Strapless nasal interface device

Abstract

A strapless nasal interface device is disclosed. The device is used in conjunction with CPAP, BIPAP, ventilators, or any other suitable device. The device includes a body with a passageway to a ventilating tube, exhalation holes, and a passageway to nostril interface tubes. The nostril interface tubes include a nasal interface element which is an expandable, compressible material such that the user can compress the element, insert it into the end of the nostril and allow it to expand to hold the tube in place. Alternatively, the nasal interface elements are held against the outer edge of the nostrils. Optionally, a skirt is included at the outer side of the nostril to aid in sealing against air leaks. Optionally, flaps are included to assist in holding the device in place, such as side flaps, a front flap, or both. The front flap may be adherable to the exterior of the nose and optionally includes resilient strips to open the nasal passageway. Alternatively, a nose cover is adhered to the nose and side attachment flaps secure the device to the nose cover. Thus, the device requires no additional straps or headgear in order to maintain the device in operable position during sleep.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a housing including
 a cavity, 
 a first opening in fluid communication with the cavity and a positive pressure source, 
 a second opening in fluid communication with the cavity and atmosphere, 
 a third opening, and 
 a fourth opening; 
   a first nostril tube removably coupled to the third opening and in fluid communication with the cavity;   a second nostril tube removably coupled to the fourth opening and in fluid communication with the cavity; and   a nasal interface element removably coupled to one of the first nostril tube and the second nostril tube, wherein the nasal interface element is compressible to fit within a nostril of a user and expandable to make contact with an inner edge of the nostril to hold the nostril tube in place within the nostril and to form a seal sufficient for CPAP operation.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a facial patch which is adherable to a portion of a person's face above the level of such a person's nostrils. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one attachment flap coupled to the housing and removably attachable to the facial patch. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a second attachment flap coupled to the housing and removably attachable to the facial patch. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the facial patch at least partially covers a person's nose and includes an adhesive on a bottom surface thereof adapted to removably adhere to the outer surface of a person's nose. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the facial patch comprises a bendable element adapted to bend to match contours of a person's nose and hold its shape. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening is of sufficient size and configured to allow exhaled air to pass therethrough without substantially depressurizing the cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the second opening is about 0.02 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening includes a plurality of openings, and wherein each of the openings is of sufficient size and is configured to allow exhaled air to pass therethrough without substantially depressurizing the cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of openings is about 0.02 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         11 . A device comprising:
 a housing including
 a cavity, and 
 a port in fluid communication with the cavity and extending from the housing, the port being rotatable with respect to the housing and connectable to a positive pressure source; 
   a first nostril tube coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the cavity;   a second nostril tube coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the cavity;   a nasal interface element coupled to one of the first nostril tube and the second nostril tube, wherein the nasal interface element is compressible and expandable to form a seal within a nostril of a user that is sufficient for CPAP operation.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a facial patch which is adherable to a portion of a person's face above the level of such a person's nostrils. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one attachment flap coupled to the housing and removably attachable to the facial patch. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a second attachment flap coupled to the housing and removably attachable to the facial patch. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the facial patch at least partially covers a person's nose and includes an adhesive on a bottom surface thereof adapted to removably adhere to the outer surface of a person's nose. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the facial patch comprises a bendable element adapted to bend to match contours of a person's nose and hold its shape. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the second opening is of sufficient size and configured to allow exhaled air to pass therethrough without substantially depressurizing the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the second opening is about 0.02 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the second opening includes a plurality of openings, and wherein each of the openings is of sufficient size and is configured to allow exhaled air to pass therethrough without substantially depressurizing the cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of openings is about 0.02 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         21 . A device comprising:
 a housing including
 a cavity, and 
 a port in fluid communication with the cavity and extending from the housing, the port connectable to a positive pressure source; 
   an attachment flap coupled to the housing and releasably coupled to a facial patch applied to a nose of a user;   a first nostril tube coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the cavity;   a second nostril tube coupled to the housing and in fluid communication with the cavity;   a nasal interface element coupled to one of the first nostril tube and the second nostril tube, wherein the nasal interface element is compressible and expandable to form a seal within a nostril of a user that is sufficient for CPAP operation.