Title: Strap for nasal cannula and method of holding cannula tubes
Abstract: A securement device for a nasal cannula having a nosepiece and first and second cannula tubes. An elongated strap having a first end and a second end and a first surface and a second surface. The first end encircling the first cannula tube behind and below a user's one ear, and the second end encircling the second cannula tube behind and below the user's other ear. The elongated strap first surface has a strip of hook fastener and a cooperating strip of loop fastener near the first end. The first surface has a strip of hook fastener and a cooperating strip of loop fastener near the second end. The strips of hook fastener being adjacent to their respective cooperating strips of loop fastener on the first surface without space between them. The first end encircles the first cannula tube and attaches to itself to form a loop around the first cannula tube with an interior surface, and the second end encircles the second cannula tube and attaches to itself to form a loop around the second cannula tube with an interior surface. The interior surface being covered substantially entirely with the strips of hook fastener and loop fastener.
Patent Number: 6,899,102 Issued on 05/31/2005 to McGlothen
| Inventors:
|
McGlothen; Roberta (13930 2nd Ave. West, Orofino, ID 83544)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
111794 |
| Filed:
|
October 25, 2000 |
| PCT Filed:
|
October 25, 2000
|
| PCT NO:
|
PCT/US00/41628
|
| 371 Date:
|
July 23, 2002
|
| 102(e) Date:
|
July 23, 2002
|
| PCT PUB.NO.:
|
WO01/34236 |
| PCT PUB. Date:
|
May 17, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
128/207.18; 128/200.24; 128/DIG.26 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A61M 015/08 |
| Field of Search: |
128/98,200.24,204.18,206.27,207.11,207.14,707.18,20704-20718,DIG.26,208.28,204.11,204.12,206.11
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dawson; Glenn K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pedersen & Co., PLLC, Pedersen; Ken J., Pedersen; Barbara S.
Parent Case Text
This application claims priority, and is a U.S.C. 371 national entry, of PCT
Application PCT/U00/41628, international filing date Oct. 25, 2000, and also is
a CIP of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 09/427,865, U.S. filing
date Oct. 26, 1999, which is the priority application for said PCT Application.
Claims
1. A method of securing nasal cannula to a wearer's head, the method comprising:
providing a nasal cannula on a wearer, the nasal cannula having a nosepiece and
oxygen-conduit right and left cannula tubes extending from the nosepiece, by placing
the nosepiece in the wearer's nostril's and looping the right and left cannula
tubes over right and left ears of the wearer, down behind the ears, forward above
the shoulders, and to the wearer's front chest;
securing the cannula tubes by attaching a securement strap to the right and left
cannula tubes at a location on the tubes between a portion of the tubes looping
over the ears and a portion of the tubes where the tubes extend over the shoulders
so that the strap extends between the tubes behind the neck in a hollow generally
between the wearer's head and neck;
and tightening the securement strap to prevent the cannula tubes from falling
off of the ears.
2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the strap is tightened to pull the tubes
off of the back of the wearer's ears, but does not lift the tubes up off of the
top of the ears.
3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the nosepiece, tubes looping over the ears,
and the securement strap are the only means for securing the cannula on the wearer.
4. The method as in claim 1, wherein the strap is attached at a location on the
tubes within 1 inch below the right and left earlobes and within 1 inch behind
the earlobes.
5. The method as in claim 1, wherein no part of the strap extends to a level
above the wearer's earlobes.
6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the strap has a center and a strap first
end and a second end, wherein the strap has a strip of hook fastener and a cooperating
strip of loop fastener near the first end and the strap has a strip of hook fastener
and a cooperating strip of loop fastener near the second end.
7. A method of securing nasal cannula to a wearer's head, the method comprising:
providing a nasal cannula on a wearer, the nasal cannula having a nosepiece and
oxygen-conduit right and left cannula tubes extending from the nosepiece, by placing
the nosepiece in the wearer's nostril's and looping the right and left cannula
tubes over right and left ears of the wearer, down behind the ears, forward above
the shoulders, and to the wearer's chest;
securing the cannula tubes only by the method comprising attaching a securement
strap to the right and left cannula tubes at a location on the tubes below the
wearer's ears so that the securement strap extends between the tubes behind the
neck in a hollow generally between the wearer's head and neck;
and tightening the securement strap to prevent the cannula tubes from falling
off of the ears;
so that, when the wearer rests his head on a pillow, the strap is not significantly
compressed between the wearer's head and the pillow.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the strap is positioned so that no part of
the strap is above the earlobes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to nasal cannula devices for assisting breathing
in humans. More specifically, this invention relates to a convenient and inexpensive
strap, and methods, for securely but comfortably holding the nasal cannula to the
head of the wearer, in a discreet and unobtrusive way that prevents accidental
dislodgement and interruption of supplemental oxygen.
2. Related Art
Many people wear nasal cannula to assist them in breathing. Typically, pure
oxygen or air enriched in oxygen is provided under slight positive pressure through
plastic tubes to the nostrils of the wearer of the cannula. This way, more oxygen
is provided to the lungs of the wearer.
The nasal cannula, however, must be securely held in place under the nostrils
of the wearer. Typically, a nosepiece is partially inserted into the nostrils,
and the cannula tubes extend from the nosepiece back over the top of the ears,
around the ears and down together along the front of the chest to the oxygen supply.
This conventional securement of the cannula often causes discomfort for the wearer.
Typically, chafing of the oxygen tubes on the cheeks and over the ears of the wearer
are experienced when prior art securement techniques are utilized. Also, the cannula
often may be easily dislodged during sleeping or resting, reducing its effectiveness.
Also, because the cannula is uncomfortable, some patients are more likely to purposely
remove it or to leave it off when it becomes dislodged. Several devices have already
been invented to address this discomfort and security problem.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,259,817 (Hawkins), 2,292,568 (Kanter et al.), and
4,333,143 (Foster) disclose straps which encircle the head to hold a cannula in
place. Also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,818 (Palfy) and 5,653,228 (Byrd '228) disclose
straps which support additional, separate securing devices for holding a device
next to the face. Palfy includes a strap as part of a complex system, wherein the
strap extends from two car loops of a gastric feeding tube holder around the back
of the head generally above the ears. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,916 (Byrd '916)
discloses a strap which extends over the top of the head and holds the cannula
up off the ears with clips at the end of the strap, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,200
(Clark) discloses a strap that extends over a user's head and lifts oxygen tubes
upwards from the top of the user's cars.
Still there is a need for a convenient and inexpensive securement means for
holding the nasal cannula securely but comfortably to the head of the wearer, but
with less structure than prior art devices. This invention addresses that need.
This invention is a simple, and inexpensive strap for stabilizing a nasal cannula
on a wearer. Preferably, the strap has both hook and loop fasteners at each end.
The strap is attached directly to both of the oxygen tubes behind the ears, and
rests on the lower back of the head, no higher than the earlobe and preferably
behind and below the earlobe, or the nape of the neck of the wearer. This way,
the cannula may be conveniently and securely attached to the head of the wearer,
while providing increased comfort relative to prior art systems. The invention
accomplishes these objects in a discreet manner with lightweight apparatus that
is minimally visible to the patient and to others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a convenient and inexpensive strap, and a method,
for securely and comfortably holding a nasal cannula to the head of a wearer. Preferably,
the strap is made of a substantially non-stretchable, cloth or fabric, most preferably
Tyveck® material, about ½ in. (1.3 cm) wide and 9½ to 12 in. (24
to 30 cm) long. The strap has detachable attachment mechanisms at each end, so
that it may be easily attached to conventional cannula tubes preferably without
any intermediate apparatus between the strap and the cannula tubes. The strap is
adjustable and/or has adjustable attachment mechanisms for shortening or lengthening
the length of the strap. Preferably, the strap has a ½ in. (1.3 cm) strip
of hook fastener, and a 3 in. (7.6 cm) strip of loop fastener at each end on one
same side of the cloth. To use the strap, one end of it is looped and secured to itself
around one of the oxygen tubes, at a position on the oxygen tube generally
between the ear and the shoulder. The strap extends behind the cars of the wearer,
and rests on the lower back of the head generally below the ears, at about the
nape of the neck of the wearer. The second end of the strap is looped around the
other oxygen tube and secured to itself, in a mirror-image position between the
other ear and other shoulder of the patient. Thus, the strap attaches at both ends
to the cannula tubes generally below the ears, so that the strap rests where most
people have a hollow, inwardly-contoured area that is located where the head contours
to the neck. When positioned in this inwardly-contoured area, the strap resists
being brushed or pulled out of position and does not slip off its position on the
head. Also, when a wearer rests his/her head against a pillow or other support,
the strap is not significantly compressed between the user's skin and a pillow
or support, because of its position in the contour of the head/neck, rather than
on the protruding back of the head. Therefore, the strap is unlikely to bruise
or hurt the head. Also, because of its preferred position below the protruding
back of the head, in a hollow "H," rather than on a protrusion of the head or over
the top of the head, the strap does not slip out of position.
When in use, the invented strap is preferably entirely below the patient's ears
and is substantially behind the patient's ears. The strap preferably does not encircle
any part of the patient's body, except that the strap tends to curve around the
back of the neck, that is, about ⅓-½ way around the neck. The tension
in the strap may be adjusted to pull the tubes in slightly towards the middle of
the back of the head or neck. Thus, the strap may be positioned so that it pulls
the tubes slightly off of the back of the ears, but is not positioned so that it
lifts the tubes up off of the top of the ears. While preferably holding the cannula
off of the back of the ears and holding the cannula from falling off the ears,
the invented strap preferably still allows some movement of the cannula, relative
to the user's ears, the neck, and the strap itself. This way, the cannula may be
conveniently and securely attached to the head of the wearer, while giving the
user both a more secure and comfortable feeling without giving the user a "strapped-in"
feeling. Further, the invented method and strap provide comfortable securement
without bulky and obtrusive apparatus. The invented method places the compact strap
in a position that is barely visible, if at all, from the front of the user as
the user rests on a bed or sits in a chair. The strap is substantially or entirely
concealed behind the person, depending on the adjustment of the strap and its resulting
length, without portions extending over or in front of the head. This allows the
user to feel more natural in the use of the cannula and less concerned about his/her
appearance while using the cannula.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a front view of a user wearing an embodiment of the invented strap
for holding cannula tubes.
FIG. 1B is a front view of a user wearing the embodiment of FIG. 1A in a more
tensioned and higher position, wherein the strap is substantially hidden from view
from the front.
FIG. 1C is a side view of the user wearing the embodiment of FIG. 1B in the
tensioned higher position.
FIG. 2 is a left side view of a user wearing the strap of FIGS. 1A-C, with the
strap in a lower position on the nape of the neck.
FIG. 3 is a right side view of the user wearing a strap according to the invention
in a position as in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a back view of a user wearing a strap according to the invention in
the position of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 5 is a schematic outside surface view of an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic partial perspective view, including two magnified detail
views, FIGS. 6A and 6B.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the Figures, there is depicted one, but not the only, embodiment
of the invented cannula holding device and methods for holding a cannula. As illustrated
in the Figures, the invented strap
5 is a simple, efficient system for increasing
security and comfort for oxygen cannula wearers. The invented strap need only be
connected to the cannula tubes, and need not be attached to the nosepiece of the
cannula. The invented strap helps insure that the cannula tubes will not fall off
or become pulled off the ears. The invented strap increases comfort because it
reduces/eliminates the chafing of the cannula tubes on the ears, because it prevents
significant movement of the cannula tubes relative to the user's skin. The invented
device and method work because it is inherently more comfortable to wear a cannula
system if the cannula tubes are not shifting in position and the cannula nosepiece
is not shifting/shaking in the nostrils, with every slight movement of the wearer.
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the preferred design and use of the invented strap
5.
The preferred embodiment attached directly to the cannula tubes, and includes no
band or attachment around any portion of the user's body, no strap over the user's
head, and no attachment to any other clothing or apparatus besides the left and
right oxygen-conduit cannula tubes.
On front view FIG. 1A, strap loops
10 and
10′ of the invention
may be seen beneath the ears on each side of and behind the wearer's
20
head. The FIG. 1A position is a less-preferred, lower and non-tensioned position.
Nasal cannula
30 has hollow, plastic tubes
35 and
35′
which extend from both of the wearer's nostrils, up over both cheeks beneath the
eyes, up over both ears, and down over the front of both shoulders to be joined
by clip
40 at the front of the chest. Then, the cannula tubes
35
and
35′ extend to an oxygen source (not shown). In FIG. 1A, the strap
5 is positioned and tightened only to an extent that the ends of the loops
10,
10′ show when one is looking straight at the wearer from
the front, whereas the more preferred positions involve the higher and more tensioned
position of FIGS. 1B and 1C.
In FIGS. 1B and 1C, the strap
5 is positioned in a higher position and
slightly tensioned relative to FIG. 1A, illustrating the more preferred position
and condition of strap placement. In this position, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C,
the strap and its loops
10,
10′ are nearly invisible to a
front observer and the strap tends to pull the cannula tubes slightly off of the
back of the ears. In the extreme, the strap is positioned at or slightly below
the level of the earlobe and tensioned to an extent that places the strap substantially
back from the ears wherein the strap is substantially or entirely invisible when
the user is viewed from the front.
In the views of FIGS. 2 and 3, the strap
5 is positioned down somewhat,
relative to the placement in FIGS. 1A,
1B, and
1C, which is a position
that may be comfortable for some wearers depending on the shape and size of their
head and neck. In left side view FIG. 2, strap
5 and left side strap loop
10′ of the invention may be seen beneath the left ear and behind
the head, respectively, of the wearer
20. Cannula
30 with left tube
35′ and clip
40 also appear in this Figure. In FIG. 2, strap
5 and left side strap loop
10′ are worn on a lower position
on the head than in FIG.
1.
In right side view FIG. 3, strap
5 and right side strap loop
10
of the invention may be seen beneath the right ear and behind the head, respectively,
of the wearer
20. Cannula
30 with right tube
35 and clip
40
also appear in this Figure. In FIG. 3, strap
5 and right side strap loop
10 are worn at the same location as in FIG.
2.
In back view FIG. 4, strap
5, left side loop
10′ and right
side loop
10 of the invention may be seen beneath the ears and behind the
head of wearer
20, with the strap
5 up in the position of FIG.
1A.
Cannula left tube
35′ and right tube
35 also appear in this Figure.
One may see from the Figures that several positions are acceptable for strap
5, and these positions depend on personal preference and the size and shape
of the wearer's head, neck and ears, and the position of the ears. The strap in
all positions is generally horizontal when the wearer is standing or sitting vertically
upright, which includes positions in which the loops
10,
10′
are slightly above the center of the strap. Thus, by locating the strap loops,
one is, in effect, also describing the position of the strap center. The strap
is positioned "generally below the ears," which phrase means that the strap may
be positioned so that:
- the strap loops 10, 10′ are within a range from
a) the ear lobe, that is, at most V2 in. (1.3 cm) up from the lowermost
surface of the ear lobe to b) nearer the shoulders so that the strap rests midway
down on the nape of the neck; or
the strap is more preferably "below the ears," which phrase means that the strap
is entirely below the ears, and is positioned so that:
- the strap loops 10, 10′ are within a range from
a) just below the lowermost surface of the ear lobe to b) nearer the shoulders
so that the strap rests midway down on the nape of the neck.
Also, the strap is positioned "generally behind the ears," which phrase means that:
- the strap with its loops extends only as far forward as the vertical
midline of the ears and rearward from there.
More preferably, the strap is positioned "behind the ears," which phrase means that:
- the strap with its loops are entirely behind the ears.
Thus, there is a range of locations for the invented strap and its methods
of use, depending of the wearer and need for securement. The especially-preferred
strap and methods place the attachment points of the strap, for example, the preferred
loops
10,
10′ within an area "P" directly below and behind
the earlobe that is about one inch square (2.54×2.54 cm). This area P may
also be described as the recessed area directly behind and below the earlobe that
is substantially between the rear of the jawbone and the neck musculature. The
preferred placement of the strap is which no part of the strap above the level
of the earlobes. Because the end of the human nose is typically at or slightly
above the level of the ear lobes, the preferred strap placement results in the
strap and loops
10,
10′ being lower on the body than the end
of the nose.
In schematic view FIG. 5, strap
5 is depicted with width
18 (about
V
2 inch (1.3 cm)) and length
19 (about 9-12 inches (23-30 cm)).
Strap
5 is preferably a single, elongated, one-piece strap, without apertures
and without loops other than the distal end loops
10,
10′.
The strap is preferably made of a generally soft cloth or foam material, so that
it does not necessarily require additional pads or cushions to be added to the
strap for touching the patient's skin. A non-stretchable material is greatly preferred,
to prevent stretching that might allow the cannula tubes to shift off the ears,
dislodge the nosepiece, and defeat the purpose of the strap. Also, the width of
about ½ inch (1.3 cm) is preferred because a wider strap will tend to longitudinally
fold over on itself, and a narrower strap will tend to cut into the skin.
Outside surface
11 of the strap
5 has center
21 and
distal ends
22,
23, each of which distal ends
22,
23
may be said to comprise a "distal area" at the outermost end of the strap and an
"inner area" slightly closer to the center
21. The strap has abutting strips
of both hook section
12 and loop section
13 fasteners at each of
the distal ends
22,
23. Typically, hook section
12 is at the
"distal area" of each distal end
22,
23 of surface
11, and
is shorter (about ⅙ times) than the length of loop section
13, which
is located at the more proximal "inner area" of the ends
22,
23.
Typically, hook section
12 is about ½ inch (1.3 cm) long, and loop
section
13 is about 3 inches (7.6 cm) long. Typically, strap
5 and
hook and loop sections
12 and
13, respectively, are all approximately
the same width.
The preferred configuration of hook and loop fasteners may therefore be described
as being all on a single surface of the invented strap, with no hook and loop fasteners,
or fasteners of any kind, on the other surfaces of the strap. The hook section
is adjacent to the loop section without any significant gap in between, so that
the hook and loop material is substantially continuous along up to about 3½
inches (9 cm) along each end of the strap. In this way, each loop
10,
10′
around its respective cannula tube has an interior surface surrounding the cannula
tube that is covered substantially entirely with hook and loop fastener. This positioning
of the book and loop fasteners and the inherent frictional nature of the hook and
loop fasteners allows a significant range of adjustment of the tightness of the
connection between the loops
10,
10′ and the cannula tubes.
For example, if a non-restrictive connection is desired, the loops
10,
10′
may be made to be generally loose on the cannula tubes, or, if a more restrictive
connection is desired, the loops
10,
10′ may be tightened
around the tubes. In this latter, restrictive connection, the small diameter of
the loop and the frictional surface of the hook and/or loop fastener material contribute
to the restrictive nature of the connection. Thus, it is not necessary or desired
to provide a glued, taped, or other integral attachment of the strap
5 to
the cannula tubes.
The above-described configuration of hook and loop fasteners allows securement
of the cannula without complex structure. The invented system is a single, generally
horizontal strap
5 that extends from cannula tube to cannula tube. There
is no need for buckle mechanisms, and no need for the strap ends
22,
23
to meet or overlap. There is no need for any of the strap structure to extend forward
across the patient's cheeks, lips, nose, or forehead. In its typical use, the forward-most
portion of the invented strap, also the upward-most portion of the strap, is the
loop
10,
10′ around the cannula tubes.
In schematic partial view FIG. 6 including FIGS. 6A and 6B, outside surface
11,
and inside surface
16 of substrate
17 are seen. The long section
13 of loop material shall preferably be made long enough to accommodate
a variety of patient profile dimensions. The combination of both right and left
side adjustments will allow an overall adjustment range equal to the length of
the longer section
13. The width
18 is sufficient to allow adequate
distribution of any pressure or tension developed by attachment of the support
strap
5 to the left
35′ and right
35 descending tubes
of the nasal cannula
30. The length
19 shall be variable depending
upon the application of the strap
5 to either adults, children, or infants.
The loop (
10,
10′) formed by folding the short hook section
12 back on the longer loop section
13, thereby enclosing the descending
tube (
35,
35′) and maintaining said tube's relative position
in front of and to the side of the neck of the patient does not necessarily create
a restrictive connection to the said descending tube. If desired, a non-restrictive
connection allows moderate movement of the descending tubes through the thereby
created loops and minimizes unintended pulling on the nasal cannula caused by unconscious
and/or involuntary movements of the sleeping patient.
Although this invention has been described above with reference to particular
means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all equivalents
within the scope of the following claims.
*
