Strapless nasal interface device

Abstract

A nasal interface device is configured to be positioned about a user's nose. The nasal interface device includes an air supply interface including first and second attachment surfaces, a bendable metallic member including a bridge portion between first and second ends, an adhesive secured to an underside of the bendable metallic member, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member. The bridge portion compresses downward over the nasal bone of the bridge of the user's nose and the bendable metallic member compresses downward toward the first and second sides of the user's nose during use. The first and second elastic members are adjustable in position on the bendable metallic member and on the air supply interface body. The first and second elastic members are pulled taut to form a seal where the air supply interface body meets the user's nose.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nasal interface device configured to be positioned about a nasal hone of a bridge, a first side, and a second side of a user's nose, comprising:
 an air supply interface including an air supply opening, at least one nasal opening, and first and second attachment surfaces, wherein the nasal device is selected from the group of a se mask, nostril interface tubes, and nose pillows;   a bendable metallic member including a bridge portion between first and second ends, wherein the bridge portion compresses downward over the nasal bone of the bridge of the user's nose and the bendable metallic member compresses downward toward the first and second sides of the user's nose;   an adhesive secured to an underside of the bendable metallic member;   a first elastic member having a first proximal end and a first portion, the first proximal end including a first coupling means for directly or indirectly attaching to the first end of the bendable metallic element, and the first portion engaging with the first attachment surface on the air supply interface body; and   a second elastic member having a second proximal end and a second portion, the second proximal end including a second coupling means for directly or indirectly attaching to the second end of the bendable metallic element, and the second portion engaging with the second attachment surface on the air supply interface body;   wherein the proximal ends of the first and second elastic members are adjustable in position on the bendable metallic member;   wherein the first and second portions of the first and second elastic members are adjustable in position on the air supply interface body; and   wherein each of the first and second elastic members is pulled taut in order to form a seal where the air supply interface body meets the user's nose without needing straps extending around the user's head.   
     
     
         2 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is a first distal end of the first elastic member, and wherein the second portion is a second distal end of the second elastic member. 
     
     
         3 . 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. 
     
     
         4 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second elastic members comprises a rubber material. 
     
     
         5 . The nasal interface device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second elastic members comprises a woven elastic band. 
     
     
         6 . The nasal interface device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second coupling means has a length of at least about 3 cm. 
     
     
         7 . 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. 
     
     
         8 . A nasal interface device configured to be positioned about a nasal hone of a bridge, a first side, and a second side of a user's nose, comprising:
 a nose mask including an air supply opening, wherein the nose mask is positioned about the user's nose;   a bendable metallic member including a bridge portion between first and second ends, wherein the bridge portion compresses downward over the nasal bone of the bridge of the user's nose and the bendable metallic member compresses downward toward the first and second sides of the user's nose;   an adhesive secured to an underside of the bendable metallic member;   wherein the bendable metallic member is secured to the nose mask.   
     
     
         9 . The nasal interface device of  claim 8 , wherein the nose mask includes first and second attachment surfaces, and wherein the first and second ends of the bendable metallic member engage with the first and second attachment surfaces, respectively, of the nose mask. 
     
     
         10 . The nasal interface device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first elastic member having a first proximal end and a first portion, the first proximal end including a first coupling means for directly or indirectly attaching to the first end of the bendable metallic element, and the first portion engaging with the first attachment surface on the air supply interface body; and   a second elastic member having a second proximal end and a second portion, the second proximal end including a second coupling means for directly or indirectly attaching to the second end of the bendable metallic element, and the second portion engaging with the second attachment surface on the air supply interface body;   wherein the proximal ends of the first and second elastic members are adjustable in position on the bendable metallic member;   wherein the first and second portions of the first and second elastic members are adjustable in position on the air supply interface body; and   wherein each of the first and second elastic members is pulled taut in order to form a seal where the air supply interface body meets the user's nose without needing straps extending around the user's head.   
     
     
         11 . A method of wearing a nasal interface device about a nasal bone of a bridge, a first side, and a second side of a user's nose, comprising the steps of:
 providing the nasal interface device comprising:
 an air supply interface including an air supply opening, at least one nasal opening, and first and second attachment surfaces, e nasal device is selected from the group of a nose mask, nostril interface tubes, and nose pillows; 
 a bendable metallic member including a bridge portion between first and second ends; 
 an adhesive secured to the underside of the bendable metallic member; 
 a first elastic member having a first proximal end and a first portion, the first proximal end including a first coupling means for directly or indirectly attaching to the first end of the bendable metallic element, and the first portion engaging with the first attachment surface on the air supply interface body; and 
 a second elastic member having a second proximal end and a second portion, the second proximal end including a second coupling means for directly or indirectly attaching to the second end of the bendable metallic element, and the second portion engaging with the second attachment surface on the air supply interface body; 
 wherein the proximal ends of the first and second elastic members are adjustable in position on the bendable metallic member; and 
 wherein the first and second portions of the first and second elastic members are adjustable in position on the air interface body; 
   compressing the bridge portion of the bendable metallic element downward over the nasal bone of the bridge and toward the first and second sides of the user's nose;   positioning the air supply interface body about the user's nose, wherein the first and second attachment surfaces of the air supply interface body are adjacent to the first and second sides, respectively, of the user's nose;   adjusting the positioning of the proximal ends of the first and second elastic members on the bendable metallic member;   adjusting the first and second portions of the first and second elastic members on the air interface body;   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 coupling means to maintain the seal without needing straps extending around the user's head.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion is a first distal end of the first elastic member, and wherein the second portion is a second distal end of the second elastic member.