Gas flow control device

A device for controlling flow of gas from a gas source to a patient, said device comprising:

• a nasal cannula providing fluid communication between said gas source and said patient, said nasal cannula including two prongs adapted to fit within nostrils of said patient, a first and a second portion of said nasal cannula in fluid communication with said prongs being adapted to fit respectively between a first and a second ear and head of said patient;
• a first sensor positioned on said first portion of said nasal cannula, said first sensor adapted to sense a degree of curvature of said first portion of said nasal cannula and generate first signals indicative thereof;
• an actuator engaged with said nasal cannula between said gas source and said first and second portions of said nasal cannula, said actuator having a first configuration permitting flow of gas from said gas source through said nasal cannula to said first and second portions of said nasal cannula, and a second configuration preventing flow of gas from said gas source through said nasal cannula to said first and second portions of said nasal cannula;
• a controller in communication with said first sensor and said actuator, said controller adapted to receive said first signals from said first sensor and adjust said actuator between said first and second configurations, said controller adjusting said actuator to said first configuration when said first sensor senses said degree of curvature greater than a threshold value, said controller adjusting said actuator to said second configuration when said first sensor senses said degree of curvature less than said threshold value.