The present invention relates to a system and method for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject suffering from dry lips, for example, after undergoing surgery.
It is common for patients recovering from surgery, particularly during recovery from general anesthesia, to suffer from dry or cracked lips. In some cases, this problem may persist for several days after surgery. During the recovery period, the patient is typically allowed only very limited amounts of water or cracked ice due to the risk of inducing vomiting. The discomfort caused by dryness of the lips is typically addressed by frequent intervention of nurses or family members manually moistening the lips or giving small amounts of cool water or chipped ice. This intervention is an added burden on healthcare staff, and may not always be feasible. Various other situations can arise, particularly for infirm and sick residents and patients in nursing homes and facilities, which result in discomfort and suffering from chronic and short term conditions which result in dry or cracked lips.
Various devices have been proposed for providing short-term solutions to moisturizing the lips and/or palate under such circumstances. Examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,679,551; 4,838,882; 4,917,674; 5,055,108; 5,062,795; and 6,536,423. Of these, U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,551 relates to a non-contact ultrasound spray arrangement which is complex and costly. The remaining references all relate to various devices which are positioned partly or entirely within the mouth cavity. Such devices may be somewhat effective, but are typically unpopular with patients who feel that their mouths are obstructed. In most cases, the devices extend between the lips of the patient, interfering with normal closing of the mouth and disrupting the patient's ability to resume speaking.
There is therefore a need for a simple but effective system and corresponding method for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject suffering from dry lips without preventing closing together of the subject's lips.
The present invention is a system and corresponding method for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject suffering from dry lips.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a method for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an applicator for applying the moisturizing liquid to the lips of the subject; and (b) employing a support structure to support the applicator so that at least a part of the applicator is deployed to engage a recess between the lips of the subject without obstructing contact between the upper and lower lips of the subject.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the support structure is supported primarily by at least one part of the body of the subject.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the support structure is supported at least in part by contact with the cheeks of the subject.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the support structure is supported at least in part by engagement with features of at least one ear of the subject.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the support structure includes a clamp for clamping the support structure to a bed.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the support structure includes a base configured to be self-supporting when placed on a flat surface.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the applicator includes an absorbent material moistened by the moisturizing liquid.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the applicator includes a conduit with a plurality of liquid release apertures.
According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a liquid supply arrangement including: (a) a reservoir for containing a quantity of the moisturizing liquid; (b) a supply arrangement in fluid communication with the reservoir and the applicator for supplying the moisturizing liquid to the applicator.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the liquid supply arrangement is a gravity-fed liquid supply arrangement.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the reservoir maintains the moisturizing liquid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, the pressure generating liquid flow to the applicator.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the reservoir is pressurized by the weight of a part of the subject's body resting on the reservoir, thereby feeding the moisturizing liquid to the applicator.
According to a further feature of the present invention, the applicator includes a reservoir for containing a quantity of the moisturizing liquid.
There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a system for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject, the system comprising: (a) a reservoir for containing a quantity of the moisturizing liquid; (b) an applicator for applying the moisturizing liquid to the lips of the subject; (c) a supply arrangement in fluid communication with the reservoir and the applicator for supplying the moisturizing liquid to the applicator; and (d) a support structure configured for supporting the applicator, wherein the support structure is configured to support the applicator relative to a part of the body of the subject so that at least a part of the applicator is deployed to engage a recess between the lips of the subject without obstructing contact between the upper and lower lips of the subject.
There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a system for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject, the system comprising: (a) a reservoir for containing a quantity of the moisturizing liquid; (b) an applicator for applying the moisturizing liquid to the lips of the subject; (c) a supply arrangement in fluid communication with the reservoir and the applicator for supplying the moisturizing liquid to the applicator; and (d) a support structure configured for supporting the applicator, wherein the applicator is configured for dispensing the moisturizing liquid onto the lips through contact with the lips without insertion of the applicator into the mouth of the subject.
The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The present invention is a system and corresponding method for delivering moisturizing liquid to the lips of a subject suffering from dry lips.
The principles and operation of systems and methods according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
Referring now to the drawings,
It will be noted that the positioning of applicator 16 as described herein, engaging the recess between the lips but without obstructing closure of the lips together, is highly advantageous. On one hand, the proximity of applicator 16 to the lips allows the use of simple contact-based implementations of applicator 16, thereby providing continuous and mess-free relief to the discomfort of the subject without requiring complex or expensive applicator devices. At the same time, by avoiding any obstruction to contact between the lips, disruption of speech and other normal oral movement is avoided, thereby making the system as non-intrusive as possible. These and other advantages of the systems and methods of the present invention will become clearer from the following
Before addressing the features of the present invention in more detail, it will be helpful to define certain terminology as used herein in the description and claims. Firstly, the term “recess” is used herein in the description and claims to refer to a geometrical form in two dimensions, corresponding to the outline of a body part, which can be closed by addition of a single straight line to enclose an area. This definition is represented graphically in
When reference is made to an applicator being positioned such that is does not “obstruct contact between the subject's upper and lower lips,” this used to indicate that the lips are free to contact each other directly across the entire width of the mouth without any intervening object or material. This terminology thus excludes all types of devices which have portions extending into the mouth, or which are mounted in various manners to the lips or teeth.
Turning now to the remaining features of the schematic representation of system 10 illustrated in
Liquid 12 itself may be any non-toxic liquid effective for moistening the lips. The liquid is typically water-based, and may have additives to provide a sweet taste or any other desired flavor, additives to improve efficacy for treatment of dry lips or any other desired additives. Where additives are present, they may be in the form of a solution, a suspension, an emulsion or any other form. Most preferably, plain water is used. In certain cases, particularly where the subject is at risk of infection, sterilized water may be used. In many cases, regular drinking water may be sufficient.
Turning now to
Turning specifically to
A central portion of frame 40 preferably includes a flattened region 46 which protrudes inwardly, forming a convex contour which contrasts with the generally concave curvature of the inside of the arcuate shape. This portion provides support for, and defines the shape of, the applicator 16 of this embodiment, as will now be described.
Applicator 16 in this embodiment includes an absorbent material moistened by liquid 12 which serves to disperse the liquid over a desired contact area through capillary action. Liquid 12 is applied to the lips as they come into contact with the moistened absorbent material. In the preferred case illustrated here (
Supply of liquid 12 to layer 48 occurs via fluid flow conduit 26 which has one or more liquid release aperture 50, as revealed in
The device of
According to one particular example of a flow limiting element, a capillary tube is incorporated within the flow path. Preferably, the capillary tube has an internal diameter of between about 0.05 mm and about 0.2 mm, and most preferably about 0.1±0.03 mm. To facilitate attachment of the capillary tube, and external diameter of about 3 mm has been found convenient. A length of the capillary is preferably between about 5 and about 30 mm, and most preferably about 8±3 mm. Such a capillary can conveniently be attached at the end of conduit 26 or otherwise be deployed to define an outlet to applicator 16. In experiments performed by the applicant, a glass capillary tube of internal diameter 0.1 mm and length 8 mm has been found effective when used with an infusion bag supply positioned 70-110 cm above the outlet to maintain flow rates of around 10 cc. per hour.
Turning now to
Applicator 16 as illustrated here is a hollow body, typically of plastic, with an array of small openings for releasing liquid. The size of the openings, as well as coatings or other surface properties of the applicator, may be chosen to provide drip-free retention of liquid at the openings through surface tension effects. Liquid is then released by contact against the lips of the subject.
Turning now to
One attractive option for this implementation is positioning reservoir 24 over and/or behind the ears. In order to ensure comfortable balance between the two sides, it may be preferably to provide two similar reservoirs on opposite sides of the support structure, one resting on each ear. flow conduit(s) 26 are preferably implemented as part of support structure 18, or as thin tubes passing within the structure. Flow from reservoirs 24 to applicator 16 is preferably achieved through capillary action drawing water through the fine tubes of support structure 18 to applicator 16.
Applicator 16 as shown here, best seen in
Turning now to
A reservoir 24 is here provided at or near the base of stand 18, and is connected to applicator 16 via a conduit 26. A driving force for supplying liquid to applicator 16 is provided by a spring-clamp 80 applied so as to apply pressure to external surfaces of flexible reservoir 24. The pressure of the spring-clamp maintains moisturizing liquid 12 within reservoir 24 at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, thereby generating liquid flow to the applicator.
Turning now to
Turning finally to
Once again, it should be stressed that the various implementations of different elements of system 10 shown herein are not limited to the particular combinations illustrated. Thus, for example, the embodiments of
It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/IB09/50559 | 2/11/2009 | WO | 00 | 8/5/2010 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61027503 | Feb 2008 | US |