attaching the end portions 68 to respective upper slots 38, while then attaching the end portions 70 of second cord 24 to respective lower slots 40. It is contemplated that either the first cord 22 or second cord 24 may be attached first to the retainer 20. The mask 18 may then be adjusted and the first and second cords 22, 24 pulled upwardly relative to retainer body 32 in tugging action illustrated in
As noted above, the method for securely attaching the mask restraining system 10 requires the first cord 22 be engaged with the upper slots 38 such that the end portions 68 are inserted through each entrance 58 and engage the progressively narrowing pinch wedge 46 in a pinching action as the first cord 22 is pulled upwardly relative to the retainer body 32. The pinching action of pulling the end portions 68 of the first cord 22 upwardly through the progressively narrowing pinch wedge 46 generates a pinching action that engages each end portion 68 with each respective upper slot 38.
The second cord 24 may then engaged to the lower slots 40 such that the end portions 70 of second cord 24 are first inserted through each entrance 59 of lower slots 40 and into respective entry portions 50. In this engagement with each entry portion 50, the second cord 24 is not fully engaged and may be further tightened relative to the mask 18. This is accomplished as shown in
It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.
