U.S. patent application number 12/115842 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-12 for gas supply system.
Invention is credited to Nancy Davis, Tom Davis.
Application Number | 20090277454 12/115842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40823027 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090277454 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; Tom ; et al. |
November 12, 2009 |
Gas Supply System
Abstract
A gas supply system is disclosed. The gas supply system includes
a housing, a spool, a gas tube, at least one opening, a retract
mechanism and a holding member. The spool is configured within the
housing. The gas tube is retractably wound on the spool and
includes a first end portion and a second end portion capable of
being connected to a gas supply and a nasal cannula respectively.
The at least one opening is configured on the housing for enabling
at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion of
the gas tube to extend out of the housing. The retract mechanism is
configured in the housing and is capable of retracting a portion of
the gas tube extended out of the housing. The holding member
extends from the housing and enables the gas supply system to be
removably mounted on a supporting member.
Inventors: |
Davis; Tom; (Orient, OH)
; Davis; Nancy; (Orient, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAY M. SCHLOFF
6960 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 315
West Bloomfield
MI
48322
US
|
Family ID: |
40823027 |
Appl. No.: |
12/115842 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/207.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/6936 20150401;
A61M 2202/0208 20130101; B65H 75/48 20130101; B65H 75/4471
20130101; B65H 75/4463 20130101; A61M 16/0672 20140204; B65H 75/38
20130101; Y10T 137/6954 20150401; A61M 2209/082 20130101; Y10T
137/6851 20150401; B65H 2701/33 20130101; A61M 16/0875 20130101;
Y10T 137/6943 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/207.18 |
International
Class: |
A61M 16/00 20060101
A61M016/00 |
Claims
1. A gas supply system for delivery of gas from a gas supply to a
nasal cannula and capable of being removably mounted on a
supporting member, the gas supply system comprising: a housing; a
spool configured within the housing and rotatably coupled to the
housing; a gas tube retractably wound on the spool, the gas tube
having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end
portion of the gas tube capable of being connected to the gas
supply, and the second end portion of the gas tube capable of being
connected to the nasal cannula; at least one opening configured on
the housing for enabling at least one of the first end portion and
the second end portion of the gas tube to extend out of the
housing; a retract mechanism configured in the housing and
operatively coupled to the spool, the retract mechanism capable of
retracting a portion of the gas tube extended out of the housing;
and a holding member extending from the housing, the holding member
enabling the gas supply system to be removably mounted on the
supporting member.
2. The gas supply system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises:
a first wall; a second wall substantially parallel to the first
wall; and at least one peripheral wall extending between the first
wall, and the second wall forming a cavity therebetween.
3. The gas supply system of claim 2, wherein the at least one
peripheral wall is at least partially openable for enabling an
access to the cavity of the housing.
4. The gas supply system of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of
a transparent material.
5. The gas supply system of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of
a plastic material.
6. The gas supply system of claim 1, wherein the spool is removably
coupled to the housing.
7. The gas supply system of claim 1, wherein the gas tube is made
of a plastic material.
8. The gas supply system of claim 1, further comprising a swivel
mechanism operably coupled to an end of the holding member, the
swivel mechanism capable of enabling the gas supply system to
rotatably move upon being mounted on the supporting member.
9. The gas supply system of claim 1, further comprising a retaining
mechanism slidably engaged with the portion of the gas tube
extended out of the housing, the retaining mechanism capable of
retaining the extended portion of the gas tube outside the housing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to delivery of
therapeutic gases such as oxygen, nitrous oxide and the like to
patients, and, more particularly, to a gas supply system capable of
delivering a gas or a therapeutic gas from a gas supply to a nasal
cannula connected to a patient's nose.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] During surgeries and other medical treatments, patient often
require a supply of therapeutic gases, for example, oxygen, nitrous
oxide, and the like. A source of the therapeutic gases may include
an air canister gas supply system, an air supply cylinder and the
like. The therapeutic gases may be supplied to the patient from the
source using a gas tube and a nasal cannula. More specifically, one
end of the gas tube is connected to the source and the other end to
the nasal canula. Further, the nasal cannula is used to administer
the therapeutic gases into the patient through his/her nose.
[0003] Typically, the gas tube connected to the source of the
therapeutic gas may have a sufficient length, thereby enabling the
patient to move within an area of a room. However, due to the
movement of the patient inside the room, the gas tube may drag
along the floor of the room. Consequently, such a long length of
the gas tube may enhance the probability of the patient tripping or
falling on the gas tube and hurting himself/herself.
[0004] Moreover, when the gas tube is dragged along a dirty floor
of the room due to the patient's movement, the gas tube may get
soiled. Accordingly, the patient using such a soiled gas tube may
catch infection. Further, the gas tube lying on the floor or
dragged along the room may affect aesthetic appeal of the room and
may provide an unorganized environment to the patient.
[0005] Accordingly, based on the foregoing, there is a need for a
gas supply system that allows a patient to move freely and
conveniently inside a room while being administered a therapeutic
gas from the gas supply system. Moreover, the gas supply system
should prevent a gas tube from lying on a floor of the room and
being dragged along the floor. Further, there is a need for a gas
supply system that keeps a gas tube clean, thereby reducing chances
of causing infection to a patient. Furthermore, there is a need for
a gas supply system that enables a user to preserve the aesthetics
of the room, thereby providing an organized environment to the
patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior
art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a
gas supply system configured to include all the advantages of the
prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a gas supply system that allows a patient to move freely
and conveniently inside a room while being administered a
therapeutic gas from the gas supply system.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a gas
supply system that prevents a gas tube from lying on a floor of the
room and being dragged along the floor.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
gas supply system that keeps a gas tube clean, thereby reducing
chances of causing infection to a patient.
[0010] In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present
invention, a gas supply system is disclosed. The gas supply system
is capable of delivering gas from a gas supply to a nasal cannula
and capable of being removably mounted on a supporting member. The
gas supply system includes a housing, a spool, a gas tube, at least
one opening, a retract mechanism and a holding member. The spool is
configured within the housing and rotatably coupled to the housing.
The gas tube is retractably wound on the spool. The gas tube has a
first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion
of the gas tube is capable of being connected to the gas supply.
The second end portion of the gas tube is capable of being
connected to the nasal cannula. The at least one opening is
configured on the housing for enabling at least one of the first
end portion and the second end portion of the gas tube to extend
out of the housing. The retract mechanism is configured in the
housing and operatively coupled to the spool. The retract mechanism
is capable of retracting a portion of the gas tube extended out of
the housing. The holding member extends from the housing and
enables the gas supply system to be removably mounted on the
supporting member.
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the gas supply
system includes a retaining mechanism slidably engaged with the
portion of the gas tube extended out of the housing. The retaining
mechanism is capable of retaining the extended portion of the gas
tube outside the housing.
[0012] These together with other aspects of the present invention,
along with the various features of novelty that characterize the
present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a
better understanding of the present invention, its operating
advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses,
reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary
embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The advantages and features of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following detailed
description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates a gas supply system used for delivery of
a gas from a gas supply to a nasal cannula, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded view of the gas supply
system of FIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an environment in which the gas supply
system of FIGS. 1A and 1B is being utilized by a patient for
administering a gas thereto, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0017] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for
illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure
and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present
invention is not limited to a particular gas supply system, as
shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may
suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the
application or implementation without departing from the spirit or
scope of the claims of the present invention.
[0019] The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not
denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to
distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and "an"
herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote
the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
[0020] The present invention provides a gas supply system. The gas
supply system is adapted to be used for delivery of a gas from a
gas supply, for example, an air supply cylinder, to a nasal
cannula. The gas supply system enables the patient to move
conveniently and freely from one place to another inside a room
while being administered a gas from the disclosed gas supply
system. Moreover, the gas supply system prevents the tube from
lying on a floor of the room and being dragged thereof along the
floor.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a gas supply system 100 is
illustrated. More specifically, FIG. 1A illustrates an assembled
view of the gas supply system 100, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention; and FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded view
of the gas supply system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. The gas supply system 100 (hereinafter
referred to as `system 100`) includes a housing 102, a spool 104, a
gas tube 106, at least one opening for example, a first opening 108
and a second opening 110, a retract mechanism (not shown) and a
holding member 112.
[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing 102
may be configured to form a cuboidal structure as shown in FIGS. 1A
and 1B. More specifically, the housing 102 may include a
rectangular first wall, for example, a first wall 114; a
rectangular second wall, for example, a second wall 116
substantially parallel to the first wall 114; and at least one
peripheral wall 118 (hereinafter referred to as `peripheral wall
118`). The peripheral wall 118 extends between the first wall 114
and the second wall 116 to form a cavity 120 therebetween.
[0023] For the purpose of this description the housing is shown and
described to assume a cuboidal structure. However, it will be
evident to a person skilled in the art that apart from the cuboidal
structure, the housing 102 may be configured to have other
structures such as a spherical structure, a cylindrical structure,
a polygonal structure, and the like.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral
wall 118 is at least partially openable for enabling an access to
the cavity 120 of the housing 102. For example, the system 100 may
include a removable portion 122 configured in the peripheral wall
118. The removable portion 122 may be detached completely or
partially from the peripheral wall 118 for enabling an access to
the cavity 120 of the housing 102. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the removable portion 122 may have an end operatively
coupled to the peripheral wall 118 of the housing 102 through a
coupling arrangement 124. The coupling arrangement 124 may be any
coupling arrangement known in the art, for example, a hinged
coupling arrangement, a pivotal coupling arrangement, and the like.
The removable portion 122 of the peripheral wall 118 may include a
holder 126 configured thereon for facilitating removal of the
removable portion 122.
[0025] Further, without limiting the scope of the present
invention, the housing 102 may be made of a transparent material.
More specifically, the housing 102 may be composed of a clear
plastic material that renders the housing 102 transparent. However,
it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the housing
102 may be composed of any other materials known in the art, such
as, a plastic material, a metallic material, and the like.
[0026] The spool 104 of the system 100 is configured within the
housing 102 and rotatably coupled to the housing 102. More
specifically, the spool 104 is configured within the cavity 120 of
the housing 102. Accordingly, the spool 104 may rotatably move
within the cavity 120 of the housing 102. The spool 104 may be
coupled to the housing 102 using any coupling mechanisms known in
the art.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the spool 104 may
be disposed on a spindle 128. The spindle 128 may have a pair of
ends rotatably coupled with the first wall 114 and the second wall
116 of the housing 102. In such an embodiment, the rotation of the
spindle 128 enables the spool 104 to rotate within the cavity 120
of the housing 102. Further, such a configuration of the spool 104
as set forth herein is for the purpose of illustration and
description only. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art
that the spool 104 may have any other configurations that may
enable the spool 104 to be configured within the housing 102 of the
system 100.
[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, the spool
104 is removably coupled to the housing 102. More specifically, the
spool 104 is removably coupled to the first wall 114 and the second
wall 116 of the housing 102. Accordingly, the spool 104 may be
removed from the housing 102 by at least partially opening the
peripheral wall 118. Thereafter, the removed spool 104 may be
replaced with any other spools. In the present embodiment, the
spool 104 may be removed from the housing 102 by opening the
removable portion 122 of the housing 102 using the holder 126.
[0029] The spool 104 is capable of holding the gas tube 106
thereon. More specifically, the gas tube 106 is retractably wound
on the spool 104. In an embodiment of the present invention, the
spool 104 may include a plurality of grooves, such as the plurality
of grooves 130 (as shown in FIG. 1B), hereinafter referred to as
grooves 130 configured thereon. More specifically, the grooves 130
may act as individual compartments capable of receiving the gas
tube 106 wound on the spool 104. The grooves 130 facilitate proper
alignment of the gas tube 106 wound on the spool 104. Moreover, the
grooves 130 prevent compression of the gas tube 106 due to
overlapping thereof upon being wound on the spool 104. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the number of grooves 130 in a
spool, for example, the spool 104 may vary with the length of the
gas tube 106.
[0030] As disclosed herein, the gas tube 106 supplies gas present
in the gas supply to the patient through the nasal cannula.
Examples of the gas may include, but are not limited to a
therapeutic gas such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, and the like. The
gas tube 106 has a first end portion 132 and a second end portion
134. The first end portion 132 of the gas tube 106 is capable of
being connected to a gas supply (not shown) and the second end
portion 134 of the gas tube 106 is capable of being connected to a
nasal cannula (not shown). In one embodiment of the present
invention, the first end portion 132 is fixedly attached to a
periphery 136 of the spool 104. Further, the second end portion 134
unwinds the gas tube 106 from the spool 104 upon rotation of the
spool 104. Moreover, such a configuration of the gas tube 106 and
the spool 104 as set forth herein is for the purpose of
illustration and description only. It will be evident to a person
skilled in the art that any other configuration of the gas tube 106
and the spool 104, known in the art can be included in the gas
supply system 100.
[0031] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the gas
tube 106 may be made of a plastic material. However, it will be
apparent to a person skilled in the art that the gas tube 106 may
be made of any other material known in the art such as a rubber
material, and on the like. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the
present invention, the gas tube 106 may be provided in a variety of
colors such as fluorescent neon or any other color.
[0032] The housing 102 further includes the at least one opening
configured thereon for enabling at least one of the first end
portion 132 and the second end portion 134 of the gas tube 106 to
extend out of the housing 102. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the at least one opening may be a single opening
configured on the housing 102 for enabling the first end portion
132 and the second end portion 134 of the gas tube 106 to extend
out of the housing 102.
[0033] In another embodiment, the at least one opening may include
more than one opening. For example, the at least one opening may
include the first opening 108 and the second opening 110 configured
in the first wall 114 and the peripheral wall 118 respectively, of
the housing 102 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The first opening 108
enables the first end portion 132 of the gas tube 106 to extend out
from the housing 102. The first end portion 132 of the gas tube 106
extended out from the housing 102 is connected to the gas supply.
Further, the second opening 110 enables the second end portion 134
of the gas tube 106 to extend out of the housing 102. The extended
second end portion 134 of the gas tube 106 is connected to the
nasal cannula. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art
that the first opening 108 and the second opening 110 of the system
100 may be configured in any part of the housing 102 such as the
first wall 114, the second wall 116 and the peripheral wall
118.
[0034] The retract mechanism is configured in the housing 102 and
operatively coupled to the spool 104. The retract mechanism is
capable of retracting a portion of the gas tube 106 extended out of
the housing 102. More particularly, the retract mechanism enables
the extended portion of the gas tube 106 to retract into the cavity
120 of the housing 102 through the second opening 110. The extended
portion of the gas tube 106 retractably winds on the spool 104. In
an embodiment of the present invention, the retract mechanism may
include a protrusion (not shown) configured on the first wall 114
of the housing 102 such that manual operation of the protrusion may
facilitate rotation of the spool 104. Upon operating the
protrusion, the spool 104 may rotate, thereby retracting the
extended portion of the gas tube 106 into the housing 102.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the retract
mechanism may be a spring mechanism 138 coupled with the spool 104
and the spindle 128. The spring mechanism 138 enables the spool 104
to retractably rotate such that the extended portion of the gas
tube 106 retracts into the cavity 120 of the housing 102. More
specifically, when a patient moves away from the system 100, the
gas tube 106 extends out through the second opening 110 of the
housing 102 by forcing the spool 104 to rotate and the spring
mechanism 138 to expand. Further, when the patient moves closer to
the system 100, the spring mechanism 138 contracts and forces the
spool 104 to rotate in a direction so as to retract the gas tube
106 into the housing 102. Moreover, it will be apparent to a person
skilled in the art that the retract mechanism may include any other
mechanisms known in the art for retracting the extended portion of
the gas tube 106.
[0036] The holding member 112 of the system 100 has a bottom end
portion 140, a swivel mechanism (not shown) operably coupled to the
bottom end portion 140 of the holding member 112. The holding
member 112 extends from the peripheral wall 118 of the housing 102.
The holding member 112 enables the system 100 to be removably
mounted on a supporting member, for example, a wheel chair, a bed,
and the like. The swivel mechanism enables the system 100 to
rotatably move on the supporting member upon being mounted thereon.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the swivel
mechanism may be a mechanism known in the art used for enabling the
system 100 to execute a rotational motion when the system 100 is
mounted on the supporting member. The holding member 112 may be
received by a swivel head configured on the supporting member for
removably mounting the system 100 on the supporting member. The
swivel head of the supporting member will be explained further in
conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0037] The system 100 further includes a retaining mechanism 142
slidably engaged with the extended portion of the gas tube 106. The
retaining mechanism 142 is capable of retaining the extended
portion of the gas tube 106 outside the housing 102. For instance,
the gas tube 106 may be extended out of the housing 102 through the
second opening 110 by a user. Thereafter, the user may slide the
retaining mechanism 142 to a position on the gas tube 106 such that
the extended portion of the gas tube 106 is restrained from
retracting into the housing 102. The retaining mechanism 142 may
possess a bead like structure as shown in FIG. 1A. However, it will
be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the retaining
mechanism 142 may possess any other structures known in the
art.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the system 100
being utilized by a patient 200 while being administered a gas, for
example, oxygen from a gas supply 302, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may be mounted
on a supporting member, for example, a bed 304 by using the holding
member 112. The bed 304 may have a receiving member 306 that may
receive the bottom end portion 140 of the holding member 112 to
securely mount the system 100 on the bed 304. In one embodiment of
the present invention, the holding member 112 may be connected to
the swivel head configured on the supporting member using a
connector. The connector may be a bushing connector, a swivel
connector or any other connector known in the art. The connector
enables the system 100 to rotate freely while being utilized by a
patient, for example, the patient 200. Moreover, the connector
prevents entangling of the gas tube 106. It will be apparent to a
person skilled in the art that the connector may be internally or
externally configured at the bottom end portion 140 of the holding
member 112.
[0039] The swivel mechanism and connector configured at the bottom
end portion 140 of the holding member 112 enables the system 100 to
execute a rotational motion as shown by an arrow `A`. Further, the
arrow `A` has been depicted showing rotation in one direction for
illustration purpose only. However, the system 100 is capable of
being rotated in other direction as well. In an embodiment of the
present invention, the receiving member 306 may have the swivel
head (not shown) capable of coupling with the bottom end portion
140 of the holding member 112.
[0040] The system 100 is connected to the gas supply 302 and a
nasal cannula 308 is connected to a nose of the patient 200. As
explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first end
portion 132 of the gas tube 106 may be connected to the gas supply
302, and the second end portion 134 connected to the nasal cannula
308 respectively. More specifically, the first end portion 132 of
the gas tube 106 extends out from the first opening 108 of the
system 100 and engages with the gas supply 302; while the second
end portion 134 of the gas tube 106 extends out from the second
opening 110 of the system 100 and engages with the nasal cannula
308.
[0041] In use, when the patient 200 moves away from the bed 304, a
desired length of the gas tube 106 extends out through the second
opening 110 of the system 100, thereby enabling the patient 200 to
conveniently move around. As described herein, only the desired
length of the gas tube 106 extends out from the system 100.
Accordingly, the gas tube 106 may not lie on the floor of the room
or drag along the floor, thereby avoiding tripping and falling of
the patient 200. Moreover, the patient 200 may use the retaining
mechanism 142 to retain the extended portion of the gas tube 106
outside the housing 102. When the patient 200 moves closer to the
system 100, the retaining mechanism 142 may be disengaged and the
extended portion i.e. the desired length of the gas tube 106 may be
manually retracted back into the system 100 using the retract
mechanism such as the protrusion. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the extended portion of the gas tube 106 may be
automatically retracted by the retract mechanism such as the spring
mechanism 138 of the system 100.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100
may be about 4 inches in width and about 6 inches in length,
thereby providing a compact structure thereto. Moreover, the gas
tube 106 configured within the system 100 may have a length of
about 25 feet. In another embodiment of the present invention, the
system 100 may be about 4 inches in width and about 10 inches in
length. Further, the gas tube 106 may have a length of about 50
feet. Moreover, the system 100 may have weight ranging from about 1
pound to about 2 pounds. Additionally, the system 100 may be
provided in a variety of sizes having dimensions other than the
dimensions mentioned in the above embodiments.
[0043] The gas supply system 100 explained in conjunction with
FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 may be advantageously used for delivery of a gas
from a gas supply to a nasal cannula. The disclosed gas supply
system may include a gas tube retractably extending therefrom for
enabling the patient to move freely and conveniently while being
administered gas from the gas supply system. Further, as the gas
tube of the gas supply system is retractable, the gas tube may not
lie or drag along a floor of a room, thereby reducing a probability
of tripping and falling of the patient over the gas tube.
Furthermore, the retractable feature of the disclosed gas supply
system provides an organized environment or room for the patient.
Moreover, the gas supply system prevents soiling of the gas tube by
avoiding a contact of the gas tube with the floor, thereby reducing
the chances of causing infections to the patient.
[0044] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously
many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order
to best explain the principles of the present invention and its
practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the
art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may
suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions
are intended to cover the application or implementation without
departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present
invention.
* * * * *