Quiet nasal cannula
Inventors
Cortez, JR., Felino V. • Niland, William F. • McGarrity, George
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12564694-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices for providing respiratory therapy to a patient are disclosed. One device Includes first and second elongated lumens and a nosepiece. The elongated lumens each have a constant internal diameter. The nosepiece portion has a third lumen and a fourth lumen. The third and fourth lumens have constant internal diameters equal to those of the first and second lumens. The third and fourth lumens have inlet ends adapted to be connected to the outlet ends of the first and second lumens without constricting the internal diameter of the first and second lumens. The third and fourth lumens are configured to receive first and second flows of breathing gas from the first and second lumens and deliver the flows of breathing gas to outlets end of the third and fourth lumens. The second flow of breathing gas is maintained separate from the first flow of breathing gas within the noseplece portion.
Core Innovation
The described invention is a respiratory-therapy nasal cannula with first and second elongated lumens connected to corresponding third and fourth lumens in a nosepiece portion. Each pathway carries a separate flow of breathing gas. The lumens have substantially constant internal diameters, and enlarged coupling portions connect the corresponding lumens without constricting the flow paths.
The background section is not included in the supplied content, so the problem being solved is not explicitly described there. The description states that the substantially constant-diameter flow paths and non-constricting couplings are intended to reduce flow disruptions and delivery noise, and identifies reduced heat loss, liquid formation or spray, and water dripping as potential advantages.
Claims Coverage
The two independent claims are claims 1 and 11, presenting four inventive features. Claim 1 covers constant-diameter lumens with corresponding nosepiece lumens, while claim 11 covers substantially constant-diameter flow paths through the lumens and nosepiece.
Matched-diameter lumens and enlarged couplings
Claim 1 recites first and second elongated lumens with constant internal diameters, and third and fourth nosepiece lumens with respective internal diameters equal to those of the corresponding elongated lumens. The connections do not constrict the elongated lumens, and each connection includes an enlarged portion whose internal diameter is substantially equal to the external diameter of the adjoining lumen.
Separate breathing-gas flows
The third lumen receives a first flow of breathing gas from the first lumen and delivers it to the third lumen outlet; the fourth lumen receives a second flow from the second lumen and delivers it to the fourth lumen outlet.
Substantially constant-diameter flow paths
Claim 11 recites a substantially constant diameter flow path for the first flow from the inlet end of the first lumen to the outlet end of the third lumen, and a substantially constant diameter flow path for the second flow from the inlet end of the second lumen to the outlet end of the fourth lumen.
Non-constricting nosepiece connections with enlarged portions
The third and fourth nosepiece lumens connect to the respective elongated lumens without constricting their internal diameters. Each connection includes an enlarged portion whose internal diameter is substantially equal to the external diameter of the adjoining lumen.
The independent claims cover a respiratory-therapy device with two separate breathing-gas pathways, non-constricting connections to corresponding nosepiece lumens, and enlarged coupling portions. Claim 1 specifies matching constant internal diameters; claim 11 specifies substantially constant-diameter flow paths.
Stated Advantages
The substantially constant-diameter flow paths and non-constricting couplings are intended to reduce flow disruptions and delivery noise.
The description identifies reduced heat loss, liquid formation or spray, and water dripping as potential advantages.
Documented Applications
The device is for providing respiratory therapy to a patient using separate breathing-gas flows delivered through a nasal cannula nosepiece.
The described device can be connected to a source of heated and humidified breathing gas; the supplied claim summary identifies delivery at up to 40 lpm for adults.
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