Ventilation interface for sleep apnea therapy

Abstract

The ventilation interface for sleep apnea therapy interfaces a ventilation device to the patient's airways. The ventilation interface includes a pair of nasal inserts made from flexible, resilient silicone which are oval shaped in cross-section and slightly tapered from a base proximal the ventilation supply to the distal tip end. A bead flange is disposed about the exterior of each insert at the distal end of the insert. A bleed port for release of exhaled air is defined through a conical vent projecting normally to the path of the incoming air flow, and continues through a nipple extending to the exterior of the air conduit. In one embodiment, a pair of nasal inserts are integral with a nasal cannula body, with bleed ports axially aligned with each insert. In another embodiment, each insert is independently connected to a separate, thin-walled, flexible supply line.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A ventilation interface, comprising: 
 a nasal cannula, the cannula being a hollow, arcuate body having a top wall and a semi-cylindrical bottom wall defining an air chamber, said top wall having a notch defined transversely across thereof, the body having cylindrical tubes at opposing ends of the body adapted for connection to ventilator supply tubes; and    a pair of hollow, flexible, resilient nasal inserts, each nasal insert having a base end connected to said top wall of said nasal cannula and an open distal tip end, the nasal inserts are substantially oval in cross-section with the major axis substantially parallel with said notch and the minor axis normal to said notch, the nasal inserts defining a conduit forming an air passage in communication with said air chamber, each said nasal insert having a seal incorporated as part of the construction of the insert.    
   
   
       11 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 10 , wherein said nasal insert has a flange formed as a bead disposed about the distal tip end of said nasal insert.  
   
   
       12 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 11 , wherein said flange acts as said seal for said nasal insert.  
   
   
       13 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 10 , wherein said nasal cannula and each of said nasal inserts is made from silicone, said nasal inserts being formed integral with said nasal cannula.  
   
   
       14 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 10 , wherein each said nasal insert has an internal diameter of 0.75 inches on a major axis and 0.5 inches on a minor axis.  
   
   
       15 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 10 , wherein each said nasal insert has a wall thickness between about 1/32 and 1/20 inches.  
   
   
       16 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 10 , wherein each said nasal insert has a softness measuring between about 15 and 40 on a type A Shore durometer.  
   
   
       17 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a pair of barb connectors; and    a pair of supply tubs, said supply tubes being connected to the cylindrical tubes at opposite ends of said nasal cannula by said barb connectors.    
   
   
       18 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 17 , further comprising a Y-connector having a first end adapted for connection to a ventilator supply hose, and a second end having a pair of ports connected to said supply tubes.  
   
   
       19 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one bleeder port defined through said nasal cannula, wherein said at least one bleeder port is below each said nasal insert when each said nasal insert is inserted and retained in a patient's naris.  
   
   
       20 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 20 , wherein said at least one bleeder port is defined through the bottom wall of said nasal cannula.  
   
   
       21 . The ventilation interface according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one bleeder port further includes an upper nipple projecting into said air chamber and a lower nipple projecting from the bottom wall of said nasal cannula, said at least one bleeder port being defined through said upper and lower nipples.