Nasal adapter for administering analgesic gas

Abstract

An improved nasal adapter for administering analgesic gas having integral respiratory valves and adjustable regulators therefor and a substantially air tight sealing flange and which is constructed of relatively inexpensive plastic material, such that a large number can be kept on hand for use,, and such that it can be disposed of economically after a series of alternating sterilizations and applications.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention relates generally to an improved device for administering anaesthesia and more particularly to an improved nasal adapter for use by dentists in administering analgesic gas.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

The administration of gas analgesia during dental work of a potentially painful nature has become widely known. More and more dentists are relying on this type of anaesthestic since there are minimal after-effects to the patient, such as those suffered from a novacaine injection or the administration of a sleep-inducing anaesthetic.

There are, of course, a number of nose cones on the market for administering gas analgesia. These are usually of heavy surgical metal and plastic construction with rubber inner linings and with separate valves for each type of mask. Being of expensive construction, the practitioner usually has a limited stock on hand, generally only a small, medium and large nose cone. Thus, there must be constant interruption for sterilization between patients. Since they are sterilized after each patient use, the inner linings tend to become distorted after a time, and since they are of expensive construction, the administration of gas analgesia can become disadvantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, among one of the principal objectives of this invention to provide a semi-disposable nasal adapter of improved construction for administering analgesic gas.

In accord with the present invention, there has now been provided an improved nasal adapter for administering gas analgesia which comprises a nosepiece connectible with a source of gaseous analgesia, shaped and sized to conform to the patient's nose with the nosepiece being provided with respiratory valves for associated air intake and expiration and with each valve provided with adjustable air regulatory controls. A sealing flange is also provided along with the entire rim of the nosepiece so that it may be placed in substantially air-sealing abutment against the patient's face while the nosepiece itself is large enough to comfortable accomodate the patient's nose, thus allowing breathing room. A strap may be provided to hold the entire nosepiece to the head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the invention nasal adapter as shown applied to a patient's face (in phantom lines) and over the patient's nose.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows with the regulatory valves shown in exploded fashion.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 is the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 except it is shown from the other side of the face and in a plane slightly below that of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures of the drawing, the nasal adapter 10 of the invention comprises a nosepiece 12 shaped and sized to conform to the patient's nose (not visible). The nosepiece can be made up into a number of sizes to accomodate most patients. Thus, the nosepiece will have a right side 14, a left side 16 and an underside 18.

In a generally central location in the right side of the nosepiece is provided a laterally extending connecting tube 20 which is connectible to a gas analgesia source 22 (only partially shown). In a similar location, on the left side of the nosepiece, there is provided, and integral therewith, a semi-circular (or U-shaped) air-intake valve 24, whose function will be presently described hereinbelow. It is to be understood that the position of the connecting tube 20 and intake valve 24 may be reversed, since this is not critical to the invention. Along the underside 18 of the nosepiece, in a generally central location and integral therewith, is provided a U-shaped (or semi-circular) expiration valve 26, whose function will also be described subsequently.

Valve controls 28 and 30 are provided for the air intake valve 24 and expiration valve 26, respectively. The air intake valve control 28 is a generally circular shaped disc 32 provided with a semicircular shaped cut-out portion 34. A boss 36 is provided on the nosepiece, to the rear of valve 24, which forcibly registers with central circular opening 38 in disc 32 to hold it rotatingly in place. The expiration valve control 30 is an elongated body 40 having a circular opening 42 in its upper portion which will allow it to be forcibly registered with a boss 44 located at the tip of the nosepiece to enable it to be held rotatingly in place also.

A sealing flange 50 is provided integral with the entire rim 52 of the nosepiece. To hold the nasal adapter to the face of the patient a strap 54 (shown by phantom lines) may be employed to be secured around the head. The strap may be held in place by means of oppositely, vertically disposed projections 56 located just below the bridge of the nosepiece.

The nasal adapter of the invention is constructed of a plastic material, and preferably a light transluscent plastic material, such that it may be sterilized and reused a number of times, but, that, however, when normal wear and tear requires that it be disposed of, this may be done so relatively inexpensively. Moreover, a large number in various sizes can be kept on hand at one time causing no interruptions for sterilization procedures. Contrast this to the prior art adapters, which are more expensive and only a few are kept on hand at one time.

Describing now the operation of the present invention, the nasal adapter is placed over the nose of the patient (as shown in FIG. 1) with the sealing flange 50 in substantially air tight abutment with the face. The head strap, when secured assures this. Connecting tube 20 is hooked up to a suitable source of gas analgesia (not shown). The gas analgesia is generally a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen well known to those skilled in the art. By the action of the valves when the patient inhales, the air-intake valve 24 is opened and fresh air enters (FIG. 3), and when the patient exhales the expiration valve 26 is opened and expired air is emitted (FIG. 2). Thus, when gas analgesia is allowed to enter the nosepiece (FIG. 3), the patient will be breathing in a mixture of fresh air and analgesic through air intake valve 24 and gas source 22, respectively, and expiring the resultant residue through expiration valve 26. By virtue of the position of the latter, the expired residue is emitted downwardly (arrow FIG. 2) and towards the patient's mouth. Thus, when he breathes through his mounth to breathe, he will inhale more analgesic. This is a critical feature of the invention. Moreover, the expired analgesic is directed away from the dentist's face so that he can work without himself becoming anaesthetized.

By varying the amounts of air and gas analgesia mixture, the administrator may adjust the degree to which the patient is rendered pain free. This is accomplished by means of the intake valve control 28. In other words, by rotating the valve control (FIG. 4) around the pivotal point (i.e. boss 36) the fresh air coming in can be anywhere from minimal to maximal. Similarly by rotating the expiration valve control 30, the amount of air and gas analgesia residue mixture expired can be varied, again, from minimal to maximal. It can be seen that the regulatory valve controls allow the administrator to control the analgesic function to a high degree. Further, because of its transluscent plastic construction, the nosepiece of the invention can be more effectively checked for sanitation and the patient's breathing is more readily observable. When the particular operation is ended, the adapter can be sterilized and used over and over again. It is submitted, therefore, that there has now been provided a semi-disposable nasal adapter of improved construction for gas analgesia.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An improved nasal adapter for administering gas analgesia which comprises a nosepiece for covering the nose and means for connecting the nosepiece with a source of gaseous analgesia, said nosepiece being provided with respiratory check valves for associated air intake and expiration with each respective check valve being in turn provided with adjustable regulatory controls for air intake and expiration and sealing means being provided for said nosepiece, so that when said adapter is placed over the nose there will be allowed into said adapter the introduction of a mixture of gaseous analgesia and air and the expiration of the residue of said mixture from said adapter, in controlled amounts and wherein said nosepiece has opposing lateral sides, an underside, a closed side and an open side, the air intake respiratory check valve being located in one of said lateral sides, said source of gaseous analgesia being introduced through the other said lateral side, and the expiration respiratory check valve being located in said underside and includes means for directing the expiration of the residue of gaseous analgesia and air downwardly and towards the open side of said nosepiece.

2. A nasal adapter according to claim 1 wherein said air intake respiratory valve and expiration respiratory valve are each curve-shaped in opposite direction.

3. A nasal adapter according to claim 2 wherein said air intake respiratory valve and expiration respiratory valve are each semi-circular shaped.

4. A nasal adapter according to claim 3 wherein said air intake respiratory valve and expiration respiratory valve are each U-shaped.

5. A nasal adapter according to claim 2 wherein the air regulatory intake valve control further comprises a generally circular shaped disc provided with semicircular shaped opening means said disc being rotatable over said air intake respiratory valve and wherein the regulatory expiration valve control further comprises an elongated body rotatable over said expiration respiratory valve.

6. A nasal adapter according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means for said nosepiece further comprise a flange integral with the entire rim of said nosepiece.

7. A nasal adapter according to claim 1 wherein said nosepiece is provided with strap retaining means for securing the adapter.

8. A nasal adapter according to claim 2 wherein the construction is a transluscent plastic material.

9. A nasal adapter according to claim 1 wherein said nosepiece is a unitary body.

10. A nasal adapter according to claim 2 wherein said expiration respiratory check valve opens in the direction of the wearer.