WO2022251922A1

WO2022251922A1 - Nasal/oral gas cannula

Info

Publication number: WO2022251922A1
Application number: PCT/AU2022/050549
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurence Nash Kalnin
Original assignee: Laurence Nash Kalnin
Priority date: 2021-06-04
Filing date: 2022-06-03
Publication date: 2022-12-08

Abstract

A nasal/oral gas cannula (1) has a hollow manifold body (2) extending between left and right hand sides (4,5), the body having a nasal side (6) and an opposing oral side (7). A pair of spaced apart nasal delivery stubs (8) extend a predetermined distance away from the nasal side (6) of body (2) where stubs (8) have an open distal end in fluid communication with the manifold body (2). One or more apertures (10) are disposed in or about the oral side (7) of body (2) such that at least one fluid inlet (12) is configured to introduce gas into the manifold body (2). In an alternative embodiment, body (51) is configured to encircle the oral cavity (19) of a person (21).

Description

NASAL/ORAL GAS CANNULA

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to air and concentrated oxygen delivery and, in particular, to an improved nasal/oral cannula.

[0002] Invention has been primarily developed to assist in delivering air and concentrated oxygen to a person requiring oxygen supplementation and when they are asleep and will be described hereinafter with reference to this particular application. However, it will be appreciated the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and is applicable where a user breathes through their mouth either periodically or constantly.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The delivery of air concentrated oxygen is very well-known. An air or concentrated oxygen supply is connected, via a regulator, to one or more any delivery tubes. It will be appreciated that the air or concentrated oxygen supply can be from a fixed cylinder or an oxygen concentrator or generator, for example. Facemasks configured to fit over the nose and mouth of the person are well known to deliver air or concentrated oxygen, however, these are bulky and are easily displaced during sleep such as when a person may roll on their side. Furthermore, they are known to be unsafe particularly in cases where users vomit and the mask retains the vomit.

[0004] Commonly, this problem has been addressed by using a nasal cannula.

Here, the delivery tubes typically terminate at each end of a hollow circular elongate delivery barrel. Having the air delivery tubes terminate at each end of the delivery barrel minimises any pressure gradient that may arise from having a single delivery tube terminating at one end of the barrel.

[0005] The delivery barrel includes a pair of spaced apart delivery stubs or tubes that project outwardly therefrom. The tubes have a predetermined length and allow air or oxygen to flow from the barrel through the distal ends of the tubes and into a respective nostril of a person. In this way, the delivery stubs are disposed at least some distance toward or into the nostrils of the person with the barrel disposed below the nose on the top lip of the person. [0006] In use, air and/or concentrated oxygen is provided through the air delivery tubes and into the delivery barrel hollow body. The air or concentrated oxygen then exits the nasal stubs for inhalation through each nostril. To retain the delivery stubs in or adjacent the nostrils, the air delivery tube at each end is looped over the ears of the person preventing movement of the barrel away from the face.

[0007] A variation on the conventional nasal cannula described above is provided by Salter Laboratories (http://old.salterlabs.com/documents/SLC-8708.pdf). The conventional nasal cannula is modified to include a single lumen oral trunk extending from the delivery barrel away from the nasal stubs. The lumen is significantly larger in length and diameter to the nasal stubs and the lumen is intended to be disposed adjacent the lips of a person. The lumen is resiliently deformable to take into consideration different sized and shaped upper lips between people. Unfortunately, this solution is mostly only practical when the person lays on their back especially when they are asleep. It is understood that the lumen deforms or bends when the face of the person is contacted into a pillow or they wipe their mouth when asleep, for example, which can disadvantageously re-positions the outlet of the lumen away from the oral cavity.

[0008] The object of the invention is a desire to provide a nasal/oral cannula that overcomes or substantially ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a nasal/oral gas cannula comprising: a hollow manifold body extending between left hand and right hand sides, the body having a nasal side extending intermediate the left and right hand sides and an opposing oral side; a pair of spaced apart nasal delivery stubs extending a predetermined distance away from the nasal side of the manifold body, the delivery stubs having an open distal end and in fluid communication with the manifold body; one or more apertures disposed in or about the oral side of the manifold body; and at least one fluid inlet configured to introduce gas into the manifold body. [00010] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a nasal/oral gas cannula comprising: a hollow generally oval shaped manifold body having opposing left and right hand portions, opposing nasal side and chin side portions and inner and outer facing portions; a pair of spaced apart upper fluid inlets disposed on the nasal side portion; a left hand fluid inlet and a right hand fluid inlet, the left and right hand inlets being disposed at or adjacent respective left and right hand side portions of the body; a pair of spaced apart nasal stubs extending away from the nasal side outer facing portion, the stubs being disposed intermediate the fluid inlets; one or more nasal side apertures disposed on the inner face of the nasal side of the body; and one or more chin side apertures disposed on the inner face of the chin side of the body.

[00011] It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously provided a nasal/oral gas cannula that allows for air and/or concentrated oxygen to be directed simultaneously toward the oral cavity of a person. In this way, when the person breathes through their mouth or snores during sleep, augmented air or oxygen is still supplied to the person. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that by using upper nasal and lower oral chambers that each can have their own air or concentrated oxygen source allowing for different pressures to be delivered for nasal breathing as opposed to breathing through the oral cavity including when snoring.

[00012] Yet further, it will be appreciated that by engaging a manifold body having a polygonal cross-section this improves retention of the delivery stubs in the nostrils and the apertures over the oral cavity. In one preferred embodiment, the cannula body encircles the mouth of a person and apertures deliver fluid across the entire mouth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00013] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[00014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a nasal/oral cannula according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

[00015] Fig. 2 is a front view of the nasal/oral cannula of Fig.1 ; [00016] Fig. 3 is an elevated perspective view of the cannula of Fig.1 in use by a person;

[00017] Fig. 4 is a front view of a nasal/oral cannula according to another preferred embodiment;

[00018] Fig. 5 is a front view of a nasal/oral cannula according to a third preferred embodiment;

[00019] Fig. 6 is a side view of a nasal/oral cannula according to a fourth preferred embodiment;

[00020] Fig. 7 is a side view of an oxygen supply for use with the nasal/oral cannula of Fig.6 and

[00021] Fig. 8 is a perspective view from below of a nasal/oral cannula according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

[00022] Fig. 9 is front view of the cannula of Fig. 8;

[00023] Fig. 10 is inverted plan view of the cannula of Fig. 8;

[00024] Fig. 11 is right hand side view of the cannula of Fig. 8;

[00025] Fig. 12 is a perspective view from below of a nasal/oral cannula according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

[00026 Fig. 13 is a perspective view from below of a nasal/oral cannula according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

[00027] Fig. 14 is a front partial cut-away view of a nasal/oral cannula according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

[00028] Fig. 15 show the nasal/oral cannula of Fig. 14 disposed on a person; and

[00029] Fig. 16 is a left hand side perspective view of a nasal/oral cannula according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00030] Referring to the drawings generally, it will be appreciated that like reference numerals have been used to denote like components unless expressly noted otherwise. Turning firstly to Figs.1 to 3 there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the nasal/oral gas cannula 1 where Fig.3 shows the cannula 1 providing air or concentrated oxygen to a person from an air or oxygen source (not illustrated).

[00031] The nasal/oral cannula 1 includes a hollow manifold body 2 having an internal cavity 3. The body 2 of this preferred embodiment is elongate and substantially cylindrical in cross-section. The body 2 includes a left hand side 4 and a right hand side 5 with an upper or nasal side 6 that extends intermediate the left 4 & right 5 hand sides. The opposing side of the body 2 to the upper nasal side 6 is an oral side 7.

[00032] A pair of spaced apart nasal delivery stubs 8 are disposed on the nasal side 6 of the body 2 and extend away from the body 2 a predetermined distance in preferred embodiments. Each delivery stub 8 is tubular and includes an open distal end 9 that is in fluid communication with the internal cavity 3 of body 2.

The stubs 8 may be straight or tapered and in the preferred embodiments have a diameter of between 3 mm and 13 mm and the stubs 8 are spaced apart by a distance of between 8 mm to 15 mm as desired.

[00033] Three spaced apart apertures 10 are located in the oral side 7 of the manifold body 2. The apertures 10 are substantially circular in shape, but need not be, and open up in a direction opposite to the direction of projection of the delivery stubs 8. In the first preferred embodiment, the apertures 10 are longitudinally offset from an inlet end 11 of the delivery stubs 8. That is, the apertures 10 are not aligned with the inlet end 11 of the delivery stubs 8.

[00034] A fluid inlet for delivering air or concentrated oxygen is disposed at each of the left-hand 4 & right hand 5 sides to provide air or oxygen into body cavity 3. It will be appreciated that a single fluid inlet 4 or 5 can be provided if desired, however, providing air or oxygen from each side 4 & 5 minimises any density gradient in the delivered air or oxygen fluid.

[00035] In the preferred embodiment of Fig.1 , the nasal/oral cannula 1 is a singularly formed or moulded device whereby the delivery stubs 8 and fluid inlets 4, 5 are integrally formed. It will be appreciated that in other preferred embodiments, not illustrated, air or oxygen delivery tubes 12 can be releasably connected to the left- hand 4 & right hand 5 sides of the body 2. Most preferably, the nasal/oral cannula 1 is moulded from medical grade silicone rubber.

[00036] As best seen in Fig.3, air tubes 12 containing air or concentrated oxygen are provided by tube 13 which bifurcates into tubes 12 A and 12 B. Each of the air tubes 12 A & 12 B are looped over the ears 14 of a person 15 engaged with the nasal/oral cannula 1. After looping over ears 14, air tubes 12 A & 12 B connect to respective right 5 & left 4 hand sides of the body 2 so as to deliver air into the internal cavity 3 thereof. A retaining clip 14 is disposed under the chin 20 of the person 15 used to constrain air tubes 12 A & 12 B together so as to maintain the loop around the ears 14.

[00037] It will be appreciated that manifold body 2, whilst cylindrical in this preferred embodiment, can be polygonal or otherwise include a flat face along side 16 of the body 2 that is contiguous with the upper lip 17 of the person 15 (see further preferred embodiments described below). In this way, a larger support area is provided by body 2 against upper lip 17 to prevent movement of cannula body 2 when the person 15 moves, particularly when they are asleep.

[00038] In use, delivery stubs 8 are disposed in the nostrils 18 of the person 15 and a continuous flow of air or concentrated oxygen is provided via air tubes 12 A & 12 B. Simultaneously, air or oxygen flow is from the internal body cavity 3 through apertures 10 over the top lip 17 of the person 15 toward and over the oral cavity 19 (shown closed in Fig.3). In this way, when the person 15 breathes through their mouth or snores during sleep air is not being breathed through the nostrils 18 from delivery stubs 8 and it is provided from apertures 10.

[00039] This prevents person 15 from being deprived of oxygen when they are breathing through their mouth 19 rather than their nose 18. Further, the apertures 10 are continually positioned to provide air or concentrated oxygen to the oral cavity 19 and do not provide an additional discomfort such as a tube extending into the mouth 19 is known in the prior art.

[00040] Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown a second preferred embodiment of the nasal/oral cannula 1. Here, the apertures 10 are formed from rectangular slot-like cut outs. The cut out portions of the apertures 10 provided in this preferred embodiment have a larger area opening than the distal end 9 of the delivery stubs 8 which allows for a higher volume of air or concentrated oxygen to flow through the apertures 10 than the delivery stubs 8 to compensate for the diversion of the air or concentrated oxygen being projected from cavity three towards and over the oral cavity 19. Preferably, the nasal stubs 8 provide approximately 40% of external fluid flow therethrough, and the apertures 10 provide for the remaining approximately 60% of air flow. This partially compensates the proximity of the apertures 10 relative to the mouth compared with the nasal stubs 8 inserted or nearly inserted into the nostrils 18. [00041] Fig. 5 shows another preferred embodiment of the nasal/oral cannula 1. In this embodiment, the apertures 10, which can be circular or square or any preferred shape, each include an enclosing rim or lip 21. Each rim 21 extends outwardly away from the manifold body 2 by a relatively small distance which corresponds in this embodiment to approximately two or three body wall thicknesses in length. Also in this embodiment, the length of the lips 21 away from the body is approximately one quarter or less than the length of the nasal stubs 8 and in some preferred embodiments less than one quarter of the diameter of the body 2. In this way, it will be appreciated that rims 21 can provide initial guidance to the flow of air or concentrated oxygen from the apertures 10. Preferably, the rims 21 are integrally formed with manifold body 2 from the same medical grade silicone.

[00042] Referring now to Fig.6, there is shown a further preferred embodiment of the nasal/oral cannula 1. This embodiment is very similar to that shown in Fig.1 , however, the hollow manifold body 3 includes a divider 24 disposed therein to define an upper nasal side chamber 22 and a lower nasal side chamber 23. The chambers 22 & 23 are not in fluid communication with each other and in this preferred embodiment, the divider 24 dissects body cavity 3 from the left-hand side 4 to the right-hand side 5 intermediate the inlet end 11 of the delivery stubs 8 and the apertures 10.

[00043] A first air tube 12 a is connected to the left-hand side 4 of the body 2 to deliver air into the upper nasal side chamber 22 to be passed through delivery stubs 8 into the nostrils 18 of the person 15. Similarly, air tube 12 B is connected to the right-hand side 5 of the body 2 to deliver air into the lower oral side chamber 23, such air to be passed through the apertures 10 and directed toward or over the oral cavity 19.

[00044] Most advantageously, air or concentrated oxygen can be supplied from a single source (not illustrated) which is then split into tubes 12 A and 12 B where each of those tubes are regulated for example by differing diameters to provide different fluid supply pressures out of each of the delivery stubs 8 and the apertures 10. In this way, a relatively high flow of fluid can be provided from apertures 10 than from delivery stubs 8 that are inserted into the nostrils 18. [00045] Also advantageous, use of the nasal/oral cannula at 1 allows the colour of the lips of person 15 to be visually inspected which is significantly restricted with the use of a conventional oxygen mask or similar. A person 15 is also able to talk and eat, as well as wear reading glasses for example with nasal/oral cannula 1 engaged which is generally more comfortable than with a mask.

Although not illustrated, it will be appreciated that in other preferred embodiments of the invention the delivery stubs 8 shown in Fig.1 are not provided so that all air or oxygen flow through any delivery tubes 12 A & 12 B exits through apertures 10 toward or over the oral cavity 19.

[00046] In other preferred embodiments, elongate manifold body 2 is curved along flat face 16 and extend substantially entirely across the upper lip 17 (continuing to the sides of the mouth 19) so as to conform to the shape of the face of the person 15 to better retain the nasal/oral cannula 1.

[00047] From the description of the preferred embodiments above, the nasal/oral cannula 1 can provide air or concentrated oxygen to be directed simultaneously toward the oral cavity of a person is well as their nostrils 18. As a result, when the person 15 breathes through their mouth 19 or snores during sleep, air or concentrated oxygen is still supplied via the apertures 10.

[00048] In the preferred embodiment of Fig.6 use of the upper nasal 22 and lower oral 23 chambers that each have their own independently regulated air or concentrated oxygen source allows for different pressures to be delivered for nasal breathing as opposed to breathing through the oral cavity including when snoring.

The use of the flat face 16 on the body 2 further allows more stable positioning of the manifold body 2.

[00049] Referring now to Fig. 8, is shown a perspective view from below of a nasal/oral cannula 1 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figs 9 to 11 respectively show front, plan and right hand side views respectively of the cannula 1 of Fig. 8. It is noted the left hand side view is a mirror of the right hand side view.

[00050] The cannula 1 has a body 2 that in cross section is substantially rectangular with tapered ends 4,5 terminating at air delivery tube 12A, 12B connectors. The side 16 of the body contiguous with the lip 17 when in use may be slightly curved intermediate the nasal 6 and oral sides 7 and relatively stably conform to an upper lip 17. The curvature is relatively gentle and in this preferred embodiment results in the distance of faces 16 and 21 intermediate the nasal and oral sides decreases from each end 3,4 to some minimum intermediate. In the embodiment shown, the curvature results in a side 16 thickness decrease of approximately 15%-20%, however, this can be more or less as desired.

[00051] The lower oral side 7 of the body is curved upwardly between body ends 4, 5. It is seen a relatively flat oral side 7 is provided intermediate the body side 16 and outwardly facing opposing side 25. This advantageously conforms to the shape to the lip 17 of person 15 to more evenly and efficiently deliver air over the oral cavity. This has been found to provide greater comfort to the person 15.

[00052] Apertures 10 in oral side 7 of the body 2 include projecting rims 21.

Here, rims 21 are truncated right cylindrical shaped and terminate distal side 7 at an angle to the axis of elongation of the rims 21. This provides a sloped end for the rims 21 which goes from a maximal length adjacent face 25 towards side 16. Further, nasal delivery stubs 8 are slanted towards side 16 to terminate distal body 2 beyond side 16 so that when side 16 is contiguous with lip 17 stubs 8 extend within nostrils 18. It will be appreciated that the rims 21 adjacent side 16 can be truncated or sloped so that rim 21 height at that point is insignificant or significantly less than the height of rim 21 adjacent body side 25.

[00053] Fig. 12 is a perspective view from below of a nasal/oral cannula according to another preferred embodiment of the invention which is similar to that of Fig. 8, however, the oral side 7 is substantially straight. A plurality of apertures 10 are disposed in the oral side 7 of the body 2. A diverter element or curtain 30 is disposed substantially along an edge 31 of the oral side 7 adjacent body side 25.

The diverter 30 advantageously minimises movement of fluid from apertures 10 away from an oral cavity when in use. It will be appreciated that the diverter 30 can have any preferred height away from oral side 2 and is most preferably relatively closely adjacent apertures 10. The embodiment of Fig. 13 differs from that of Fig. 12 by having significantly fewer and larger apertures 10.

[00054] Fig. 14 is a front partial cut-away view of a nasal cannula 50 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention and Fig. 15 shows the cannula 50 disposed on a person 15. Cannula 50 includes a hollow generally oval shaped manifold body 51 having opposing left 52 and right 53 hand portions, and a nasal side 54 and opposing chin side 55 portions. The body 51 has inner 56 and outer 57 facing portions where the inner portions are configured in use to surround the oral cavity 19 of the person 15.

[00055] Upper fluid inlets 58, 59 are disposed on the nasal side 54 portion and extend away therefrom. The cannula 50 further includes a left hand fluid inlet 60 and a right hand fluid inlet 61 which are disposed at or adjacent respective left 52 and right hand 53 side portions of the body 51. The upper fluid inlets 58, 59 converge with the left 60 and right hand 61 fluid inlets at external fluid conduits 12A, 12B.

These are looped over the ears 14 of the person 15.

[00056] A pair of spaced apart nasal stubs 8 extend away from the nasal side 54 outer facing portion 57 where stubs 8 are located intermediate the fluid inlets 58,59. A plurality of apertures 10 are disposed on inner portion 56 and are spaced apart along both the nasal 54 and chin 55 sides of body 51. Each aperture includes a rim 21 projecting away from portion 56. Additionally, an aperture 10 and rim 21 projecting away from inner face portion 56 is disposed at each of the left 52 and right 53 hand sides of the body 2. Any preferred number of apertures 10 can be used.

[00057] In this way, it will be appreciated this preferred embodiment advantageously encircles the mouth 19 of a person 15 providing fluid source from rims 21 about the whole mouth 19. This is of assistance in many circumstances such as when breathing through the side of the mouth.

[00058] Also shown in the preferred embodiment of Fig. 14, cannula 50 includes a chin strap 65 mounted to the body 51 at or adjacent the left 52 and right 53 hand body portions. The strap 65, as seen in Fig. 15, extends under the chin 20 of person 21 thereby securing the cannula 50 in place, together with fluid lines 12A,

12B looped over the ears of the person 15. Additionally, the cannula 50 further includes a third chin strap member 66 extending from the chin side portion 55 of the body 51 and is configured to be secured to the chin strap 65 extending intermediate the left 52 and right 53 hand sides. Preferably, the chin straps 65, 66 are adjustable in length or are replaceable.

[00059] Referring to Fig. 16, there is shown a nasal/oral cannula 50 that is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 14 except chin straps 65, 66 are not used. In this preferred embodiment, cannula 50 is disposed about the oral cavity 19 of person 15 and fluid tubes 12A, 12B secured over the ears 14. In order to stabilise the location of the cannula 50, a head sock 70 is placed about the head of person 15 to retain fluid inlets 58, 59, 60, 61 and fluid tubes 12A, 12B. It can be seen sock 70 includes releasable attachment means 71 to allow placement on a person 21 and this can be advantageous with burns and trauma victims, as well as presenting a more comfortable option to a person 15.

[00060] The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term “comprising” (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “including” or “having” and not in the exclusive sense of “consisting only of”.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A nasal/oral gas cannula comprising: a hollow manifold body extending between left hand and right hand sides, the body having a nasal side extending intermediate the left and right hand sides and an opposing oral side; a pair of spaced apart nasal delivery stubs extending a predetermined distance away from the nasal side of the manifold body, the delivery stubs having an open distal end and in fluid communication with the manifold body; one or more apertures disposed in or about the oral side of the manifold body; and at least one fluid inlet configured to introduce gas into the manifold body.

2. A nasal/oral cannula according to claim 1 wherein the oral side of the manifold body is curved such that the distance of the manifold body intermediate the nasal and oral faces is larger at the body left and right hand sides than a point intermediate.

3. A nasal/oral cannula according to claim 1 or 2 including one fluid inlet disposed at each of the left and right hand sides of the manifold body.

4. A nasal/oral cannula according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the manifold body is configured to receive air or concentrated oxygen via the at least one fluid inlet and allow same to flow through the delivery stubs and the one or more apertures.

5. A nasal/oral cannula according to any one of claims 1 to 4 including a plurality of spaced apart apertures, each aperture having a circular or rectangular shape and/or being a slot.

6. A nasal/oral cannula according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each of the one or more apertures includes a lip or rim disposed thereabout, each lip or rim extending away from the oral side of body a predetermined distance.

7. A nasal/oral cannula according to claim 6 wherein each lip or rim extends a distance away from the manifold body by an amount corresponding to between one and three times a manifold body oral side thickness; or extend one quarter or less the length of the nasal stubs.

8. A nasal/oral cannula according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the manifold body is substantially cylindrical or polygonal in cross-section.

9. A nasal/oral cannula according to any one of claims 1 to 8 including a deflector member disposed along at least part of the oral face adjacent the one or more apertures.

10. A nasal/oral cannula according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the nasal stubs are curved or slanted.

11. A nasal/oral cannula according to claim 6 or 7 wherein distal end of the aperture rims are truncated cylindrical shaped.

12. A nasal/oral cannula according to any one of claims 1 to 11 including: a manifold body divider disposed within the manifold body and extending intermediate the left and right hand sides of the body, the manifold body divider defining an upper nasal side chamber and a lower oral side chamber wherein the chambers are not in fluid communication with each other; wherein the nasal delivery stubs extend from the nasal side of the upper nasal side chamber of the manifold body and the one or more apertures are disposed in or about the oral side of the lower oral side chamber of the manifold body such that each of the upper nasal side and lower oral side chambers each include at least one fluid inlet configured to introduce gas into the manifold body.

13. A nasal/oral cannula according to claim 12 wherein the manifold body, delivery stubs and fluid inlet are integrally formed.

14. A nasal/oral cannula according to claim 12 or 13 including one fluid inlet disposed at each of the left and right hand sides of the each of the upper nasal side and lower oral side chambers of the manifold body.

15. A nasal/oral gas cannula comprising: a hollow generally oval shaped manifold body having opposing left and right hand portions, opposing nasal side and chin side portions and inner and outer facing portions; a pair of spaced apart upper fluid inlets disposed on the nasal side portion; a left hand fluid inlet and a right hand fluid inlet, the left and right hand inlets being disposed at or adjacent respective left and right hand side portions of the body; a pair of spaced apart nasal stubs extending away from the nasal side outer facing portion, the stubs being disposed intermediate the fluid inlets; one or more nasal side apertures disposed on the inner face of the nasal side of the body; and one or more chin side apertures disposed on the inner face of the chin side of the body.

16. A nasal/oral gas cannula according to claim 15 wherein the left and right hand fluid inlets each converge at an external fluid conduit.

17. A nasal/oral gas cannula according to claim 15 or 16 including a chin strap mounted to the body and extending between or adjacent the left and right hand body portions.

18. A nasal/oral gas cannula according to claim 17 wherein the chin strap is adjustable in length or is replaceable.

19. A nasal/oral gas cannula according to claim 17 or 18 including a third chin strap member extending from the chin side portion of the body and configured to be secured to the chin strap intermediate the left and right hand sides.

20. A nasal/oral gas cannula according to any one of claims 15 to 19 including at least one aperture on the inner face of the body at or adjacent the left and right hand portions thereof.

21. A nasal/oral gas cannula according to any one of claims 15, 16 or 20 including a head sock configured retain the upper fluid inlet and left and right hand side fluid inlets in place.