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Publication Number
US-12005190-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A nasal cannula comprises a body portion, having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end by the body portion; a body fluid inlet port formed at the first end, and a body fluid outlet port formed at the second end; and a first nasal inlet port and a first nasal outlet port each extending from the body portion of the cannula. The first nasal inlet port is in fluid communication with the body fluid outlet port, and the first nasal outlet port is in fluid communication with the body fluid inlet port. The nasal cannula includes first and second end caps at the first and second ends respectively. The first and second end caps are attachable to the body portion. The body fluid inlet port is formed in the first end cap, and the body fluid outlet port is formed in the second end cap.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a nasal cannula for oxygen supply that includes a body portion having a first end and a second end, with a body fluid outlet port formed at the first end and a body fluid inlet port formed at the second end. First and second nasal projections extend from the body portion, and each nasal projection includes spaced nasal inlet ports and nasal outlet ports. The first and second nasal inlet ports are in fluid communication with the body fluid outlet port, while the first and second nasal outlet ports are in fluid communication with the body fluid inlet port.
A planar dividing wall extends through the body portion and substantially longitudinally at least partially through each nasal projection. The planar dividing wall, together with the walls of the nasal projections and the walls of the body portion, separates the fluid communication between the first and second nasal inlet ports and the body fluid outlet port from the fluid communication between the first and second nasal outlet ports and the body fluid inlet port. In this way, inlet-side and outlet-side fluid communications are selectively separated within the cannula.
The cannula further includes first and second end caps at the first and second ends, which are attachable to the body portion and comprise a slot adapted to receive and support the planar dividing wall. The body fluid outlet port is formed in the first end cap and the body fluid inlet port is formed in the second end cap, enabling the separated pathways to be supported by the end caps. The first and second nasal inlet ports are positioned further from the body portion than the first and second nasal outlet ports.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides a nasal cannula having selectively separated fluid pathways using a planar dividing wall, with end caps that support the dividing wall through a slot and with cross-communication between body and nasal ports arranged for inlet-side and outlet-side separation. The claim includes 3 main inventive features: the body/nasal port communication arrangement, the planar dividing wall separation, and the end-cap slot arrangement with body ports formed in the end caps (with inlet ports positioned further from the body portion than outlet ports).
Planar wall-separated inlet and outlet fluid communication in nasal projections
A planar dividing wall extending through the body portion and substantially longitudinally at least partially through each nasal projection, where the planar dividing wall, together with the walls of the nasal projections and the walls of the body portion, separates the fluid communication between the first and second nasal inlet ports and body fluid outlet port from the fluid communication between the first and second nasal outlet ports and the body fluid inlet port.
Body-to-nasal port communication arrangement for separated pathways
First and second nasal projections extending from the body portion where the second nasal projection is spaced apart from the first nasal projection, the first nasal projection comprising a first nasal inlet port and a first nasal outlet port each spaced apart from the body portion, the second nasal projection comprising a second nasal inlet port and a second nasal outlet port each spaced apart from the body portion, the first and second nasal inlet ports being in fluid communication with the body fluid outlet port, and the first and second nasal outlet ports being in fluid communication with the body fluid inlet port; wherein the first and second nasal inlet ports are positioned further from the body portion than the first and second nasal outlet ports.
End caps attachable with slot supporting the planar dividing wall and forming body ports
First and second end caps at the first and second ends respectively, which first and second end caps are attachable to the body portion and comprise a slot adapted to receive and support the planar dividing wall, and wherein the body fluid outlet port is formed in the first end cap, and the body fluid inlet port is formed in the second end cap.
The independent claim coverage centers on a nasal cannula in which separated fluid communications between nasal inlet ports and body fluid outlet port versus nasal outlet ports and body fluid inlet port are achieved by a planar dividing wall, supported by attachable end caps having a slot, with body ports formed in the end caps and inlet ports positioned further from the body portion than outlet ports.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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