Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Means for mixing treating agent with respiratory gas
Patent
1997-02-28
1999-02-09
Asher, Kimberly L.
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Means for mixing treating agent with respiratory gas
12820213, 606234, A61M 1500, A61M 1600, A62B 700, A61J 1700
Patent
active
058681310
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This Application is a 371 application PCT/AU95/0580 filed 01 Sep. 1995.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for assisting the breathing of an infant suffering from minor ailments such as breathing and nasal congestion problems and the like due to, for example, a cold.
The invention also has application in the dispensing of therapeutic oils which may also assist in alleviating sleeping, coughing and relaxation problems in infants.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
There are many known methods of treating an infant for breathing difficulties and the like. These include the application of decongestants, nose droppers, and vapor emitting ointments. However parents often desire to avoid the overuse of medicines such as decongestants and droppers. Vaporising ointments are somewhat messy if applied to the skin of the baby and some babies are allergic to chemicals in ointments. Ointments also tend to collect small particles such as dirt and dust on the child and/or clothing.
It is known for a decongestant to be associated with a baby's pacifier. Examples of known arrangements are to be found in UK patents 2231497 and 2269754 to Singh, EP patent 406505 to Doll and CH patent 679009 to Naf.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention aims to provide an alternative to known infant breathing aids.
In one aspect this invention resides broadly in a replaceable vapor dispensing module for attachment to an infant soother having a safety shield to thereby constitute an infant breathing aid assembly, the vapor dispensing module including: seal the vapor emitting medicine and/or therapeutic oil within the housing and the safety shield, the housing being adapted to emit vapor from medicine housed therewithin and the arrangement being such that the replaceable vapor dispensing module is adapted to cooperate with infant soothers having differently shaped safety shields.
As used herein the expression "replaceable" means that a vapor dispensing module can be replaced on an infant soother without also replacing the infant soother per se.
As used herein the expression "infant soother" means a teat or teat-simulating device for placing in an infant's mouth on which the infant suckles. An infant soother is also known as a dummy or a pacifier.
The fixing means can fix the module to the pacifier in different ways. For example the fixing means may be received in receiving means such as a recess on the pacifier for retentively receiving the module in a snap fit action. However it is preferred that the fixing means is adapted to be received in a vent in the safety shield.
The housing may be customised to fit individual types of soothers however it is preferred that the housing is adapted to closely abut differently shaped safety shields. The housing may be a flexible shell.
It is preferred that the fixing means includes spigot means. In one embodiment the spigot means includes a pair of resilient fingers fixed to the housing. Alternatively, the spigot means can be lockingly engageable in a recess in the housing. It is preferred that the vapor emitting medicine and/or therapeutic oil is carried in a carrier.
In another aspect this invention resides broadly in an infant breathing aid assembly including: vapor dispensing module thereto, and emitting medicine and/or therapeutic oil and fixing means for fixing the housing to the anchor means; seal the vapor emitting medicine and/or therapeutic oil within the housing and the safety shield, the housing being adapted to emit vapor from medicine housed therewithin and the arrangement being such that the replaceable vapor dispensing module is adapted to cooperate with infant soothers having differently shaped safety shields.
In a preferred embodiment the anchor means includes at least one vent in the safety shield. Alternatively the anchor means can include receiving means for retentively receiving the vapor dispensing module in a snap fit action. In another embodiment the anchor means can comprises handle means on the infant soother and the medicine may be suitab
REFERENCES:
patent: 165799 (1875-07-01), Daniels
patent: 4520809 (1985-06-01), de Greef et al.
patent: 4669461 (1987-06-01), Battaglia et al.
patent: 4959051 (1990-09-01), Glass et al.
patent: 5013321 (1991-05-01), MacVane
patent: 5123915 (1992-06-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5176705 (1993-01-01), Noble
patent: 5300024 (1994-04-01), Yang
patent: 5354274 (1994-10-01), Demeter et al.
patent: 5395392 (1995-03-01), Suhonen
Abstract of Patent No. ZA 8801-564-A, Nov. 1988.
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