# US 11,998,697 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 11,998,697 B2 - Document ID: US11998697B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/512,549 - Filed: 2021-10-27 - Published: 2022-02-17 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-12 - Assignees: NozeSeal, LLC - Applicants: NozeSeal, LLC - Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple; Lisa Cangelosi Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998697B2 ## 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 that lacks an adhesive and that is positioned between and couples 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 through the third portion; and wherein the universal sealing apparatus has an elongated form that includes first and second major sides that are parallel with one another along a substantial portion of a length of the universal sealing apparatus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The universal sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the third portion further comprises a reinforcement located around the holes; and the third portion has first and second sides that are perpendicular to the first and second major sides of the universal sealing apparatus. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The universal sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the elongated form further includes first and second minor sides, each of the first and second minor sides connecting the first and second major sides; and each of the first and second minor sides is curved outward away from the third portion of the universal sealing apparatus. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The universal sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the third portion further comprises a notch configured to accommodate a columella of the nose; the notch is positioned along the second major side of the universal sealing apparatus; and the first and second major sides are parallel with one another along the length of the universal sealing apparatus except where the notch is positioned. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The universal sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the third portion further comprises a notch configured to accommodate a columella of the nose; and the holes are angled relative to one another such that: the holes are closer together along the first major side; the holes are farther apart along the second major side; and a portion of the notch is located between the holes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The universal sealing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: multiple creases that extend through the third portion and that provide folding lines for the universal sealing apparatus, the holes positioned between the creases. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The universal sealing apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the creases are positioned on opposite sides of the holes; and the creases are angled relative to one another such that the creases are closer together along the first major side and are farther apart along the second major side. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The universal sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second major sides are parallel with one another along the length of the universal sealing apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The universal sealing 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 10 (depends on 1) The universal sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third portions are continuous. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The universal sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third portions are formed from a common material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The universal sealing 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 A system comprising: a pressurized air-delivery system comprising multiple cannulas configured to be inserted into nostrils of a nose, the cannulas having flared portions; 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 that lacks an adhesive and that is positioned between and couples the first and second portions, the third portion configured to: removably receive the cannulas, 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 through the third portion; and wherein the universal sealing apparatus has an elongated form that includes first and second major sides that are parallel with one another along a substantial portion of a length of the universal sealing apparatus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the pressurized air-delivery system comprises a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein: the third portion further comprises a reinforcement located around the holes; and the third portion has first and second sides that are perpendicular to the first and second major sides of the universal sealing apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein: the elongated form further includes first and second minor sides, each of the first and second minor sides connecting the first and second major sides; and each of the first and second minor sides is curved outward away from the third portion of the universal sealing apparatus. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein: the third portion further comprises a notch configured to accommodate a columella of the nose; the notch is positioned along the second major side of the universal sealing apparatus; and the first and second major sides are parallel with one another along the length of the universal sealing apparatus except where the notch is positioned. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein: the third portion further comprises a notch configured to accommodate a columella of the nose; and the holes are angled relative to one another such that: the holes are closer together along the first major side; the holes are farther apart along the second major side; and a portion of the notch is located between the holes. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the universal sealing apparatus further comprises multiple creases that extend through the third portion and that provide folding lines for the universal sealing apparatus, the holes positioned between the creases. ### Claim 20 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 that lacks an adhesive and that is positioned between and couples the first and second portions, the third portion configured to: removably receive the cannulas, 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 through the third portion; and wherein the universal sealing apparatus has an elongated form that includes first and second major sides that are parallel with one another along a substantial portion of a length of the universal sealing apparatus.