Title:
RESUSCITATION MASK
Document Type and Number:
United States Patent 3626936
Abstract:
A resuscitation device comprising a masking sheet to lay over the mouth of the patient, an opening in the sheet and a valve device attached to the sheet to permit air to be blown through the opening into the patient's mouth, said opening being closed by the valve device by exhalation from the patient.
Application Number:
04/869727
Publication Date:
12/14/1971
International Classes:
A61M16/00; A61M16/00
Field of Search:
128/145,145.5,145.7,146.5 137/525,496
US Patent References:
| 2578621 | Respirator mask | December 1951 | Yant | |
| 2995131 | Face mask | August 1961 | Elam | |
| 3176712 | Non-return valve | April 1965 | Ramsden | |
| 3286710 | Apparatus for use in mouth-to-mouth resuscitation | November 1966 | Bartlett | |
Primary Examiner:
Gaudet, Richard A.
Assistant Examiner:
Dunne G. F.
Claims:
I claim
1. A resuscitation aid device for use by a donor in the resuscitation of a patient, comprising a generally flat-surfaced, substantially rigid valve plate having a first aperture therein, and an apertured, flexible, face-masking sheet adapted to fall loosely on the patient's face with the aperture of the sheet overlying the patient's mouth, said face-masking sheet being attached flat against the valve plate with its aperture offset from said first aperture to permit air to be blown through the apertures into the patient's mouth, said sheet being large enough to extend beyond the valve in all directions over the patient's face, said first aperture being closed by face-to-face contact of the flexible sheet and the flat surface of said valve plate upon exhalation from the patient, but permitting exhalation by the patient from around the valve piece and under the sheet when the donor's mouth is removed from the device.
2. A resuscitation device as claimed in claim 1 having a mouthpiece attached to the sheet on the opposite side from the valve piece and adapted to enter the patient's mouth.
3. A resuscitation device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mouthpiece is an endless wall of synthetic plastic material secured to the sheet on the opposite side thereof from the valve member and surrounding the said apertures and opening.
4. A resuscitation device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mouthpiece is provided with a transverse bar across the opening.
Description:
This invention relates to means to facilitate resuscitation of a patient by blowing or breathing into the patient's mouth. The object of the invention is to obviate mouth to mouth contact and the disagreeable consequences to the donor of the exhalation of air or fluid from the patient's lungs or stomach.
According to the invention a resuscitation device comprises a masking sheet to lay over the mouth of the patient, an opening in the sheet, and a valve device attached to the sheet to permit air to be blown through the opening into the patient's mouth, said opening being closed by the valve device by exhalation from the patient.
A constructional form of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a resuscitation device made in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof.
The device comprises a flexible masking sheet 10 large enough to cover the patient's mouth and nose and a sufficient surrounding area to afford protection between the face of the donor and the patient. The sheet 10 is made of flexible synthetic plastics material, e.g. polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, or polythene.
The sheet 10 is provided with an opening 11 therein through which the breath of the donor is passed to the patient. This opening is controlled by a valve device in the form of a flat member 13 of rigid synthetic plastics material which is attached by sealing it to one side of the sheet 10 so as to surround the opening 11 and an adjacent small area. This member is provided with two holes 15, 16 offset from the opening 11, i.e. on either side thereof leaving a solid part 17 which closes the opening 11 under pressure of exhalation from the patient. Breath from the donor blown through holes 15, 16 lifts the sheet 10 off the part 17 and escapes through opening 11 to the patient.
A mouthpiece 18 is attached by sealing it to the opposite side of the sheet 10. This mouthpiece may be made of rigid plastics material and is in the form of an endless wall that surrounds the opening 11 and holes 15, 16 and is of convenient size to enter the patient's mouth. This mouthpiece is rectangular in shape in order that it may be used to fit both larger and smaller mouths by inserting it with its length disposed transversely or vertically and the mouthpiece when located in the patient's mouth holds the device in the required position over the patient's face.
The device (when the mouthpiece is located in the mouth of a patient requiring resuscitation) is held in such a manner that the facepiece (sheet 10) is opened out over the face of the patient. The nose of the patient may then be closed by the donor pinching it closed over the plastic facepiece. Mouth to mouth resuscitation is then given in the normal way as in mouth-to-mouth operation. Thus the donor applies his mouth against the member 13 and exhales through the valve holes 15, 16 to the patient. The donor then lifts his mouth off the member 13 which permits exhalation by the patient whose breath can escape around the mouthpiece 18 and under the sheet 10. The one way valve allows air to be passed to the patient through the facepiece, either by the donor or the patient when normal breathing is resumed, the exhalation of the patient's breath being passed under the underside of the facepiece, thus giving complete protection to the donor who can continue to give mouth to mouth resuscitation under circumstances that would be either undesirable or even impossible. The size of this device is such that when folded it may be carried as a personal item.
The mouthpiece 18 is formed with an integral transverse stiffening bar 20 across the opening and the bar may serve to prevent too much movement of the sheet 10 at that position.
The device can be carried on the person as a personal item so that it is ready for instant use by a donor when required to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Thus it can prevent delay by the user and this delay can be important as it is essential that it be reduced to a minimum if the operation is to succeed.
The device can be easily used by any person as it does not require any special skill which is adverse to the general teaching of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The device is perfectly safe in use, it can be quickly removed from the patient if required, and it does not in any way interfere with the patient's air passages or breathing in the normal way. The device has no mechanical parts which require special care or replacement; it can easily be cleaned after use and can be used repeatedly. The user can give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation with greater ease because the device keeps the patient's mouth open, thus helping in the inhalation and exhalation.