US-12623041-B2 - Airflow nasal prong

US12623041B2US 12623041 B2US12623041 B2US 12623041B2US-12623041-B2

Abstract

A nasal prong comprising a tube configured to be partially placed in a nasal passage of a patient, the tube having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and a lumen extending therebetween. The first end having an elongated opening configured to face supero-medially within the nasal passage, wherein airflow out of the elongated opening is directed superiorly and posteriorly within the nasal cavity, above the inferior concha, around the middle concha, and towards the roof of the nose. The intermediate portion of the tube having a bend that keeps the nasal prong on a floor of the nasal passage at and/or near the outer edge of a nostril.

Inventors

Ari Namon

Assignees

Ari Namon

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220614

Claims (20)

1 . A nasal prong for providing airflow to a patient, the nasal prong comprising: a tube configured to be partially placed in an entrance of a nasal passage of the patient, the tube having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and a lumen extending therebetween; the first end configured to be positioned inside the nasal passage proximal the entrance and below a top of an inferior concha, the first end having an elongated opening to the lumen that is configured to face supero-medially within the nasal passage and towards a roof of the nasal passage to direct the airflow out of the elongated opening posteriorly and superiorly within the nasal cavity, above the inferior concha, around the middle concha, and towards the roof of the nasal passage of the patient to increase humidification and temperature of gas in the nasal passage; the second end configured to be positioned outside the nasal passage; and the intermediate portion of the tube having a concave bend having an angle relative to a posterior portion of a nostril and that is configured to rest a portion of the bend of the nasal prong on a portion of a floor of the nasal passage at and/or near an outer posterior edge of the nostril and to face the first end supero-medially within the nasal passage.
2 . The nasal prong of claim 1 , wherein the second end is configured to attach to a nasal cannula.
3 . The nasal prong of claim 1 , wherein the second end is in fluid communication with a tubing connected to an oxygen device and a mixture of oxygen flows through the lumen into the nasal passage of the patient.
4 . The nasal prong of claim 1 , wherein an interior of the lumen comprises at least one of baffles, ridges, crimps, and rifling to redirect the airflow and create turbulence in the airflow.
5 . The nasal prong of claim 1 , wherein the elongated opening of the first end directs the airflow in a manner that also reduces at least one of an oxygen hunger, a nasal dryness, a nosebleed risk, a perforation risk, a discomfort, and a mucous crusting of the patient.
6 . The nasal prong of claim 1 , wherein the direction of airflow in the nasal passage is between 30 and 60 degrees superior from the floor of the nasal passage.
7 . The nasal prong of claim 6 , wherein the direction of airflow in the nasal passage is 45 degrees superior from the floor of the nasal passage.
8 . The nasal prong of claim 1 , wherein the elongated opening is elliptical or ovular in shape and angled to direct the airflow superiorly and posteriorly within the nasal passage.
9 . The nasal prong of claim 8 , wherein the elongated opening has a minor axis diameter of 2 mm and a major axis diameter of greater than 2 mm.
10 . The nasal prong of claim 1 , wherein the first end is further configured to be positioned near a portion of an outer nasal wall of the patient.
11 . The nasal prong of claim 1 , wherein the nasal prong is configured to make the airflow directed out of the nasal prong non-laminar to more accurately match physiological airflow through the nostril.
12 . The nasal prong of claim 1 , wherein the nasal prong is configured to direct the airflow in a manner that increases the humidification and temperature of the airflow before the airflow reaches at least one lung of the patient.
13 . A method comprising: placing a nasal prong partially within a nasal passage of a patient to direct airflow to the patient, wherein the nasal prong is attached to a nasal cannula and the nasal prong comprises: a tube configured to be partially placed in the nasal passage of the patient, the tube having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and a lumen extending therebetween, the first end configured to be positioned in the nasal passage below a top of an inferior concha and having an elongated opening faced supero-medially within the nasal passage and towards a roof of the nose, the second end configured to be positioned outside the nasal passage, and the intermediate portion of the tube having a concave bend having an angle relative to a posterior portion of a nostril and that is configured to keep a portion of the bend of the nasal prong on a portion of a floor of the nasal passage at and/or near an outer posterior edge of the nostril; aligning the nasal prong in the nasal passage of the patient so the concave bend of the intermediate portion at least partially rests on the portion of the floor of the nasal passage and the first end and the elongated opening face superior-medially within the nasal passage; and dispensing a mixture of oxygen through the nasal prong to the patient such that the elongated opening of the nasal prong directs the mixture of oxygen posteriorly and superiorly within the nasal cavity, above the inferior concha, around the middle concha, and towards the roof of the nose in a manner mimicking physiological airflow to increase humidification and temperature of the mixture of oxygen.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the dispensing the mixture of oxygen further comprises directing the airflow out of the elongated opening of the nasal prong at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees superior of the floor of the nasal passage.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the angle is approximately 45 degrees.
16 . A nasal prong for directing airflow to a patient, the nasal prong comprising: a tube configured to be partially placed in a front portion of a nasal passage of the patient, the tube having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and a lumen extending therebetween; the second end comprising an opening being configured to receive laminar airflow and configured to be positioned outside the nasal passage; a portion of the lumen being configured to alter the laminar airflow to turbulent airflow; and the first end configured to follow contours of a floor of an outer edge of an entrance of a nasal cavity and to be positioned within the nasal passage below a top of an inferior concha, wherein the first end comprises a other opening configured to direct the turbulent airflow into the nasal passage, wherein the first end is cut at an angle greater than 15° and less than 90° relative to the second end such that the other opening of the first end is elongated compared to the opening of the second end, and wherein the other opening of the first end is configured to face supero-medially in the nasal passage, towards a roof of the nose, and to direct 70% of the turbulent airflow through a middle third of the nasal cavity around a middle concha and 15% each in a lower third and an upper third of the nasal cavity, respectively, to accurately reflect a physiological airflow path and protect tissue underneath the nasal prong from a direct force of the turbulent airflow.
17 . The nasal prong of claim 16 , wherein the portion of the lumen is an interior of the lumen that comprises at least one of baffles, ridges, crimps, and rifling to add turbulence to the laminar airflow to create the turbulent airflow.
18 . The nasal prong of claim 16 , wherein the second end is configured to connect to a nasal cannula in fluid communication with an oxygen source, and the oxygen source directs laminar airflow through the nasal cannula and the nasal prong.
19 . The nasal prong of claim 16 , wherein the intermediate portion comprises a concave bend at an angle relative to a posterior portion of the nasal passage such that the other opening of the first end is configured to direct the turbulent airflow at least partially superiorly within the nasal passage while the concave bend at least partially holds the nasal prong in the nasal passage.
20 . The nasal prong of claim 16 , wherein the nasal prong is configured to reproduce physiological airflow.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/210,245, filed Jun. 14, 2021, entitled “IMPROVED AIRFLOW NASAL CANNULA”. The entirety of this provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to a nasal prong for a nasal cannula and, more specifically, to a nasal prong shaped to improve airflow through the nasal passage. BACKGROUND Nasal cannulas, which can include nasal prongs, are used to deliver supplemental oxygen to patients who require it for both short- and long-term use. Standard low-flow nasal cannulas deliver oxygen via small prongs inserted into the nostrils at flow rates of 2 to 6 liters per minute. The traditional method of gas delivery through cannula prongs is non-physiologic because the gas bypasses the nasal valve, an area just inside the nostril which creates turbulent flow resulting in distribution of the gas over the complex redundant anatomy of the nasal cavity, of which conchae play a critical role. The conchae act as aerodynamic baffles increasing surface area and distributing the gas over a larger mucosal surface for exchange of heat and moisture, and to filter the gas. The nasal cavity serves three functions: it warms, humidifies, and filters inspired gases. All three functions are diminished or altogether bypassed by the standard prong design. Traditional cannula prong design results in primarily laminar flow along the floor of the nose, which bypasses the conchae and causes crusting, dryness, nosebleeds, septal perforation, discomfort, air hunger, and possibly reduced alveolar gas exchange. These complications ultimately result in poor patient compliance. SUMMARY The present disclosure relates generally to a nasal prong for a nasal cannula and, more specifically, to a nasal prong shaped to improve airflow through the nasal passage. A nasal prong that can improve airflow into the airway of a patient. The nasal prong comprising a tube configured to be partially placed in a nasal passage of a patient, the tube having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and a lumen extending therebetween. The first end having an elongated opening configured to face supero-medially within the nasal passage, wherein airflow out of the elongated opening is directed superiorly and posteriorly within the nasal cavity, above the inferior concha, around the middle concha, and towards the roof of the nose of the patient. The intermediate portion of the tube having a bend that keeps a portion of the nasal prong on a floor of the nasal passage at and/or near the outer edge of a nostril. A method for using a nasal prong to improve airflow into the airway of a patient comprising the following steps. Placing a nasal prong partially within a nasal passage of a patient, wherein the nasal prong is part of a nasal cannula and the nasal prong comprises: a tube configured to be partially placed in a nasal passage of a patient, the tube having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and a lumen extending therebetween, the first end having an elongated opening configured to face superiorly within the nasal passage, and the intermediate portion of the tube having a bend that keeps the nasal prong on a floor of the nasal passage. aligning the nasal prong in the nasal passage of the patient so the bend of the intermediate portion is on the floor of the nasal passage. Dispensing a mixture of oxygen through the nasal prong, wherein the mixture of oxygen flows out of the elongated opening of the nasal prong towards the top of the nasal passage and the nasal conchae. A nasal prong that can improve airflow into the airway of a patient. The nasal prong can comprise a tube configured to be partially placed in a nasal passage of a patient, the tube having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, and a lumen extending therebetween. The second end can comprise an opening that can receive laminar airflow. A portion of the lumen can be configured to alter the laminar airflow to turbulent airflow. The first end can be configured to be positioned within the nasal passage and comprises another opening configured to direct the turbulent airflow into the nasal passage in a physiological manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary nasal prong with a bend within the nose of a patient; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a nasal prong with a bend; FIGS. 3A-3C are models of the nasal prong of FIG. 2 shown from different viewpoints; FIG. 4 is another view of an exemplary nasal prong that can output turbulent flow; FIGS. 5A-5D show cut views of the nasal prong of FIG. 4 with different modifications