U.S. patent application number 14/083580 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-13 for infant nasal septum protective device.
This patent application is currently assigned to LQ Product & Devices, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is LQ Product & Devices, LLC. Invention is credited to Leah A. Quiray.
Application Number | 20140069440 14/083580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45563885 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140069440 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quiray; Leah A. |
March 13, 2014 |
Infant Nasal Septum Protective Device
Abstract
An infant nasal septum protective device has an H-shaped
configuration including a first portion that adheres to the outside
of the nose when in use, a second portion that adheres to the upper
lip when in use, and a third portion that extends between and
interconnects the first and second portions in a position overlying
the septum when in use, to help protect the septum.
Inventors: |
Quiray; Leah A.; (Staten
Island, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LQ Product & Devices, LLC |
Staten Island |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LQ Product & Devices,
LLC
Staten Island
NY
|
Family ID: |
45563885 |
Appl. No.: |
14/083580 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13117203 |
May 27, 2011 |
8598403 |
|
|
14083580 |
|
|
|
|
61372328 |
Aug 10, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/858 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/0057 20130101;
A61M 16/0688 20140204; A61F 5/08 20130101; A61M 16/0666 20130101;
A61M 16/0683 20130101; A61M 16/0875 20130101; A61M 2210/0618
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/858 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/08 20060101
A61F005/08; A61M 16/00 20060101 A61M016/00; A61M 16/08 20060101
A61M016/08; A61M 16/06 20060101 A61M016/06 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A protective device for use in protecting an infant's nasal
septum when an oxygen supply device is being used on the infant,
comprising: a first portion that adheres to the outside of the
infant's nose when in use; a second portion that adheres to the
infant's upper lip when in use; and a third portion that extends
between and interconnects the first and second portions in a
position overlying the infant's septum when in use; wherein the
first portion is in the range of about 0.5 cm to about 0.75 cm in
width and in the range of about 5.0 cm to about 7.0 cm in length;
wherein the second portion is in the range of about 0.5 cm to about
0.75 cm in width and in the range of about 5.0 cm to about 7.0 cm
in length; and wherein the third portion is in the range of about
0.5 cm in width and about 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm in length.
12. A protective device as set forth in claim 11 that is made of a
hydrocolloidal material with an adhesive inner side surface for
adhering to the skin of an infant.
13. A protective device as set forth in claim 11 having an H-shaped
configuration with the first portion and the second portion
extending generally parallel to each other and the third portion
extending generally perpendicular to and between the first portion
and the second portion.
14. A protective device as set forth in claim 11 including a first
fastener portion on the outer side surface of the second portion of
the device, and a second fastener portion for placement on the
oxygen supply device and engageable with the first fastener portion
thereby to support the oxygen supply device on the second portion
of the device and thus on the infant without direct contact with
the infant's septum.
15. A protective, device as set forth in claim 14 wherein the first
and second fastener portions are hook and loop fastener
portions.
16. A protective device for use with an oxygen supply cannula on an
infant who has a nose with two nostrils separated by a nasal
septum, the nose being disposed above the tipper lip of the infant,
and between the two cheeks of the infant; the cannula including two
nasal extensions that are sized to fit into the nostrils of the
infant and also including an intermediate portion extending between
the nasal extensions and thus extending laterally across the
infant's nasal septum when the cannula is in place on the infant's
nose; the protective device being used for protecting the infant's
nasal septum when the cannula is in place on the infant's nose, the
protective device comprising: a flexible sheet material having an
outer major side surface and an inner major side surface, and an
adhesive layer on the inner major side surface; the sheet material
having an H-shaped configuration including: a first portion that
adheres to the outside of the infant's nose when in use, extending
laterally between the infant's cheeks, the height of the first.
portion being selected to fit onto the infant's nose bridge area
above the nostrils and below the infant's eyes; a second portion
that adheres to the infant's upper lip when in use, extending
laterally between the infant's cheeks, the height of the second
portion being selected to fit onto the infant's upper lip below the
infant's nose and substantially completely above the infant's
mouth; and a septum protector strip that extends transverse to the
first and second portions and that interconnects the first and
second portions and that overlies the infant's nasal septum when
the protective device is in place on the infant's nose thereby to
minimize contact between the intermediate portion of the cannula
and the infant's nasal septum when the cannula is in place an the
infant's nose.
17. A protective device as set forth in claim 16 that is made of a
hydrocolloidal material with an adhesive inner side surface for
adhering to the skin of an infant,
18. A protective device as set forth in claim 16 including a first
fastener portion on the outer side surface of the second portion of
the device, and a second fastener portion for placement on the
oxygen supply device and engage able with the first fastener
portion thereby to support the oxygen supply device on the second
portion of the device and thus on the infant, without direct
contact with the infant's septum.
19. A protective device as set forth in claim 18 wherein the first
and second fastener portions are hook and loop fastener
portions.
20. A protective device as set forth in claim 16 wherein the first
portion is in the range of about 0.5 cm to about 0.75 cm in width
and in the range of about 5.0 cm to about 7.0 cm in length; wherein
the second portion is in the range of about 0.5 cm to about 0.75 cm
in width and in the range of about 5.0 cm to about 7.0 cm in
length; and wherein the third portion is in the range of about 0.5
cm in width and about 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm in length.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent application Ser. No. 61/372,328, filed Aug. 10, 2010, the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an infant nasal septum protective
device. The nasal septum is the portion of a human's nose that
separates the left and right nostrils of the nose. In an infant,
especially a premature infant, the septum is fragile. Many
premature infants need oxygen therapy, which involves the use of a
nasal cannula or a nasal CPAP device. Such devices can rub on or
wear on the septum, thereby damaging the septum. Also, the skin of
the septum becomes dry and cracks because of the oxygen
application. In some cases, especially with prolonged nasal
therapy, the septum can be severely damaged or even destroyed. It
is desirable to prevent this from happening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Features of the invention will become apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains, from a
reading of the following specification together with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a view of a protective device that is a first
embodiment of the invention, showing the H-shaped configuration of
the device;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG.
1;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates the device of FIG. 1 applied to an
infant's nasal area
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates the device of FIG. 1 in use with a nasal
cannula;
[0008] FIG. 5 is a view of similar to FIG. 1 of a protective device
that is a second embodiment of the invention; and
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates the device of FIG. 5 in use with a nasal
CPAP device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] This invention relates to an infant nasal septum protective
device. The invention is applicable to devices of varying and
different constructions As representative of the invention, FIG. 1
illustrates a device 10 hat is a first embodiment of the
invention.
[0011] The device 10 is adapted to be secured to an infant's face
and to protect the infant's nasal septum when oxygen therapy is
being administered.
[0012] The device 10 is generally H-shaped as viewed in FIG. 1. The
H-shaped configuration includes an upper portion or nose portion 12
(nose bridge strip) that is adapted to overlie the nose bridge area
extending from left to right. The device 10 also includes a lower
portion or lip portion 14 (upper lip strip) adapted to overlie and
extend along the infant's upper lip in a direction generally
laterally and parallel to the upper portion. The device 10 also
includes a middle portion or septum protector strip 16 that extends
perpendicularly between the upper portion 12 and the lower portion
14.
[0013] The device 10 s made of a sheet material that is flexible
and that s substantially planar. The device 10 is preferably made
from a hydrocolloid adhesive material of the type that is widely
used in hospitals for dressings and bandages and that was developed
to protect a wound from contamination. This material provides a
moist wound-healing environment, thus providing both medical
benefit and comfort to the patient.
[0014] The material of the device 10 has an inner major side
surface 18 (FIG. 2) that is presented toward the patient's skin
when the device is in use, and an opposite outer major side surface
20. An adhesive 22 is provided on the inner major side surface 18
of the device 10. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the
entire back surface 18 of the device 10 is adhesive in order that
every portion of the device may be secured to the skin, in a
stabilized position. Thus, no separate taping is needed. A release
strip or glue strip 24 such as is found on a common bandage, may
cover the adhesive material 22 until the device 10 is ready for
use.
[0015] The material from which the device 10 is made has a balanced
texture appropriate to ensure secure application of the device to
the skin and deliver effectiveness of the product. Thus, the device
10 not only blocks contact of the oxygen device with the skink but
also lessens the pressure exerted on the septum. The material is
flexible like a bandage or dressing to conform to the infant's
facial configuration. The adhesiveness of the material allows the
stable fixation of the device 10 to the skin. Other suitable
materials can be used.
[0016] In use, the device 10 is attached completely to the nasal
area and septum of the patient without the use of any other
component, only the material itself. To install or place the device
10 on the infant, the caregiver should first ensure that both hands
are clean by washing the hands thoroughly, then choose the
appropriate size device according to the patient's weight and
gestational age.
[0017] The device 10 may be provided in several different sizes to
fit infants of different sizes and gestational ages. Extra small
may, be suitable for an infant who is under one kilogram and under
27 weeks of gestational age. Small may be suitable for an infant
who is under 1.5 kilograms and 28-31 weeks of gestational age.
[0018] Medium may be suitable for an infant who is 1.5 to 2.5
kilograms and 32-36 weeks of gestational age. Large may be suitable
for an infant who is over 2.5 kilograms and over 36 weeks of
gestational age. One suitable size range is upper and lower
portions being from 0.5 cm to 0.75 cm in width and 5.0cm to 7.0 cm
in length, with the intermediate septum portion being 0.5 cm or
more in width and 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm in length.
[0019] Once the right size is chosen, the device 10 is removed from
its packaging. The portion of the glue strip 24 that is on the lip
portion 14 is peeled off, and the exposed adhesive 22 on the lip
portion of the device 10 is then applied to the infant's upper lip
area, as shown in FIG. 3. More of the glue strip is 24 peeled off
and the middle portion 16 of the device 10 is applied to the
septum. Then the remainder of the glue strip 24 is removed from the
upper portion 12, and the upper portion is applied across the nose,
anchoring both ends on the infant's cheeks.
[0020] At this point, then, the device 10 is securely in place, and
the appropriate oxygen supply device can be placed on the infant.
If the oxygen supply device is a nasal cannula 30 as shown in FIG.
4, the two nasal extensions of the cannula fit into the infant's
nostrils. The central portion 16 of the septum protector device 10
is disposed between the cannula 30>and the infant's septum.
Thus, the central portion 16 of the device 10 prevents contact of
the nasal cannula with the infant's septum, and helps to protect
the septum. In addition, the moist wound-healing environment that
is provided by the hydrocolloidal material of the device 10 helps
to prevent drying and cracking of the skin of the septum.
[0021] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a device 10a that is a second
embodiment of the invention. The device 10a is suitable for use
with a nasal CPAP device 32 as shown in FIG. 6.
[0022] The device 10a is generally similar in construction to the
device 10 but has an added Velcro hook strip 40 on the outside of
the upper lip portion 14a of the device 10a. The Velcro hook strip
40 can be provided already affixed to the upper lip portion 14a of
the device 10a. Alternatively, the Velcro hook strip 40 can be
provided separately to be, used with a device 10, in which case
there would be provided an adhesive, for example on the back of the
hook strip, to secure it on the device 10.
[0023] The device 10a also includes two separate Velcro loop strips
42 that are adapted to be manually wrapped around and thus secured
to the tubing of the CPAP device 32. The Velcro loop strips 42 on
the device 32 are then engageable with the Velcro hook strip 40 on
the upper lip portion 14a of the device 10a, to secure the CPAP
device onto the device 10a. Thus the device 10a helps to support
the CPAP device 32 in the proper position on the infant's face,
while at the same time the central portion 16a of the device 10a
prevents contact of the CPAP device with the infant's septum and
thus helps to protect the septum.
[0024] When the device 10 or 10a is in use, the caregiver should
implement regular routine checks of the patients' nasal area,
ensuring that the device remains properly and securely placed. The
device's recommended usage period is 48 hours. The device should be
removed from the patient once that usage period has elapsed. To
remove the device, the caregiver can first prepare wet gauze or
cotton balls. The entire area covered by the device is then
carefully moistened, starting from the upper portion towards the
septum area and to the lower portion. Then, the device is carefully
peeled off, starting from the upper portion towards the septum area
and to the lower portion.
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