AU2005100919A4 - A Protective Sheath for Oxygen Supply Tubing - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION S1. Field of the Invention O This invention relates to a cushioned protective cover for preventing blisters, Z pressure sores, abrasions, discomfort, irritation and other injuries to the ears, face and head resulting from the use of ear-mounted, nasal air supply hoses.

In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for protecting the top and back sides of ears and other parts of the face and head of a patient. The protection is intended to prevent development or exacerbation of such injuries due to the continuous and prolonged use of a nasal air supply hose which is worn about the patent's head and face and which is typically supported by draping the hoses about the ears. Use of the present invention also promotes healing of such injuries despite the continued use of such air supply hoses.

N 2. Description of the Prior Art Efforts have been made in the past to prevent or facilitate healing of pressure sores, blisters, abrasions, discomfort and other problems associated with the continuous and prolonged use of nasal air supply hoses. Most of such nasal air supply hoses are worn about the head with an air supply cannula assembly disposed below the nasal passage openings. The air supply hoses extend laterally outward from the cannula and are positioned about both sides of the face and head, with one hose on each side. Each hose is draped over the respective top and back of the patients' ears for support. U.S. Pat. No.

3,802,431 to Farr appears to disclose a typical nasal cannula assembly of this type.

One of the many problems associated with the continuous, prolonged use of such a device is the development of pressure sores and abrasions about the top and backs of the patient's ears due to the pressure of the air hose against the patient's sensitive skin. Additionally, the air hoses are usually impervious to moisture. Thus, perspiration and other moisture may build-up on the region of skin beneath the air hose creating an undesirable environment conducive to the development of infection and injury. Also, should this region of sensitive skin atop and behind the ears and elsewhere on the head and face, already be infected, abraded or in a deteriorated condition, the presence of the air hose and resulting lack of exposure to clean, dry air may prevent the proper healing of the skin.

All of these problems create a distressing source of irritation and discomfort to the patient who is already experiencing a medical condition necessitating use of the air supply cannula. Attempts to overcome some of the problems connected with nasal air supply use have led to development of complicated and expensive devices designed to lift the air hose off of the skin at the top and back of the ears. However, such attempts have resulted in creation of headband and face mask configurations which create added expense and difficulties for the patient without any corresponding benefit. U.S. Pat. No.

o 4,827,923 to Bishop et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,757 to Edwards appear to 0 disclose such devices.

Other efforts have led to the development of devices which provide a O protective covering intended to cushion the area of skin otherwise directly in Z contact with the air hose so as to minimize the concentration of pressure on the skin and the possibility of injury. Such devices have also attempted to Oprovide a cushion material which allows evaporation of perspiration and other moisture from the skin surface. In an effort to satisfy these objectives, such devices have often been formed from foam-like materials in a thin-sheet or hollow, tubular form. None of the devices previously known have satisfactorily accomplished these objectives. The sheet type devices have been designed to wrap around the air hose to create an outer cushion. These designs have typically increased the stiffness of the air hose resulting in an increased radius t of curvature which causes less of the air hose to be in contact with the Spatient's ear.

The problem with such approaches is that the smaller contact area results in an increased pressure, equal to the weight of the supported air hose, on the patient's skin at the point of contact of the hose and foam-cover combination.

This effectively increases the likelihood of pressure sores, abrasions, irritation and discomfort instead of alleviating such problems. Also, the foam materials often disclosed in prior inventions include open-celled, elastomeric foams which do not adequately allow the circulation of fresh air around the air supply hoses and the skin of the patient. Thus, use of such materials creates a dampened, moist environment due to perspiration, bathing of the patient, and moisture from compromised blisters, abrasions and pressure sores, all of which create conditions conducive to serious infection. Such damp or wet skin is more easily injured by the prolonged, continuous use of the air supply hoses. Other devices formed from hollow, tubular foam materials suffer from similar deficiencies. U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,139 to Marshall et. al, U.S. Pat. No.

4,949,733 to Sampson, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,805 to Nutter appear to disclose devices of this type.

Patient's whose medical condition necessitates the continuous, prolonged use of ear and head mounted nasal cannula have long been exposed to the risk of serious discomfort, irritation, injury, and unhealing pressure sores resulting from the pressure of air hoses resting against the patient's skin. None of the previous devices have adequately prevented and protected the patient from these problems which gives rise to increased risks of such injuries and problems due to use of nasal air supply hoses. Thus, it is apparent that a need exists for an apparatus and method which not only prevents such problems and injuries but also which protects existing injuries from further injury and irritation and which promotes healing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method and apparatus for protecting the sensitive skin of a patient from discomfort, irritation, and injury associated with the use of ear, head and face-mounted nasal air supply hoses. The invention o also promotes healing of injuries associated with the use of such air supply hoses. A generally rectangular, elongated strip of flexible fabric is wrapped around a section of the air supply hose and fastened along overlapping edges of the strip. The flexible fabric incorporates an outer cover of lambs wool or 0 similar material and an inner padding of slightly adhesive or high-friction Z material, such as a thin layer of latex rubber or releasable adhesive to inhibit longitudinal slippage or movement of the protective cover along the air hose.

The strip of material is supplied either in pre-cut lengths of a predetermined size or as a roll arranged for easy dispensing and convenient storage. Pieces of a desired length can be cut from the roll into predetermined, adjustable lengths, with the remainder conveniently stored for later use. A sufficient length is cut to cover the segment of the air hose which would otherwise be in contact with the sensitive skin of a patient's ear. The roll also is adaptable to incorporate weakened lateral parting lines in the fabric so that a patient or Shealth care worker can manually and conveniently tear off a predetermined N length of the material without the need for a cutting or severing tool. The predetermined length of the strip is wrapped around and fastened to the hose along overlapping or confronting longitudinal opposing margins at the side edges of the strip with either hook-and-loop type or adhesive attachment fastening strips. The opposing margins of the strip of material are configured to either overlap or to confront one another such that when the strip is wrapped around the air supply hose, the attachment or fastening strips confront one another and can then be pressed together to releasably fasten the protective cover to the hose.

The protective cover also incorporates a plurality of pairs of release tabs extending from the overlapping edges which are pulled apart to facilitate removal of the cover from the air hose, or sufficient area of strip without the releasable to allow a person to grip in order to pull to separate the releasable strip The strip can be re-attached by pressing it together along the releasable strip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention incorporates a protective cover apparatus which obviates many of the problems associated with the use of ear-mounted nasal air supply hoses in adults, infants and small children having medical conditions requiring the medicinal use of gas supplies such as, for example, pure oxygen. The problems encountered are easily solved by the invention disclosed herein which can be inexpensively manufactured, either in mass quantity or on a custom order basis, from a variety of readily available materials and which is easily affixed to the air supply hoses to provide an air-circulating, moisture evaporating protective cushion around the hose.

One object of this invention is to adequately protect the sensitive skin surrounding the ears, head and face of an adult, infant or young child from discomfort, irritation, infection and injury resulting from the use of the air supply hoses worn by a patient about the top and back of the ears and other parts of the head and face. Such protection is especially intended to eliminate the occurrence of pressure sores, abrasions and similar injuries which are Ntypically associated with use of such hoses.

O Another object of the invention is to facilitate and promote the healing of Z preexisting pressure sores, abrasions and infections resulting from the use of nasal air supply hoses which are worn about the head, face and ears of patients and supported by draping a segment of the hose about the top and back of the patient's ears.

Additional novel features, advantages over previous devices and objects of the inventor will become readily apparent from the embodiments described by the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SReferring now to the drawings, the protective cover according to the present N invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and shown generally by reference numeral FIG. 1 reflects the cushioned protective cover 10 fastened to an air hose arranged with a nasal cannula positioned beneath the nasal openings of a patient and with the hose draped about the patient's face and head. A segment of the hose is shown supported by the top and back of the patient's ear. The protective cover 10 incorporates an "outer" surface 40 of soft material such as lambs woo or artificial fleece which rests against the especially sensitive skin surrounding the top and back of the ear. As can be understood from FIG. 2, the protective cover is formed from a strip of generally rectangular and elongated fabric material. Here in Figure 2, 2 forms are shown with one a rectangular configuration one with a curved sides. Form B effectively integrates pull tabs (the wider parts of margin 20 and 20') and eases separation by elderly patients who may have less manual dexterity.

As is described in more detail below, the lateral width of such material between the releasable fasteners, 12, is of sufficient width to encircle the predetermined circumference of the outer diameter of the particular air hose in use and then enable fastening, as seen in Figure3. Note however that Figure 3 is not to scale.

The fabric material of the strip consists of any of a wide-variety of readily available loosely woven fabrics including, but not limited to, cotton, polyester fleece, lambs wool and similar materials. A loosely woven material is preferable so as to cause air to freely circulate within and around the material in a drying action which is accomplished by absorption, wicking away and evaporation of perspiration and moisture from the skin of the patient. The pile is preferably formed with an uncompressed thickness of between approximately 2-10 mm. Other uncompressed thicknesses work equally well in facilitating air circulation so long as corresponding adjustments are made to the looseness or tightness of the weave to ensure a sufficient amount of cushioning and air circulation. The weave of the strands may be adjusted to accommodate the proper amount of circulation for varying uncompressed thicknesses of the pile. This pile configuration minimizes or completely eliminates the dampened, moist environment which would exist without the o protective cover 10. As stated, this environment is typically due to perspiration, bathing of the patient, and moisture from compromised blisters, Nabrasions and pressure sores, all of which can create conditions conducive to >injury and serious infection. Additionally, the pile configuration wicks away and 0 evaporates moisture on the skin and can thereby completely dry otherwise Z damp or wet skin.

OThe looseness of the weave of the fabric strip and pile, the use of a material that encourages wicking (wool or artificial polyester fleece), and the uncompressed thickness of the pile are also important for at least three additional novel functions of the protective cover 10. First, these characteristics impart the proper amount of flexibility to the protective cover The cover 10 must remain at least as flexible as the air hose which is to be covered for the reasons stated below. Secondly, the fabric forming the strip t must also be of a relatively loose weave so that it too is, at a minimum, as Sflexible as the air hose to be covered. This maximized flexibility of the N protective cover 10 ensures that its the radius of curvature, and that of the cover 10 and hose combination, is minimized to be no less flexible than the hose itself.

The interior surface, 30, of the strip is coated or padded with a high-friction material which is adapted to inhibit longitudinal movement and slippage of the protective cover 10 along the length of air hose during normal use. The material selected to coat the inner surface must be at least as flexible as the materials incorporated for the cover, the fabric strip and the air hose for all of the same reasons already stated. The high-friction coating or padding materials preferably include, but are not limited to, latex rubber and releasable adhesives, and hook and pile material which are applied to the interior surface of the strip. Any of these materials can be applied to coat or pad either the entire inner surface or just selected portions of the surface. As an example for illustration purposes, a releasable hook and pile, 12, is used in spaced apart lateral portions of the inner surface, 30, so as to save the expense of incorporating unnecessary material while at the same time providing a tight enough fit around the hose material, 50, to inhibit the slippage and longitudinal movement of the cover 10 along the air hose. Either the latex rubber, releasable adhesive, hook and pile or similar materials are preferably sprayed, sewn, glued or otherwise deposited onto the inner surface of the strip to completely or partially cover the inner surface.

As a result of this highly flexible configuration of protective cover 10, a larger segment of the covered air hose rests against the patient's ear, face and head so as to maximize the distribution of weight of the supported air hose across a larger surface area of the patient's skin. This, in turn, minimizes the pressure exerted against the patient's skin at any particular point along the segment of supported air hose. The minimized pressure against the patient's skin reduces or altogether eliminates the possibility of discomfort, irritation, blisters, pressure sores, abrasion or other injuries typically associated with the use of such air hoses. The combination of the reduced pressure against the skin and the free circulation of air though and around the protective cover 10, and wicking the moisture away, offers the patient considerable protection from o such problems. Additionally, faster healing is possible when the protective cover 10 of the present invention is used by patients already suffering from csuch problems even though the patients may be medically required to continue use of the otherwise offending head or ear-mounted nasal air supply 0 hoses.

z Still referring to FIG. 2, it can be further understood that the strip incorporates first margin, 20, and opposite second margin, 20', disposed longitudinally along the opposite edges of strip. In this particular embodiment, margins are preferably approximately 5-20mm. When the strip is wrapped around the air hose, as will be apparent with reference to FIG. 3, the opposite margins extend laterally from the strip in a confronting relationship. In this configuration, the first and second attachment strips, 12, are then pressed together to releasable fasten the strip to the hose. The attachment strips are preferably formed either with a hook and loop type material such as, e.g., SVelcro, or with any of a wide-variety of well-known releasable adhesives. This N margin allows a the user to grip the opposing faces and separate them easily.

The cover 10 is also replaced when the pile of the outer cover surface, has become permanently matted or compressed due to excessive wetness and or continuous, prolonged use by the patient such that it no longer provides the desired cushioning, weight distribution and air circulation.

Embodiments of the present invention incorporating release a good margin, 20', to grasp are particularly suitable for increasing the convenience to patients and health care personnel experiencing arthritic conditions, dexterity impairments or other weaknesses in the hands and fingers. In form B, in figure 2, while the ends are sized large enough for convenient gripping at the ends, but the size is also minimized between the ends so as to lessen any possible discomfort to the patient.. A further benefit is that the wider end margins allow separation of the sides to begin at an end and once begun it is easier to separate the entire strip.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the protective cover apparatus can be manufactured either in pre-cut strips of a predetermined length, see for example FIGS. 2, 3, or in a roll configuration as in fig. 5. In the precut configuration of strip, the predetermined length is preferably approximately 12cm. This predetermined length is approximately equal to the length needed to protect, cushion and cover the patient's sensitive skin which covers the top and back of the ears of the average adult patient. This predetermined length is adjustable to be longer or shorter to accommodate protection and coverage of other parts of the head and face, including, but not limited to, the jawline, cheeks and upper lip. Other pre-cut lengths suitable for use with larger or smaller adults, children and infants having varied head, face and ear anatomy are also contemplated by the present invention. As an alternative to the precut cover 10 of a predetermined length, the above-described protective covers can be fabricated in a roll configuration, for easy dispensing and convenient storage as in Fig 6.

In the roll configuration the protective covers 10, are preferably formed to have the desired, predetermined length by unrolling a selected portion of the o strips from the roll and cutting and severing with scissors or other cutting tool the predetermined length of the protective covers from the roll. More Npreferably, the strips are configured on the roll to include longitudinally spaced >apart weakened, lateral parting lines (one is market on fig6) adapted to enable 0 easy, manual separation of the predetermined length of strip from the roll. In Z the preferred embodiment, the strips in the roll configuration are laterally prescored or otherwise weakened, at equal, spaced apart longitudinal distances equal to the predetermined distance of approximately three inches. As before, the predetermined distance is adjustable to accommodate the head, face and ear anatomy of particular patients. With this configuration, protective covers are quickly and efficiently separable from the roll without the need for cutting and severing tools. The non-scored embodiment is preferable for applications involving use of the protective covers with a variety of patients for whom various lengths are needed. Incorporation of the pre-scored or otherwise weakened lateral parting lines into any of the above embodiments are Sespecially suitable for use of the protective covers 10, in a convenient roll N configuration by patients and health care personnel experiencing arthritic conditions, dexterity impairments or other weaknesses in the hands and fingers.

All of the above-illustrated embodiments contemplate selection of medical grade fabric strips, outer covers and attachment strip materials which are compatible for manufacture and sale as sterilized and unsterilized strips of predetermined length or in the roll configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF USE A method for using the above-described embodiments of the protective cover as described herein and in the accompanying drawings and figures is also contemplated by the present invention. Initially, the ear-mounted nasal air supply hose is selected for use with a particular patient. Next, a particular configuration of the protective covers 10, is selected which incorporates a predetermined longitudinal length and width, an outer cover of polyester fleece, lambs wool or similar material an inner high-friction surface material opposing first and second margins and first and second attachment strips.

Next, a segment of the protective cover 10, formed in the roll configuration (fig 6) is extended or dispensed from the roll. A predetermined length of the protective cover 10, is then separated from the roll. For the embodiments incorporating the pre-scored or weakened parting line, the strip is manually separated from the remainder of the roll,. Otherwise, the predetermined length of strip is cut and severed from the roll using a pair of scissors or other cutting tool. The protective cover 10, is then wrapped around the segment of the air hose with either margins extending laterally from strip or with margins overlapping one another on strip (Fig In either embodiment, first and second attachment strips, 12, are pressed against one another to fasten the protective cover 10, to the segment of the air hose, 50, to come in contact with a region of the patient's sensitive skin (As per fig 1 or as required).

o With the protective cover 10, affixed to the air hose, the ear-mounted nasal air supply cannula is inserted into the nasal passages and the air hose is donned about the head, face and ears of the patient. The protective cover 10, is removed and replaced by pulling the margins apart in opposite directions and 0 then peeling the attachment strips apart from one another until the protective Z cover 10, is fully separated from the air hose. A new protective cover 10, is fastened to the air hose using the above-described steps to replace an old cover 10, which has become soiled, dampened or otherwise unserviceable due to bathing of the patient, infection drainage from previous sores, burst blisters, abrasions or other injuries, or when the pile of the outer cover has become permanently matted or compressed due to continuous, prolonged use by the patient such that it no longer provides the desired cushioning, weight distribution and air circulation.

Each of the above-described various embodiments and configurations of the Spresent invention are combinable in any of a large number of comparable and N similar variations and configurations without departing substantially from the scope of the invention. Many of the above-described embodiments and configurations have been described with specific reference to ear-mounted nasal air supply hoses. However, the invention is equally suitable for solving the same types of problems associated with the use of other various types of head and face mounted air supply devices. Similarly, the invention is easily configured for use with medicinal fluid administration devices configured for use elsewhere on the body of a patient including, but not limited to, the ears, head and face.

The preceding description of the preferred embodiments and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limitation; the invention being defined by the claims.

Claims (3)

1. 2. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein: said soft material covering is configured with a loosely woven pile having an uncompressed thickness of approximately between 2 and
2. 3. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein: said attachment strips include respective portions of hook and pile material, incorporated into the design of the inner (ie surface not contacting the skin) surface of the strip. The hook and pile material being adapted to releasably hook together around the plastic hose in a manner that secures the pad in place, and leaves the without hook and pile inwards ad the other (ie soft face without the hook and pile material facing outwards in contact of the skin). See Fig 3.
3. 4. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein: the dimensions are such that a margin or tabs, of 5-25mm are available to allow access for fingers to grasp the edges and separate said cloth strip, are available along an edges of the strip and projecting laterally from where the re-sealable material (eg hook and pile).. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein: there is a gap of between 5 and 20mm between the attachment areas (for example hook and pile strips), this gap is such that is allows the plastic pipe to fit through the loop formed when attaching the hose, and be secured in a on manner that allows limited movement of the pipe longitudinally relative to the 0 strip.. Slimitation; the invention being defined by the claims. 0