# US 11,305,086 B2 · Air-delivery system for breathing-assist devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,086 B2 - Document ID: US11305086B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/290,707 - Filed: 2019-03-01 - Published: 2019-06-27 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-12 - Assignees: NozeSeal, LLC - Applicants: NozeSeal, LLC - Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple; Lisa Cangelosi Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305086B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0666: {Nasal cannulas or tubing (devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02)} - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 16/0688: {by means of an adhesive} - A61M 16/0069: {the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation} - A61M 16/049: {Mouthpieces} - A61M 16/0493: {with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block} - A61M 16/0633: {with forehead support} - A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes} - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M 2205/8212: with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption - A61M 2210/0625: Mouth - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An embodiment of the disclosure provides a universal sealing apparatus for one or more cannulas. The apparatus includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first and second portions are configured to removably adhere directly or indirectly to a nose. The third portion is coupled to the first and second portions. The third portion removably couples to one or more cannulas and places a force upon a base of flared portions of the one or more cannulas when the first and second portions are adhered to the nose. The force maintains a fluid seal of the one or more cannulas within one or more respective nostrils of the nose. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A universal sealing apparatus comprising: a first portion configured to removably adhere directly or indirectly to a first outer side of a nose; a second portion configured to removably adhere directly or indirectly to a second outer side of the nose; and a third portion between and coupling the first and second portions, the third portion configured to: removably receive multiple cannulas of a pressurized air-delivery system that are configured to be inserted through the third portion of the universal sealing apparatus and into nostrils of the nose, the cannulas having flared portions, and place a force upon bases of the flared portions of the cannulas when the first and second portions are adhered to the nose to maintain the flared portions of the cannulas within the nostrils of the nose and to maintain fluid seals of the cannulas with the nose; wherein the third portion comprises: multiple holes, each hole configured to receive and allow passage of one of the cannulas completely through the third portion; a reinforcement located at least around the holes; and multiple creases that extend through the third portion including through the reinforcement of the third portion and that provide folding lines for the universal sealing apparatus, the holes positioned between the creases. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holes are configured to: allow passage of the flared portions of the cannulas through the third portion when deformed; and restrict passage of the flared portions of the cannulas through the third portion when not deformed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third portion further comprises a notch configured to accommodate a columella of the nose. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the notch is positioned along a longer side of the apparatus, the notch located between the holes and between the creases. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions include an adhesive that allows the first and second portions to directly adhere to the nose. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive configured to adhere to skin when pressed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are removably coupleable to the third portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first and second portions are configured to be disposed upon a loss of or reduction of an ability to adhere directly or indirectly to the nose without disposing of the third portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be disposed upon a loss of or reduction of an ability of one or both of the first and second portions to adhere directly or indirectly to the nose. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third portions are continuous. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third portions are formed from a common material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third portion is configured to receive different cannulas from different cannula, nose pillow, or pressurized air-delivery system manufacturers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third portion extends past both of the creases. ### Claim 14 A system comprising: a pressurized air-delivery system comprising multiple cannulas configured to be inserted into nostrils of a nose; and a universal sealing apparatus comprising: a first portion configured to removably adhere directly or indirectly to a first outer side of the nose; a second portion configured to removably adhere directly or indirectly to a second outer side of the nose; and a third portion between and coupling the first and second portions, the third portion configured to: removably receive the cannulas of the pressurized air-delivery system, the cannulas configured to be inserted through the third portion of the universal sealing apparatus and into the nostrils of the nose, the cannulas having flared portions; and place a force upon bases of the flared portions of the cannulas when the first and second portions are adhered to the nose to maintain the flared portions of the cannulas within the nostrils of the nose and to maintain fluid seals of the cannulas with the nose; wherein the third portion comprises: multiple holes, each hole configured to receive and allow passage of one of the cannulas completely through the third portion; a reinforcement located at least around the holes; and multiple creases that extend through the third portion including through the reinforcement of the third portion and that provide folding lines for the universal sealing apparatus, the holes positioned between the creases. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the pressurized air-delivery system comprises a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second portions lack the reinforcement. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the first and second portions are removably coupleable to the third portion. ### Claim 18 A method comprising: inserting multiple cannulas of a pressurized air-delivery system through a universal sealing apparatus, the cannulas having flared portions; and attaching the universal sealing apparatus to a nose in order to seal the cannulas within nostrils of the nose; wherein the universal sealing apparatus comprises: a first portion configured to removably adhere directly or indirectly to a first outer side of the nose; a second portion configured to removably adhere directly or indirectly to a second outer side of the nose; and a third portion between and coupling the first and second portions, the third portion configured to: removably receive the cannulas through the third portion; and place a force upon bases of the flared portions of the cannulas when the first and second portions are adhered to the nose to maintain the flared portions of the cannulas within the nostrils of the nose and to maintain fluid seals of the cannulas with the nose; wherein the third portion comprises: multiple holes, each hole configured to receive and allow passage of one of the cannulas completely through the third portion; a reinforcement located at least around the holes; and multiple creases that extend through the third portion including through the reinforcement of the third portion and that provide folding lines for the universal sealing apparatus, the holes positioned between the creases. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the third portion is configured to receive different cannulas from different cannula, nose pillow, or pressurized air-delivery system manufacturers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the first and second portions are removably coupleable to the third portion. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising: after the flared portions of the cannulas are inserted through the holes of the third portion and the first and second portions are adhered to the nose, delivering pressurized air through the cannulas to the nose while the fluid seals prevent air leakage from the nose.