WO1997032539A1

WO1997032539A1 - Device for conveying treated air to the respiratory system of an animal

Info

Publication number: WO1997032539A1
Application number: PCT/IE1997/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aiden Patrick Dunlea; Peadar O'scanaill
Original assignee: Aiden Patrick Dunlea; Scanaill Peadar O
Priority date: 1996-03-04
Filing date: 1997-03-03
Publication date: 1997-09-12
Also published as: IES73224B2; AU2227897A

Abstract

A device (10) for conveying treated air to the respiratory system of an animal, for example a thoroughbred horse, comprises a pair of tubes (12) joined together along a portion of their lengths. An end (14) of each tube (12) is inserted into a nasal cavity of the animal. An inflatable cuff (16) is provided proximal to the end (14) of each tube (12), and when inflated within the nasal cavity the cuffs (16) hold the tubes (12) in position such that the animal receives air via the tubes (12). A treatment unit (11) is attached to the other end (13) of each tube (12), such that air inhaled by the animal is drawn through the treatment units (11) via the tubes (12) into the air passages of the animal. The treatment units (11) may filter the inhaled air to remove dust and other contaminants or they may impregnate the air with a medicament. A set of valves (18, 19, 20) ensures that no exhaled air passes through the treatment unit (11) and that the animal can breathe safely in the event of a blockage or if the passage of air through the device (10) is impeded in any way. The device (10) can be worn for extended periods of time, even when the animal is exercising.

Description

Device for conveying treated air to the respiratory system of an animal

This invention relates to a device for conveying treated air to the respiratory system of an animal, in particular to a device which can be inserted into the nasal cavity of the animal, especially a horse.

In general, the air which is inhaled by animals contains dust and is contaminated and this may affect the health of the animal. This is of particular relevance to performing animals who undergo considerable physical exertion and these animals are prone to undesirable side effects if exposed to high levels of contaminants. Conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and similar respiratory disorders have been attributed to the dust levels in the air. Various air-borne allergens have also been implicated as causative agents of COPD. Therefore a serious problem exists if the air being inhaled by the animal is not sufficiently pure.

Irish Patent No. S64173 proposes an apparatus for reducing dust levels in a housing unit for an animal. A stream of filtered air is constantly supplied to the animal for inhalation, and any dust created within the unit is excluded from the region in which the animal typically breathes. This apparatus is relatively costly and regular maintenance of the system is necessary and expensive. An apparatus is sought which is cheaper , more flexible and which is not confined to the housing unit.

A further problem encountered by many veterinary surgeons and other people dealing with performing animals, is the difficulty of administering medicaments to these animals, particularly on a continuous or repeated basis.

In the case of conditions or diseases involving the respiratory system treatments of the type used in the case of humans, such as the use of an oxygen tent, are not practical in the case of animals. The horse and other animals are not amenable to the use of a gas mask in the conscious state. Thus, other devices and means of treatment must be devised. For example, drugs such as antibiotics are occasionally administered intranasally by the use of tubes which convey the drug from a receptable to the nasal passages under supervision, normally involving a veterinary surgeon.

An apparatus which would allow for the continuous administration of treated (e.g. dust-free or medicament-carrying) air without constant supervision would be a distinct advantage.

Thus, the invention provides a device for conveying treated air to the respiratory system of an animal, said device comprising a nasal cavity insert, means for retaining the insert in the nasal cavity, and a treatment unit, in communication with the insert, through which air is inhaled.

The term "treated air" as used herein includes air which has been filtered or air which has been exposed to and acts as a carrier of a medicament as hereinafter described.

The device according to the invention can be worn by the animal for extended periods of time, even when the animal is exercising. Although in practice, the device would generally be removed from a stabled animal when the animal is exercised. Thus, the device could be worn for twenty three out of twenty four hours in any one day.

Suitably, the animal is a horse, more especially a thoroughbred.

Preferably, the nasal cavity insert is a tube-like structure. The tube-like structure is preferably manufactured using a material which is non-allergenic so as to avoid the possibility of any allergic reactions when the tube-like structure is placed in the nasal cavity. A plastics pipe manufactured from a material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is suitable.

Preferably, the insert is in communication with means for release of expired air, such as a one-way valve. This type of valve provides an easy escape for the air expired by the animal and prevents most of the exhaled air from passing back through the entire length of the insert and through the treatment unit, thereby, possibly contaminating said unit.

Preferably, the means for retaining the insert in the nasal cavity is an inflatable cuff or a barb. The cuff or barb acts like an anchor retaining the tube in position in the nasal cavity. A hypo-allergenic rubber or plastics barb is suitably used. However, an inflatable cuff made from a material which is hypo-allergenic and capable of being inflated, such as a flexible plastics material, is more adaptable and is therefore preferred. The cuff is in the uninflated state when inserted into the nasal cavity and can be inflated by using a syringe or an air pump. When fully inflated the cuff provides good retention in the nasal cavity. The barb or cuff is bonded onto the insert using a hypo-allergenic adhesive material. The anatomy of a horse's nasal cavity is particularly suited to holding an inflated cuff, even when the horse is undergoing strenuous exercise. If required, the means for retaining the insert in the nasal cavity may further comprise a nose band. The nose band may suitably comprise a generally U-shaped plastics or elastic member which extends from one nasal cavity to the other nasal cavity over the top of the horse's nose such that the insert is secured intermediate the nose and the nose band. The nose band is clamped in both nasal cavities to ensure that the device remains in position if the horse moves vigorously.

Further, preferably, means are provided for preventing exhalation through the treatment unit, such as a non-return valve. This valve ensures that no exhaled air from the animal passes through the treatment unit, as such air would possibly be contaminated and this could affect the correct functioning of the unit. This valve provides a back-up system for the one-way valve when such is present in the device.

Preferably, the device further comprises a safety valve for restoring normal breathing in the event of a blockage in the device. If a filter becomes blocked or a problem arises with the inhalation or exhalation of air through the device, this safety valve provides a path through which the animal can breathe. Further, preferably, the treatment unit is a filter.

The filter can contain a medicament, for example, a medicament can be incorporated in the filter by impregnation. Such a medicament is preferably in the form of a powder of a density which can flow in a stream of air passing therethrough or, alternatively, in a form which vaporises in a stream of air.

If the device is required to clean the air being inhaled by the animal, a filter is adequate. The process of filtering the air provides the animal with air which is free from dust and other particles which might be present in the air and to which the animal may be allergic or which may provoke unfavourable reactions.

Alternatively, the primary purpose of the device may be to administer a medicament to the animal. In this situation, the treatment unit can comprise a cartridge or other support for the medicament which is again conveyed to the nasal cavity of the animal on inhalation of air.

In this way, air inhaled by the animal can be treated by filtering and/or medicating the air.

Examples of such medicaments are antibiotics, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-asthmatic agents and an'i ungal agents.

Indeed, the nasal insert can act as a carrier for a medicament which enters the bloodstream transmucosally.

The average pore size of the filter is suitably in the range 0.05μm to lOμm, and preferably in the range 0.1 μm to l.Oμm.

Further preferably, the device is held in position by a flexible material which covers the animal's head, an example of such a material being the elasticated fabric known as "Lycra" ("Lycra" is a trade mark). Alternatively or additionally, a harness is used to keep the device in place on the animal.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises two inflatable cuffs, each of which can be positioned in a nasal cavity of the animal. With this embodiment, each cuff holds a tube in position and each tube leads to a separate treatment unit.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of a horse's head showing the device of Fig. 1 in place; and

Fig. 3 is a front view of a horse's head showing the device of Fig. 1 in place.

In Fig. 1 there is indicated, generally at 10, a device according to the invention for conveying treated air to the respiratory system of a horse comprising two filters 11 each of which is attached to a tube 12 at one end 13 thereof. The other end 14 of either tube 12 can be inserted into a nasal cavity 15 of the horse (see Figs. 2 and 3). The two tubes 12 are joined together along a portion of their length intermediate their ends 13 and 14. The ends 14 of the tubes 12 define nasal inserts. An inflatable cuff 16 is attached proximal to the end 14 of each tube 12. The cuffs 16 are in the uninflated state when inserted into the nasal cavities 15. The cuffs 16 are then inflated, for example, by inserting a syringe (not shown) into a valve 17 and injecting air to inflate each of the cuffs 16. The cuffs 16 in their inflated state retain the tubes 12 in the nasal cavities 15. A groove is provided in the surface of the cuffs 16 in the inflated state to allow ducting of any tears through the horse's nasal tear duct when the device is in position in the nasal cavities 15. Air which is inhaled by the animal is drawn through the filters 11 via the tubes 12 into the respiratory system and conveyed directly to the lungs of the animal. The animal thus inhales air which has been treated and, therefore, one has complete control over the air being inhaled by the animal with this device. When the air is exhaled by the animal, one-way valves 18 allow the exhaled air to pass out of the tubes 12, and prevent most of the exhaled air from passing back through the entire length of the tubes 12, as this contaminated air could possibly interfere with the filters 11. To ensure that no exhaled air reaches the filters 11 , a non- return valve 19 is positioned in each tube 12 close to the filter 11. The valves 19 guarantee that the filters 11 are free from any contaminants or dirt which the animal may exhale. Further safety valves 20 (only one shown in Fig. 1) are attached to the tubes 12 downstream of the one-way valves 18. These valves 20 provide a back-up to the device 10 in the event that air cannot be expired through the valves 18 due to a mechanical failure in their operation or in the event that the filters 11 become blocked. Thus, the safety valves 20 ensure that the animal will still be able to breathe in the event that the passage of air through the device 10 is impeded in any way.

Referring additionally to Figs. 2 and 3, the device 10 is shown in place on a horse 21. When the tubes 12 are inserted into the nasal cavities 15 of the horse 21 , the inflatable cuffs 16 (see Fig. 1) are then inflated to maintain the tubes 12 in place in the nasal cavities 15. The two filters 11 are placed at the back of the head 22. Each filter 11 is connected to a tube 12 which passes over the head between the ears 23. The tubes 12 pass along the front of the head and enter the nasal cavities 15. A nose band 24 comprising a resilient U-shaped plastics member is clamped in both nasal cavities 15 and extends over the top of the horse's nose such that the tubes 12 are secured intermediate the nose and the nose band 24. This ensures that the tubes 12 are held in position in the nasal cavities 15 of the horse 21, even if the horse moves its head vigorously. In Fig. 3 the front view of the horse's head shows that the tubes 12 join together at the front. The device 10 as illustrated comprises a circular tube 12 however, this tube 12 could also have a semi -circular shape, for ease of attachment to the horse and for ease of use.

The device 10 could also be held in position by a harness or a flexible material which covers the animal's head without obstructing the horse's vision.

It is also possible for the device 10 to comprise a single filter attached to a single tube which splits into two tubes (one of which enters each nasal cavity). This would provide a lighter and less bulky device, if required, when in place on the animal. The tubes 12 then part and enter the nasal cavities 15.

Claims

Claims: -

1. A device for conveying treated air to the respiratory system of an animal, said device comprising a nasal cavity insert, means for retaining the insert in the nasal cavity, and a treatment unit, in communication with the insert, through which air is inhaled.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the animal is a horse.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert is a tube-like structure.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert is in communication with means for release of expired air.

5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein the means for release of expired air is a one-way valve.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for retaining the insert in the nasal cavity is an inflatable cuff.

7. A device according to any one of Claims 1-5, wherein the means for retaining the insert in the nasal cavity is a barb.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein means are provided for preventing exhalation through the treatment unit.

9. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the means for preventing exhalation through the treatment unit is a non-return valve.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a safety valve for restoring normal breathing in the event of a blockage in the device.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the treatment unit is a filter.

12. A device according to Claim 11, wherein the filter contains a medicament.

13. A device according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the filter has an average pore size in the range 0.05μm to lOμm.

14. A device according to Claims 11 or 12, wherein the filter has an average pore size in the range of 0.1 μm to l.Oμm.

15. A device according to any one of Claims 1 -10, wherein the treatment unit is a cartridge which contains a medicament.

16. A device according to any preceding claim, which is held in position by a flexible material which covers the animal's head.

17. A device according to any one of Claims 1-15, which is held in position by a harness.

18. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.