Strapless nasal interface device

Abstract

A nasal interface device configured to be positioned about a user's nose includes an air supply interface body including an air supply opening, at least one nasal opening, and first and second side slots and first and second elastic members extending through the first and second side slots, respectively, on the air supply interface body. Each of the first and second elastic members includes first and second adhesive means on an outer end thereof distal from the air supply interface body. The nasal interface device includes a bendable metallic member including a bridge portion between first and second ends, wherein the first and second elastic members attach to the first and second ends of the bendable metallic member, respectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nasal interface device configured to be positioned about a user's nose, comprising:
 an air supply interface body including an air supply opening, at least one nasal opening, and first and second side slots;   first and second elastic members extending through the first and second side slots, respectively, on the air supply interface body, wherein each of the first and second elastic members include first and second adhesive means on an outer end thereof distal from the air supply interface body; and   a bendable metallic member including a bridge portion between first and second ends, wherein the first and second elastic members attach to the first and second ends of the bendable metallic member, respectively.   
     
     
         2 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second elastic members has a length of between about 5 cm and about 6 cm. 
     
     
         3 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second elastic members comprises a rubber material. 
     
     
         4 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second elastic members comprises a woven elastic band. 
     
     
         5 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second rings connected to the first and second ends of the bendable metallic member, respectively, wherein the first and second elastic members extend through the first and second rings, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The nasal interface device of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive means comprise a hook and loop material, and wherein each of the first and second elastic members including a corresponding hook and loop material to receive the adhesive means of the first and second elastic members, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The nasal interface device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second adhesive portions has a length of at least about 3 cm. 
     
     
         8 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second elastic members extends from the first and second ends, respectively, of the bendable metallic member and through the first and second side slots, respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The nasal interface device of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first and second adhesive means comprise an adhesive tape configured to adhere to the user's nose. 
     
     
         10 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second adhesive means comprise an adhesive tape configured to adhere to the user's nose. 
     
     
         11 . The nasal interface device of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second adhesive means has a length of about 3 cm. 
     
     
         12 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , wherein the air supply interface connects to one of a ventilator, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, and a bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine. 
     
     
         13 . A method of wearing a nasal interface device comprising the steps of:
 providing the nasal interface device comprising:
 an air supply interface body including an air supply opening, at least one nasal opening, and first and second side slots; and 
 first and second elastic members extending through the first and second side slots, respectively, on the air supply interface body, wherein each of the first and second elastic members include first and second adhesive means on an outer end thereof distal from the air supply interface body; and 
 a bendable metallic member including a bridge portion between first and second ends, wherein the first and second elastic members attach to the first and second ends of the bendable metallic member, respectively; 
   conforming the bendable metallic element about a bridge of the user's nose;   positioning the air supply interface body about a user's nose, wherein the first and second attachment means of the air supply interface body are adjacent to the first and second sides, respectively, of the user's nose;   pulling the first and second elastic members taut in order to form a seal where the air supply interface body meets the user's nose; and   securing each of the first and second adhesive means to maintain the seal.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the nasal interface device further comprises a bendable metallic member including a bridge portion between first and second ends, wherein the first and second elastic members attach to the first and second ends of the bendable metallic member, respectively. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the adhesive means comprise a hook and loop material, and wherein each of the first and second elastic members including a corresponding hook and loop material to receive the adhesive means of the first and second elastic members, respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 extending the first elastic member across a bridge of the user's nose to position the first adhesive portion on the second side of the user's nose; and   extending the second elastic member across a bridge of the user's nose to position the second adhesive portion on the first side of the user's nose.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 extending the first adhesive portion across a bridge of the user's nose; and   extending the second adhesive portion across the bridge of the user's nose.