Nasal positive pressure device

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus for treating sleep apnoea. More specifically, the present invention provides a nasal positive airway pressure device which is reliable and comfortable to wear and, consequently, more acceptable to the patient. The nasal device has inflatable cuffs worn in a patient's nasal cavities. A pair of inflating tubes are in gaseous communication with the interior of a respective one of the inflatable cuffs and when pressurised gases flow through each of the inflating tubes, each of the cuffs inflate to retain the cuff within each of the nasal cavities of the patient.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient comprising or including: 
 a pair of nasal members, the distal end of each said nasal member defining a cannula,    a pair of inflatable cuff members, each said cuff member surrounding at least a portion of each of said cannula,    a pair of inflating tubes each in gaseous communication with the interior of a respective one of said cuff members, said communication provided through an aperture in each of said cuff members in which a respective one of said inflating tubes extends there through,    a source of pressurised gases connected to said inflating tubes to deliver pressurized air to the interior of said cuff members,    wherein, in use, when a respective one of said cuff members is inserted within a respective nasal cavity of said patient and when said pressurised gases flow through each of said inflating tubes, each of said cuff members inflate to retain said cuff members within each of said nasal cavity of said patient.    
     
     
         2 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according to  claim 1  wherein said device includes: 
 a pair of transportation means, and  
 connecting means,  
 wherein said nasal members are each connected to said transportation means to supply said gases to each of said cannula, and said connecting means is substantially Y-shaped, the arms of said Y-shaped connector adapted to be connected to a respective one of said pair of transportation means.  
 
     
     
         3 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according  claim 2  wherein said connecting means is adapted to be connected to a supply of said gases.  
     
     
         4 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according  claim 2  wherein said connecting means is connected to said gases supply by way of a gases pathway that is a flexible conduit that defines a passage for the flow of gases from said patient  
     
     
         5 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according to  claim 1  wherein said source of pressurised gases comprises a valve connected to each of said inflating tubes, and a gases compression means, which pushes gases through said valve and into said inflating tubes to inflate said cuffs.  
     
     
         6 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according to  claim 5  wherein said valve is a non-return valve.  
     
     
         7 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according to  claim 5  wherein said gases compression means is a syringe comprising or including: 
 a body part, and  
 reciprocating part, adapted to be connected and reciprocatable within said body part and a nib member,  
 wherein, in use, said body part is filled with gases from the ambient air by pulling said reciprocating part partially out of said body part drawing said gases into said body part, and inserting said nib into said inflating tubes and pushing said reciprocating part back into said body part causing said gases to be pushed past said valve and into said inflating tubes.  
 
     
     
         8 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according to  claim 1  wherein said source of pressurised gases is a pump mechanism comprising or including: 
 a first valve, receiving gases from the atmosphere,  
 a gases compartment holding said gases, and  
 a second valve connected to each of said inflating tubes, which said gases pass through on compression of said gases compartment and into said inflating tubes.  
 
     
     
         9 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according to  claim 8  wherein said first and second valves are non-return valves.  
     
     
         10 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according to  claim 1  wherein said pair of inflating tubes are flexible conduits of a small diameter that are fitted to and extend into a respective one of said inflatable cuffs.  
     
     
         11 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according to  claim 1  wherein said device includes: 
 humidification means in fluid communication with said supply of gases, adapted to humidify said gases, and  
 gases pathway in fluid communication with said humidification means and adapted to convey said gases to said gases pathway.  
 
     
     
         12 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a patient according to  claim 1  wherein said pair of nasal members have at least one aperture extending therethrough, said aperture acting as a vent of gases exhaled from said patients nasal cavities.