Patient activated mouth moisturizer

Abstract

A patient recovering from major surgery often suffers from cracked lips and parched palate. The patient usually frequently contacts the nursing staff and requests that they provide the patient with cool water and/or cracked ice. The amount of water and/or cracked ice which the patient can have has to be very limited in order to prevent debilitating vomiting by the patient. The patient's discomfort and suffering is greatly reduced by the mouth moisturizer which via an atomizer supplies a controlled amount of water mist to the lips and palate of the patient. Also, the nurses have more time to devote to their other duties.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mouth moisturizer system comprising: 
 (a) means for atomizing an aqueous liquid with a gas to form a mist which is supplied in a controlled manner to lips and/or the mouth of a person, a portion of said atomizing means being adapted to fit in the mouth of the person; and    (b) means for providing the aqueous liquid and the gas to the atomizer means.    
     
     
         2 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous liquid is water.  
     
     
         3 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 2  wherein the aqueous liquid is distilled or sterilized water.  
     
     
         4 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 1  wherein the gas is air.  
     
     
         5 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 1  wherein the means (b) includes a gas compressor and a tube for transportation of pressurized gas from the gas compressor to the atomizer means.  
     
     
         6 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 5  wherein the means (b) further includes a tube for transportation of pressurized aqueous liquid from a source of pressurized aqueous liquid to the atomizer means.  
     
     
         7 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 5  wherein the means (b) further includes a pump for pressurizing the aqueous liquid, and a tube for transportation of the pressurized aqueous liquid from the pump to the atomizer means.  
     
     
         8 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 7  wherein means (b) includes means to control the frequency of and duration of operation of the gas compressor and the aqueous liquid pump.  
     
     
         9 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 8  which also includes a container of aqueous liquid in a unit which is adapted to be mounted on the frame of the patient's bed, and a tube for transporting the aqueous liquid from the container to the aqueous liquid pump.  
     
     
         10 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 1  wherein the atomizer means (a) comprises an elongated atomizer unit which has a fin which is situated perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and which totally or substantially extends around its circumference, moist providing end of said elongated atomizer unit is capable of being positioned in the patient's mouth.  
     
     
         11 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 1  wherein the atomizer means (a) comprises a base which has a curved groove which fits over the lower gum or at least some of the lower teeth of the patient, and an elongated atomizer unit is mounted on said base so that moist providing portion of said elongated aerator unit is capable of being positioned in the patient's mouth.  
     
     
         12 . The mouth moisturizer system of  claim 1  wherein the atomizer means (a) comprises an atomizer unit having an elongated central portion and two diametrically opposed arm portions, the atomizer unit being capable of providing mist out of at least one aperture in each of the two arms of and/or at least one aperture in the end of the elongated central portion which extends into the patient's mouth.  
     
     
         13 . The mouth moisturizer of  claim 12  wherein there is an extension on the end of each arm, and elastic band means attached to the unattached end of the arm extensions capable of holding the atomizer unit in the mouth of the patient.  
     
     
         14 . A process of moisturizing lips and/or mouth of a patient comprising: 
 (i) forming a mist by aerating an aqueous liquid with a gas, and    (ii) supplying the mist to the lips and/or mouth of the patient.    
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the patient is recovering from major surgery, the aqueous liquid is water and the gas is air.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 15  wherein the water is cooled water.  
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the mist is directed at the lips and/or into mouth of the patient.