Many patients with aspiration pneumonia tend to have dry mouth. I devised a mask with a special filter that moistens the oral cavity with a patient’s exhaled breath. 

[Country of issue] Japan Patent Office (JP)

[Type of Publication] Published Patent Gazette (A)

[Publication number] Patent Application 2020-51012(P2020-51012A)

[Publication date] April 2, 2020 (2020.4.2)

[Title of invention] Moisturizing mask with artificial nose

[Application number] Patent application 2018-194669 (P2018-194669)

[Filing date] September 26, 2018 (2018.9.26)

[Applicant].

[Identification number] 392001690

[Inventor] [Name] Kiyoshi Yasuda

[Summary]

In the past, a device was used by connecting a respirator to the bronchial tubes to moisturize them. If a filter with a moisture retention function in the exhaled air, i.e., an artificial nasal filter, which has been conventionally connected to a respirator to retain moisture in the bronchial tubes, is attached to a mask with an opening, a remarkable moisture retention effect can be obtained.

[Claim 1]

A mask that is not connected to a respiratory device and that has an opening for mounting a housing for an artificial nasal filter.

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Technical field

Medical and health care

Medical and health care fields

Background technology

[0002]

Some patients suffer from extreme dryness in the mouth and bronchial tubes due to stroke, pneumonia, or other diseases. When the oral cavity and bronchial cavity become extremely dry, patients experience significant mouth blackmail, difficulty expectorating, and difficulty swallowing. In addition, germs may proliferate and cause secondary diseases.

[Summary of the invention]

The problem to be solved by the invention

[0003]

In severe cases, a tracheostomy is performed and the patient is connected to a respirator to provide artificial moisture in the mouth and bronchi. However, there are many more patients who do not use a respirator but have dry mouth. These patients need a tool to keep their mouths moist. Currently, there are a variety of products on the market that are said to have moisturizing functions, such as masks, intraoral sprayers of pseudo-saliva components, and oral moisturizers.

[0004]

However, they still have problems such as little actual moisturizing effect, lack of lasting moisturizing effect, or need to be used frequently. However, these products still have problems such as little moisturizing effect, poor moisturizing effect, or need to be used frequently.

This is the first time we have used this method.

[0005] [0006]

In the medical field, a filter with a moisture retention function in the exhaled air, called an artificial nose, is used. This filter consists of a hygroscopic band of porous material wrapped in a spiral shape, which allows oxygen in the air to be inhaled while retaining moisture in the exhaled air, thus humidifying the bronchi. To date, this artificial nasal filter has been used in conjunction with a respirator.

[0007]

If the housing that holds the artificial nasal filter is attached to a mask that is molded from soft, shape-retaining materials and is not intended to be connected to a respirator, it can be used to humidify the oral cavity of a patient who is not wearing a respirator.

[0008].

Therefore, the mask should be provided with an opening through which the housing for the artificial nasal filter can be attached.

[0009]

The cylindrical housing should have a circular cross-section and be formed as an integral part of the mask with ]an opening of the same shape as this cross-section, so that the housing can be attached and removed. The housing can be in the shape of an oval or polygonal cross section.

[0010]

A hollow insertion part protruding from the ring may be molded from plastic or other material inside the periphery of one of the cut-off surfaces of the housing, and the housing may be attached to and detached from the mask by that insertion part. The cross-sectional shape of that insertion part may be circular, oval, or polygonal. The housing with the insertion part can be divided into two halves, for example.

The housing with the insertion part can be divided into two halves, each with an artificial nasal filter at its tip.

[0011]

The housing or the insertion part of the housing may be larger than the circumference of the opening, and the housing or insertion part may be attached and detached around the opening of the mask. The artificial nasal filter may be covered with a soft, air-permeable material or cloth-like material that can be attached and detached over the opening of the mask. The mask may be shaped to cover only the lips or part of the nose. There may be multiple openings on the mask for housing inserts.

[0012]

The mask may be equipped with several holes to facilitate the release of carbon dioxide or to adjust the moisture absorption effect, as in conventional masks made of thin, soft, shape-retaining materials.

[Humidification performance evaluation test

[0013]

A humidification performance evaluation test was conducted with this housing and mask, and a small thermometer and hygrometer placed in the oral cavity. The mask was worn from 6:00 am to midnight for six days. The mask was worn from 6:00 am to midnight for six days, and from 6:00 am to 1:00 am for three days starting on May 28. The housing with an artificial nasal filter was attached to the mask from 6:00 am to 1:00 am for three days starting May 28. It is clear that the humidity in the mouth increased to about 95% only during the time when the housing was worn (horizontal line in the upper part of Table).

[Brief description of the drawings.

[0014]

The above example of the housing and mask for the artificial nose filter will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure is a diagram of a cylindrical housing made of plastic. It contains an artificial nasal filter made of hygroscopic porous material wrapped in a spiral shape. Several fasteners are placed at both ends of the housing to prevent the filter from falling out. Because of the elasticity of the filter, the filter should be compressed when stored in the housing. For example, after storing the filter, the clamps can be heat-welded or the opening can be covered with a mesh lid.

[0015].

Figure is a diagram of a housing with a ring and insert molded inside the perimeter of one of the housing's cut-off surfaces.

[0016] Figure shows the housing or the insertion part.

Figure is a diagram of the housing or a mask with an opening for attaching and detaching the insert and a hole for releasing carbon dioxide or other gases.

[0017] [0018]

Figure is a diagram of the mask with the housing attached.

Figure shows a mask with a housing attached.

[0019]

These masks are remarkably effective in moisturizing the oral cavity, as shown in the evaluation test in Table.

Application to Industry

[0020]

The mask can also be used for patients with hay fever, etc., when sleeping.

[0021]

1 Housing

2 Filter

3 Clasp

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