Nasal cannula

Abstract

The invention relates to a nasal cannula for an anti-snoring apparatus, comprising a forked tube pneumatically connected to apertures, which are embodied and positioned in such a way that air can be administered into the nose of a user via these apertures. The nasal cannula further comprises a heating wire extending in the interior of forked tube in such a way that the heating wire can heat the air supplied through the forked tube. The invention moreover relates to a nosepiece and to a Y-shaped element for nasal cannula including internal radius steps at tube connection points. The invention further relates to a nosepiece and to a Y-shaped element having rounded off transition regions. The invention finally relates to a method for avoiding condensation in nasal cannulas. To this end, the gas is heated as it flows through the tubes of a nasal cannula.

1 . A nasal cannula for an anti-snoring or PAP apparatus, comprising:
 a forked tube ( 3 ) pneumatically connected to apertures ( 12 ;  52 ), which are embodied and positioned in such a way that air can be administered into the nose of a user via these apertures ( 12 ;  52 ),   characterized by:   a heating wire ( 8 ,  31 ,  33 ) extending in the forked tube ( 3 ) in such a way that the heating wire ( 8 ) can heat the air supplied through the forked tube ( 3 ).   
   
   
       2 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein a temperature sensor ( 7 ) is mounted in the proximity of the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ) so that the temperature sensor ( 7 ) can measure the temperature of the air administered via the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ). 
   
   
       3 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 2 , wherein the temperature sensor ( 7 ) is connected to the heating wire ( 8 ) in such a way that it can be supplied with electric energy via the heating wire ( 8 ) and that the temperature signal of the temperature sensor ( 7 ) can also be read out via the heating wire ( 8 ). 
   
   
       4 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensor ( 7 ) is a digital temperature sensor modulating its temperature signal onto the voltage supplied to the temperature sensor ( 7 ) via the heating wire ( 8 ). 
   
   
       5 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating wire ( 8 ) has a wire-shaped metal core ( 21 ) surrounded by an insulation ( 22 ), the external shell of which comprises elevations and recesses. 
   
   
       6 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating wire ( 8 ) has a wire-shaped metal core ( 21 ) surrounded by an insulation ( 22 ), the external shell of which comprises elevations and recesses, wherein a temperature sensor ( 7 ) is mounted in the proximity of the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ) so that the temperature sensor ( 7 ) can measure the temperature of the air administered via the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ). 
   
   
       7 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating wire ( 8 ) has a wire-shaped metal core ( 21 ) surrounded by an insulation ( 22 ), the external shell of which comprises elevations and recesses, wherein the temperature sensor ( 7 ) is a digital temperature sensor modulating its temperature signal onto the voltage supplied to the temperature sensor ( 7 ) via the heating wire ( 8 ). 
   
   
       8 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating wire ( 8 ) has a wire-shaped metal core ( 21 ) surrounded by an insulation ( 22 ), the external shell of which comprises elevations and recesses, wherein the shell of the insulation ( 22 ) includes elevations with triangular cross-sections which extend approximately in the longitudinal direction of the heating wire ( 8 ), so that the insulation ( 22 ) has altogether a star-shaped cross-section. 
   
   
       9 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating wire ( 8 ) has a wire-shaped metal core ( 21 ) surrounded by an insulation ( 22 ), the external shell of which comprises elevations and recesses, wherein the metal core ( 21 ) includes elevations and recesses on its shell. 
   
   
       10 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the forked tube ( 3 ) comprises stabilizing filaments ( 31 ,  33 ). 
   
   
       11 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , characterized in that two elements of the forked tube ( 3 ) are mechanically connected to a double-lumen tube ( 13 ) at a connector-sided end. 
   
   
       12 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the forked tube ( 3 ) is pneumatically connected to a pneumatic connector part ( 10 ) of a connector ( 6 ) and wherein the heating wire ( 8 ) is electrically connected to an electrical connector part ( 9 ) of the connector ( 6 ). 
   
   
       13 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the apertures are formed by prongs ( 12 ,  52 ) approximately in the center of a nosepiece ( 2 ,  42 ), wherein a left element of the forked tube ( 3 ) is pneumatically connected to the left side of the nosepiece ( 2 ,  42 ) and a right element of the forked tube ( 3 ) is pneumatically connected to the right side of the nosepiece ( 2 ,  42 ) and the heating wire ( 8 ,  31 ,  33 ) extends from the left element of the forked tube ( 3 ) through the interior of the nosepiece ( 2 ,  42 ) to the right element of the forked tube ( 3 ). 
   
   
       14 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , characterized in that two elements of the forked tube ( 3 ) are mechanically connected to a double-lumen tube ( 13 ) at a connector-sided end, wherein the forked tube ( 3 ) is pneumatically connected to a pneumatic connector part ( 10 ) of a connector ( 6 ) and wherein the heating wire ( 8 ) is electrically connected to an electrical connector part ( 9 ) of the connector ( 6 ), wherein the apertures are formed by prongs ( 12 ,  52 ) approximately in the center of a nosepiece ( 2 ,  42 ), wherein a left element of the forked tube ( 3 ) is pneumatically connected to the left side of the nosepiece ( 2 ,  42 ) and a right element of the forked tube ( 3 ) is pneumatically connected to the right side of the nosepiece ( 2 ,  42 ) and the heating wire ( 8 ,  31 ,  33 ) extends from the left element of the forked tube ( 3 ) through the interior of the nosepiece ( 2 ,  42 ) to the right element of the forked tube ( 3 ). 
   
   
       15 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the forked tube ( 3 ) comprises stabilizing filaments ( 31 ,  33 ), wherein two elements of the forked tube ( 3 ) are mechanically connected to a double-lumen tube ( 13 ) at a connector-sided end. 
   
   
       16 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating wire ( 8 ) has a wire-shaped metal core ( 21 ) surrounded by an insulation ( 22 ), the external shell of which comprises elevations and recesses, wherein the metal core ( 21 ) includes elevations and recesses on its shell, wherein the forked tube ( 3 ) comprises stabilizing filaments ( 31 ,  33 ). 
   
   
       17 . The nasal cannula according to  claim 1 , wherein a temperature sensor ( 7 ) is mounted in the proximity of the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ) so that the temperature sensor ( 7 ) can measure the temperature of the air administered via the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ), wherein the temperature sensor ( 7 ) is connected to the heating wire ( 8 ) in such a way that it can be supplied with electric energy via the heating wire ( 8 ) and that the temperature signal of the temperature sensor ( 7 ) can also be read out via the heating wire ( 8 ), wherein the temperature sensor ( 7 ) is a digital temperature sensor modulating its temperature signal onto the voltage supplied to the temperature sensor ( 7 ) via the heating wire ( 8 ). 
   
   
       18 . A nasal cannula having a nosepiece for an anti-snoring or PAP apparatus, comprising:
 a forked tube ( 3 ) pneumatically connected to apertures ( 12 ;  52 ), which are embodied and positioned in such a way that air can be administered into the nose of a user via these apertures ( 12 ;  52 ),   characterized by:   a heating wire ( 8 ,  31 ,  33 ) extending in the forked tube ( 3 ) in such a way that the heating wire ( 8 ) can heat the air supplied through the forked tube ( 3 ) further comprising a nosepiece for a nasal cannula comprising:
 a connection point ( 44 ) for mounting a forked tube ( 3 ); 
 wherein the connection point includes an internal radius step ( 46 ) at one end of the connection point ( 44 ) the height of which just about corresponds to half the difference between the inner and outer diameter of the forked tube ( 3 ) so as to obtain an even transition between the interior of the forked tube ( 3 ) and the interior of the nosepiece upon mounting a forked tube ( 3 ) at the connection point ( 44 ). 
   
   
   
       19 . The nasal cannula having a nosepiece of  claim 18 , for nasal cannulas, further comprising:
 a prong ( 12 ;  52 ) for administrating air into a nostril of a user;   a connection point ( 44 ) for mounting a forked tube ( 3 ); and   a connection piece ( 47 ) which mechanically and pneumatically connects the prong ( 12 ;  52 ) to the connection point ( 44 ),   characterized in that the transition region ( 54 ) between the prong ( 12 ;  52 ) and the connection piece ( 47 ) has a radius in a plane which is defined by the prong and the connection piece ( 47 ), the radius being larger than the radius of the prong ( 12 ;  52 ).   
   
   
       20 . The nasal cannula having a nosepiece of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 two prongs ( 12 ;  52 ) for administrating air into each nostril of a user;   a central connection piece ( 48 ) which mechanically and pneumatically connects the two prongs ( 12 ;  52 );   two tube connections ( 44 ); and   two connection pieces ( 47 ), wherein each connection piece mechanically and pneumatically connects one prong ( 12 ;  52 ) to one tube connection ( 44 );   characterized in that;   the central connection piece ( 48 ) includes an indentation ( 43 ) so that the area of the clear cross-section of the central connection piece ( 48 ) is smaller than the area of the clear cross-sections of the two connection pieces ( 47 ).   
   
   
       21 . For nasal cannula having a nosepiece of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 two prongs ( 12 ;  52 ) for administrating air into each nostril of a user;   a central connection piece ( 48 ) which mechanically and pneumatically connects the two prongs ( 12 ;  52 );   two tube connections ( 44 ); and   two connection pieces ( 47 ), wherein each connection piece mechanically and pneumatically connects one prong ( 12 ;  52 ) to one tube connection ( 44 );   characterized in that   the central connection piece ( 48 ) includes an indentation ( 43 ) so that the area of the clear cross-section of the central connection piece ( 48 ) is smaller than the area of the clear cross-sections of the two connection pieces ( 47 ).   
   
   
       22 . The nasal cannula having a nosepiece according to  claim 21 , for nasal cannulas, comprising:
 two prongs ( 12 ;  52 ) for administrating air into each nostril of a user;   a central connection piece ( 48 ) which mechanically and pneumatically connects the two prongs ( 12 ;  52 );   characterized in that   the transition region between the central connection piece ( 48 ) is rounded off in a plane which is defined by the two prongs ( 12 ;  52 ), wherein the radius of this transition region is larger than the radius of the prongs.   
   
   
       23 . A nasal cannula having a nosepiece according to  claim 18 , for nasal cannulas, further comprising:
 two prongs ( 12 ;  52 ) for administrating air into each nostril of a user;   a central connection piece ( 48 ) which mechanically and pneumatically connects the two prongs ( 12 ;  52 );   characterized in that   the transition region between the central connection piece ( 48 ) is rounded off in a plane which is defined by the two prongs ( 12 ;  52 ), wherein the radius of this transition region is larger than the radius of the prongs.   
   
   
       24 . A nasal cannula having a Y-shaped element for an anti-snoring or PAP apparatus, comprising:
 a forked tube ( 3 ) pneumatically connected to apertures ( 12 ;  52 ), which are embodied and positioned in such a way that air can be administered into the nose of a user via these apertures ( 12 ;  52 ),   characterized by:   a heating wire ( 8 ,  31 ,  33 ) extending in the forked tube ( 3 ) in such a way that the heating wire ( 8 ) can heat the air supplied through the forked tube ( 3 )   further comprising a Y-shaped element for nasal cannulas comprising:
 two forked tube connections ( 91 ); and 
 a supply tube connection ( 93 ), the Y-shaped element mechanically and pneumatically connecting all three tube connections, 
 characterized in that 
 each of the two forked tube connections ( 91 ) includes an internal radius step ( 92 ) at one end of the forked tube connection ( 91 ) the height of which just about corresponds to half the difference between the inner and outer diameter of the forked tube ( 3 ) so as to obtain an even transition between the interior of the forked tube ( 3 ) and the interior of the Y-shaped element ( 4 ) upon mounting a forked tube ( 3 ) at a forked tube connection ( 91 ). 
   
   
   
       25 . A nasal cannula having a Y-shaped element according to  claim 24 , characterized in that the supply tube connection ( 93 ) includes an internal radius step ( 94 ) at one end of the supply tube connection ( 93 ) the height of which just about corresponds to half the difference between the inner and outer diameter of the supply tube ( 5 ) so as to obtain an even transition between the interior of the supply tube ( 5 ) and the interior of the Y-shaped element ( 4 ) upon mounting a supply tube ( 5 ) at the supply tube connection ( 93 ). 
   
   
       26 . A nasal cannula having a Y-shaped element according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the transition region ( 95 ) is rounded off between the two forked tube connections ( 91 ) in the interior of the Y-shaped element ( 4 ), wherein the radius in this transition region ( 95 ) in a plane which is defined by the two forked tube connections ( 91 ) is larger than a tenth of the clear cross-section of a forked tube connection ( 91 ). 
   
   
       27 . A nasal cannula having a Y-shaped element according to  claim 24 , characterized in that the transition region ( 95 ) is rounded off between the two forked tube connections ( 91 ) in the interior of the Y-shaped element ( 4 ), wherein the radius in this transition region ( 95 ) in a plane which is defined by the two forked tube connections ( 91 ) is larger than a tenth of the clear cross-section of a forked tube connection ( 91 ). 
   
   
       28 . A method for avoiding condensation in nasal cannulas, comprising the steps of:
 supplying ( 6 ) a gas to the nasal cannula;   administrating the gas through apertures ( 12 ;  52 ) in the nasal cannula; and   heating ( 8 ) the gas as it flows through the tubes of the nasal cannula.   
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of:
 measuring ( 7 ) the temperature in the proximity of the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ) for administrating the gas; and   controlling the heating power so as to avoid a condensation in the nasal cannula.   
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of: incorporating a temperature sensor ( 7 ), which measures the temperature in the proximity of the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ), is supplied via heating wires ( 8 ) with electric energy for heating the gas and that the heating wires ( 8 ) are used to transmit the sensor signal. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising the step of:
 measuring ( 7 ) the temperature in the proximity of the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ) for administrating the gas; and   controlling the heating power so as to avoid a condensation in the nasal cannula.   
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of: incorporating a temperature sensor ( 7 ), which measures the temperature in the proximity of the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ), is supplied via heating wires ( 8 ) with electric energy for heating the gas and that the heating wires ( 8 ) are used to transmit the sensor signal;
 measuring ( 7 ) the temperature in the proximity of the apertures ( 12 ;  52 ) for administrating the gas; and   controlling the heating power so as to avoid a condensation in the nasal cannula.