TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to the delivery of oxygen, and in particular, to the delivery of oxygen using oxygen delivery helmet for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treatment I management of respiratory illness.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) refers to an administration of 100% oxygen at pressures that are about 2 to 3 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level or normal atmospheric pressure. Inside a chamber, such as a hyperbaric chamber, the pressure is increased by to about 2 to 3 times the atmospheric pressure and oxygen is delivered to patients using oxygen delivery devices, which cover the entire head and neck of the patients. On account of the elevated pressure, the concentration of oxygen in the patients’ blood increases, which helps in treatment of various medical conditions. Over a period of time, the oxygen delivery devices have evolved from simple masks to various versions of head covered oxygen delivery assemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The detailed description is provided with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0004] FIG. 1 A illustrates a left perspective view of an oxygen delivery helmet, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter;

[0005] FIG. 1 B illustrates a right perspective view of an oxygen deliver helmet, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter;

[0006] FIG. 2A illustrates a right-side view of an oxygen delivery helmet, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter;

[0007] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of an oxygen delivery helmet, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter; [0008] FIG. 3A-3B illustrates exploded views of a latch member of an oxygen delivery helmet, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter;

[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an intersection of a transparent helmet top and a helmet bottom assembly of an oxygen delivery helmet, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter; and

[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a patient accommodating an oxygen delivery helmet, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

[0011] It may be noted that throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In HBOT, the patients are subjected to the treatment for longer periods of time at each sitting depending on a medical condition of a patient being treated. Patients may also be wheeled in stretchers to undergo this treatment in the chamber. Therefore, the oxygen delivery device may have to be comfortable and leakages, if any, through the oxygen delivery device may have to be reduced. Further, the oxygen delivery devices may have to be transparent to ensure convenience of the patients. Since the oxygen delivery device may have long periods of usage, the device may have to be considerably light, well-balanced, and may have to have the ability to help the patient rest the neck/head against a support. Sealing systems on the oxygen delivery device may have to be comfortable against skin of the patient and thereby, preventing any irritations caused to the patient. When the patients are wheeled in stretchers, the patients may have to be subjected to a minimum effort, when the oxygen delivery devices are put on and removed. Further, in such scenarios, movement of the head of the patients may have to be limited or may have to be avoided. Furthermore, in some cases, attenders to the patients may have to gain immediate or sudden access to the patients and thereby, needing fast access to the head of the patients.

[0013] Oxygen delivery devices may be used in treatment and management of respiratory illness in a hospital setting. The oxygen delivery devices may be used in conjunction with Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (Bi- PAP), Continuous-Positive Airway Pressure (C-PAP) machine, Ventilation systems, and as stand-alone with Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) and Oxygen supply in helping and assisting patients with difficulty in breathing. In such applications, the oxygen delivery devices may have to meet the aforementioned requirements. Additionally, the oxygen delivery devices may have to retain pressure to ensure that the pressure inside the oxygen delivery device is higher than outside environment pressure. Further, the oxygen delivery device may have to be fastened easily with minimal effort, preferably by one person. In the above-mentioned applications, sudden interventions to the patients from the care-givers may be required and thereby, the oxygen delivery devices may have to facilitate easy and immediate removal with minimal disturbance to the patients.

[0014] In the case of administration of anaesthesia in a non-invasive manner, generally, the anaesthesia is administrated through a mask. The usage of a mask leads to a leakage of the gases from the mask, in the event of a mask not being held against the face of a wearer, and thereby, impacts the caregivers. The oxygen delivery devices with full head covered may be used in such scenarios, to administer anaesthesia to keep the gases confined to the wearer. In addition, in some cases, when there is a trauma to the head or the neck, additional care may have to be taken to ensure that there is very limited movement of the head of the patient to put on or remove the oxygen delivery device.

[0015] Generally, the head covered oxygen delivery device includes a neck ring, a hood part, coupling and sealing between the hood and the neck ring, and a suspender. The neck ring includes an indicia-marking neck seal. The neck seal may facilitate sealing in the neck portion. The hood part includes a transparent body coupled to the neck ring. The suspenders are belts that run under shoulder of the wearer and are coupled to the hood. The suspenders may keep the entire assembly of the oxygen delivery device in place during oxygen delivery.

[0016] A conventional oxygen delivery device, due to their complex structure, has multiple sealing conditions and thereby, is difficult to manufacture. Further, the accommodation and removal of such oxygen delivery devices is difficult. Another conventional oxygen delivery device has a rapid coupling element and involves major movements of the head and the neck of the patient and is difficult to remove and put on. Still another conventional oxygen delivery device has a single small aperture opening which will not be sufficient for caregivers for sudden interventions.

[0017] Thus, the conventional oxygen delivery devices do not facilitate easy accommodation of the device by a single person, elimination of disturbance or movement caused to the head or neck during accommodating and removal of the oxygen delivery device, ease and fast removal of the hood in the event of an emergency, integrated clamping system, removal of helmet when the patient is lying down with the oxygen delivery helmet, in scenarios, such as administration of anesthesia, and the like.

[0018] To address the foregoing technical challenges, examples described herein relate to an oxygen delivery helmet. In an example, the oxygen delivery helmet (hereinafter referred to as the helmet) may include a transparent helmet top. The transparent helmet top is designed in such a manner that it is to provide a covering by which a face of a patient may be covered when the helmet is fitted onto the patient. The transparent helmet top may be of differing shapes and sizes which provides the covering over the face of the patient. For example, the transparent helmet top is an oval-shaped structure including a top broader end and a bottom narrower end. The transparent helmet top may further include a first closed surface and a second open surface.

[0019] Proceeding further, the helmet may further include a helmet bottom assembly including an open bottom portion and a back portion. The design and dimensions of the open bottom portion is such that it allows passage to a head of the patient. The helmet bottom assembly further includes a pair of side portions (e.g., a left side portion and a right-side portion) which are extending from the back portion to the open bottom portion to form an open front portion. The open front portion of the helmet bottom assembly is such that it allows the transparent helmet top to be removably secured or sealed to it. For example, the dimensions of the open front portion resembles the dimensions of the second open surface of the transparent helmet top.

[0020] The helmet may further include a neck sleeve which is to provide a sealing, when accommodated, around the neck of the patient. The neck seal is of a flexible and an airtight material providing a leak proof contact between the neck of the patient and the neck seal. The neck seal may be attached to the helmet bottom assembly and provide a passage for the patients head to pass through it.

[0021] When the entire helmet is to be fitted, the neck seal fitted onto the helmet bottom assembly may be initially positioned such that a top end of the neck seal is in contact with the patient’s head. The helmet bottom assembly may then be pulled down. As the helmet bottom assembly is pulled down, the neck seal, owing to its flexible and elastic material, is temporarily deformed by the facial contours, as it is moved down the patient’s face. As soon as the top end clears the mandible portion of the patient’s face, the top end snaps back and snuggly fits around the neck portion of the patient, thereby providing the sealing around the neck.

[0022] Based on the above description, it may be noted that the oxygen delivery helmet ensures minimal or nil movement of head or neck of the patient when the patient is lying down against a seat or bed. Further, in case of any emergency, the claimed oxygen delivery helmet provides easy access to the head of the patient. For example, in a place, such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting, the patient is lying down on the bed with oxygen delivery helmet accommodated over the head. In such a case, if either the caregiver wants to access the head of the patient or the patient itself wants to communicate something with the caregiver, the caregiver or the patient itself removes the transparent helmet top from the helmet bottom assembly to uncover the face.

[0023] Further, the claimed oxygen delivery helmet does not require an interference fit as required in conventional oxygen delivery devices for assembling the neck ring with the hood. Therefore, the present subject matter eliminates the requirement of an external pressure, which may otherwise be required in case of the interference fit. Further, locking or sealing between the helmet bottom assembly and the transparent helmet top is ensured with a simple skirt seal. Therefore, the present subject matter eliminates the requirement of a compression force which may otherwise be required in cases where an O-ring is used for sealing. Further the present subject matter also helps with non-invasive anesthesia with adequate protection offered to the caregivers and no requirement of holding the masks against the face. This will also ensure that the patient has no discomfort over extended periods of time.

[0024] The present subject matter is further described with reference to FIGS. 1 -5. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Therefore, various assembly that encompass the principles of the present subject matter, although not explicitly described or shown herein, may be devised from the description and are included within the scope.

[0025] An example head covered oxygen delivery helmet is depicted in FIG. 1A-1 B. Specifically, FIG. 1A illustrates a left perspective view of a head covered oxygen delivery helmet 100 (referred to as helmet 100) and FIG. 1 B illustrates a right perspective view of the helmet 100, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. When fitted onto a head of a patient, such helmet 100 ensures proper supply of oxygen to the patient for proper treatment. In an example, the helmet 100 includes a transparent helmet top 102. The transparent helmet top 102 is to provide a covering by which a face of the patient may be covered when the helmet 100 is fitted onto the patient. The transparent helmet top 102 may be designed in any possible shape, e.g., ellipse, circle, oval, or many more. One of the examples of the material by which the transparent helmet top 102 may be made is plastic, however it may be any other material, without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter.

[0026] Continuing further, the helmet 100 further includes a helmet bottom assembly 104. The helmet bottom assembly 104 is designed in such a manner that it allows the transparent helmet top 102 to be removably secured on it. When accommodated over the head of the patient, the helmet bottom assembly 104 is positioned around the neck of the patient and its bottom end is rested on the shoulders of the patient which is to be treated for any medical condition requiring supply of oxygen at higher pressures. Continuing further, the helmet bottom assembly 104 includes an open bottom portion 106 and a back portion 108. The shape and design of the open bottom portion 106 may be such that it allows the passage to the head of the patient of any sizes for inserting into the helmet 100. In an example, the open bottom portion 106 is an oval-shaped portion with its one end is broader than the other end.

[0027] The helmet bottom assembly 104 further includes a pair of side portions, i.e., a left side portion 110 and a right-side portion 1 12 (referred to as side portions 1 10, 112). The side portions 1 10, 112 extends from the back portion 108 to the open bottom portion 106 to form an open front portion (not shown in FIG. 1 A-1 B). The open front portion may be an oval shaped portion including a top broader end and a bottom narrower end. In an example, the open front portion is designed in such a manner that its top broader end coincides with the back portion 108 and the bottom narrower end coincides with the open bottom portion 106. Further, the open front portion is designed in such a manner that it allows the transparent helmet top 102 to be removably secured on it. To substantiate the same, the transparent helmet top 102 may include a first closed surface and a second open surface whose circumference meets the circumference of the open front portion of the helmet bottom assembly 104 to seal the transparent helmet top 102 onto the helmet bottom assembly 104 to form the helmet 100. It may be noted that, the helmet bottom assembly 104 as a whole unit covers the neck, ears and back of the head of the patient.

[0028] Returning to the present example, the helmet 100 further includes a neck seal 1 14 which is designed to provide a sealing, when accommodated around the patient’s neck, to prevent leakage of the oxygen which may be delivered to the patient during any treatment procedure. In an example, the neck seal 114 is formed of a flexible elastic material, such as rubber, or any other polymer material. In one example, the shape of the neck seal 1 14 may be considered as a conical frustum having a first end 116 and a second end 1 18. The first end 1 16 of the neck seal 1 14 is attached to open bottom portion 106 of the helmet bottom assembly 104 in such a manner that an outer circumference of the first end 1 16 of the neck seal 114 may be accommodated and fixed about a circumference of the open bottom portion 106 of the helmet bottom assembly 104. Further, the second end 118 of the neck seal 1 14 consists of an opening which allow passage for the head of the patient through it. In addition, the neck seal 114 further include circular markings present along its surface to be cut based on the measured dimension of the neck of the patient to have a leak proof contact between the neck seal 1 14 and the patient’s neck. [0029] Additional aspects of the helmet 100 are further described in conjunction with FIGS. 2A-2B. FIG. 2A depicts a right-side view of an example helmet 100, as per one example. FIG. 2B, on the other hand, depicts a perspective view of an example helmet 100 with all components detached from each other, as per another example. As depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B, the second open surface of the transparent helmet top 102 may be enclosed with an outer band 202 having shape similar to the second open surface. For example, if the transparent helmet top 102 is oval-shaped, then the second open surface and outer band 202 are also oval shaped. In another example, the second open surface of the transparent helmet top 102 may be enclosed between an inner band and the outer band 202.

[0030] Continuing further, the outer band 202 may further include at least two elongated protrusions 204 (referred to as elongated protrusions 204). The elongated protrusions 204 extends perpendicularly from an outer surface of the outer band 202. As depicted in FIG. 2B, there are two elongated protrusions 204 which are positioned opposite to each other, i.e., one protrusion on each half of the outer band, when bisected along the longer edge. It may be noted that, the number and position of elongated protrusions 204 is exemplary, it may differ without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter. In one example, the elongated protrusions 204 may include two or more protrusions displaced parallelly from each other to provide an opening in between them to snap a coupling element into the opening (This aspect is described in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3A-3B).

[0031 ] The helmet bottom assembly 104 further includes at least two latch members 206 (referred to as latch members 206) which are hinged along an outer circumference of the open front portion 208 of the helmet bottom assembly 104. In an example, the latch members 206 are moveable between a locking position and an unlocking position. For example, when the latch members 206 are in locking position, it indicates locking or sealing of transparent helmet top 102 with the helmet bottom assembly 104. While, when the latch members 206 are in unlocking position, it indicates that the transparent helmet top 102 is unlocked from the helmet bottom assembly 104. In an example, with the transparent helmet top 102 placed onto the open front portion 208 and the latch members 206 moved from the unlocking position to the locking position, the latch members 206 locks itself with the elongated protrusions 204 to removably secure or seal the transparent helmet top 102 onto the helmet bottom assembly 104. On the other hand, to remove the transparent helmet top 102 from the helmet bottom assembly 104, the latch members 206 are moved from the locking position to the unlocking position.

[0032] It may be noted that the insertion of the elongated protrusions 204 into the corresponding latch members 206 results in a leak proof positive locking between the transparent helmet top 102 and the helmet bottom assembly 104. Further, such locking of elongated protrusions 204 with the latch members 206 facilitates ease of clamping of the transparent helmet top 102 with the helmet bottom assembly 104. Since the latch members 206 are part of the helmet bottom assembly 104, there are no separate or additional parts, such as clips or clamps, required for locking or sealing the helmet bottom assembly 104 with the transparent helmet top 102.

[0033] The present subject matter further provides a locator mechanism which enables accommodation of the helmet 100 by a single person. For example, the outer band 202 of the transparent helmet top 102 further includes a male member 210 along its outer circumference. The male member 210 is an elongated protrusion extending from the outer surface of the outer band 202. On contrary to this, the open front portion 208 of the helmet bottom assembly 104 includes a female member 212 extending orthogonally from the outer circumference of the open front portion 208. In case the patient or the caregiver intends to accommodate the helmet 100 over the patient’s head, initially, the male member 210 present on the outer band 202 is inserted into the female member 212 of the open front portion 208. Such insertion of male member 210 into the female member 212 is to provide a perfect alignment between the elongated protrusions 204 of the transparent helmet top 102 and the latch members 206 of the helmet bottom assembly 104.

[0034] As further depicted in FIG. 2A-2B, the helmet bottom assembly 104 of the helmet 100 may include an inlet port 214 coupled with an inlet pipe (not shown in FIG. 2A-2B) for providing oxygen into the helmet 100 for fulfilling oxygen needs of the patient. The helmet bottom assembly 104 may further include an outlet port 216 coupled with an outlet pipe (not shown in FIG. 2A- 2B) for outputting the exhaust gases from the helmet 100. In an example, the function performed by above disclosed pipes is interchangeable, i.e., inlet port 214 may be used as outlet port 216 and outlet port 216 may be used as inlet port 214, without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter. Although, the inlet and outlet ports, as described in FIGS. 2A-2B, are present only one side portion, i.e. left-side portion 1 10, of the helmet 100, however, other side portion, i.e., right-side portion 1 12 may also include these ports.

[0035] Continuing further, the transparent helmet top 102 further includes a skirt seal 218 such that with the transparent helmet top 102 secured over the helmet bottom assembly 104, the skirt seal 218 comes in contact with the open front portion 208 of the helmet bottom assembly 104 to provide a leak proof positive locking between the transparent helmet top 102 and the helmet bottom assembly 104.

[0036] FIG. 3A-3C depicts an exploded view of the latch members 206 of the helmet bottom assembly 104, as per an example. Specifically, FIG. 3A depicts a front view of the latch members 206, FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of the latch members 206, and FIG. 3C depicts a left-side view and a rightside view of the latch members 206. As depicted in FIG. 3A-3C, the latch members 206 includes a first surface 302 and a second surface 304. In an example, when the latch members 206 are in locking position, i.e., locked with the elongated protrusions 204, the first surface 302 is in contact with the outer band 202 of the transparent helmet top 102, i.e., faces outer band 202 and the second surface 304 of the latch members 206 face outwards.

[0037] In an example, as depicted in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the first surface 302 of the latch members 206 further includes one or more grooves 306 having shape complimentary with respect to the elongated protrusions 204 of the outer band 202. For example, each of the elongated protrusions 204 may include two or more flexible protrusions displaced parallelly from each other to provide an opening in between them to accommodate a coupling element 308 present between the one or more grooves 306. Once the coupling element 308 is accommodated into the opening, the two or more flexible protrusions holds the coupling element 308 with deformations present on their surface and locks or removably secure the transparent helmet top 102 over the helmet bottom assembly 104.

[0038] In another example, as depicted in FIG. 3A-3C, the latch members 206 further include a clip element 310 on left and right side of the latch members 206. The clip element 310 is a flexible element which enhances the locking or sealing of the transparent helmet top 102 with the helmet bottom assembly 104. For example, once the transparent helmet top 102 is placed over the helmet bottom assembly 104, then the latch members 206 are pushed to move from the unlocking position to the locking position. While doing so, a cantilevered end of the clip element 310 moves inwards due to the presence of side walls (not shown in FIG. 3A-3B) aside each of the latch members 206 and once the latch members 206 are locked with the elongated protrusions 204, it move outwards slightly due to its flexible nature and provides a resistance against the side walls to provide a resistance force. Such resistance enables enhanced locking or sealing of the transparent helmet top 102 with the helmet bottom assembly 104.

[0039] The transparent helmet top 102 as discussed in conjunction with the previous figures may further include a sealing element, i.e., skirt seal 218 which provide leak proof sealing between the transparent helmet top 102 and the helmet bottom assembly 104. FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of the intersection between the transparent helmet top 102 and the helmet bottom assembly 104, as per an example. As depicted in FIG. 4, the transparent helmet top 102 further includes the skirt seal 218 protruding from the bottom surface of the transparent helmet top 102. In an example, with the transparent helmet top 102 secured over the helmet bottom assembly 104, the skirt seal 218 comes in contact with the open front portion 208 of the helmet bottom assembly 104 to provide a leak proof contact between the transparent helmet top 102 and the helmet bottom assembly 104.

[0040] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a patient 502 accommodating the example helmet 100 over its head 504. For example, when the patient 502 requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy or any treatment I management of respiratory illness, the helmet 100 is accommodated by the patient 502 over its head 504. In operation, initially, either the patient 502 itself or any medical care provider measures the dimension of the neck of the patient 502. Based on the measured dimension of the neck, the neck seal 1 14 is accordingly being cut along the circular markings present along the surface of the neck seal 1 14 to have a leak proof contact between the neck seal 1 14 and the patient’s neck.

[0041 ] Now, there are two possible ways to accommodate the helmet 100 over the head 504 of the patient 502. For example, as per the first way, the transparent helmet top 102 is already secured over the helmet bottom assembly 104 via locking of latch members 206 with corresponding elongated protrusions 204. In such a case, when the entire assembly, i.e., helmet 100, is to be fitted, the neck seal 114 fitted onto the helmet bottom assembly 104 may be initially positioned such that the second end 1 18 of the neck seal 1 14 is in contact with the patient’s head 504. The helmet 100 may then be pulled down, the neck seal 1 14, owing to its flexible and elastic material, is temporarily deformed by the facial contours, as it is moved down the patient’s face. As soon as the second end 1 18 clears the mandible portion of the patient’s face, the second end 1 18 snaps back and snuggly fits around the neck of the patient 502, thereby providing the necessary neck seal to have a leak proof contact. Once accommodated, the bottom surface of the helmet bottom assembly 104 may rest on the shoulders of the patient 502. Further, the intersection of narrower bottom ends of open bottom portion 106 and the transparent helmet top 102 rests on the chest of the patient 502 and the intersection of the broader top end of the transparent helmet top 102 with the back portion 108 rest behind the head of the patient 502.

[0042] As per the second possible way, the transparent helmet top 102 is not initially locked with the helmet bottom assembly 104. In such a case, the helmet bottom assembly 104 alone with the neck seal 114 attached with it is pushed over the patient’s head 504 and is accommodated around the neck to provide a sealing between the neck and the neck seal, as described in the first case. Subsequently, the transparent helmet top 102 is placed onto the helmet bottom assembly 104 by using the locator mechanism of male-female member (210, 212) to properly align the latch members 206 to the corresponding elongated protrusions 204. Once the transparent helmet top 102 is properly placed, the latch members 206 are pushed inwards to get locked with the elongated protrusions 204 of the transparent helmet top 102 via insertion of the elongated protrusions 204 into the grooves 306 present on the first surface 302 of the latch members 206 to removably secure the transparent helmet top 102 onto the helmet bottom assembly 104.

[0043] In addition to the ease of accommodation, the above disclosed features of the helmet 100 provides easy removal of the transparent helmet top 102 to provide access to the head 504 of the patient 502 to the caregivers. For example, in a place, such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting, the patient 502 is lying down on the bed with helmet 100 accommodated over the head 504. In such a case, if either the caregiver wants to access the head 504 of patient 502, in any emergency situation, or the patient 502 itself wants to communicate something with the caregiver, the caregiver or the patient 502 itself unlocks the latch members 206 from the elongated protrusions 204 to remove the transparent helmet top 102 from the open front portion 208 of the helmet bottom assembly 104 to uncover the face of the patient 502.

[0044] As further depicted in FIG. 5, the helmet bottom assembly 104 of the helmet 100 may include the inlet port (as shown in FIG. 2B) which may be coupled with an inlet pipe 506 for providing oxygen into the helmet 100 for fulfilling oxygen needs of the patient 502. The helmet bottom assembly 104 may further include the outlet port (as shown in FIG. 2B) which may be coupled with an outlet pipe 508 for outputting the exhaust gases from the helmet 100. In an example, the function performed by above disclosed pipes is interchangeable, i.e., inlet pipe 506 may be used as outlet pipe 508 and outlet port 508 may be used as inlet pipe 506, without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter.

[0045] Although the present subject matter has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the subject matter, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the subject matter.