Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02724950 2010-12-10
ADJUSTABLE, THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT PILLOW
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical devices, and more
specifically, to an adjustable height therapeutic support pillow designed to
accommodate users with breathing assistive masks.
Background of the Invention
[0002] A pillow is typically used during sleep to position the head of a user
to a
certain orientation and, in some medically necessary situations, to prevent
obstruction of the user's airway. Pillows may be used for comfort and/or to
provide assistance to users of certain medical devices that are required to be
worn
during sleep. For example, users diagnosed with clinically significant
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea (OSA) may be prescribed breathing assistive masks for use during
sleep. These breathing assistive masks may be connected to an airflow
generator
with a hose to provide a positive air stream and maintain an open air
passageway
while the user is asleep.
[0003] One drawback to these masks involves keeping the mask sealed on the
user's nose and mouth during sleep. A "normal" pillow is usually rectangular
in
shape, with a horizontal surface on which the user's head may rest during
sleep.
Sleeping on the "normal" pillow may tend to dislodge the seal around the
user's
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nose/mouth because the face and nose are constantly in contact with the
surface of
the pillow. When the seal around the user's nose and/or mouth breaks, air
pressure may be lost through the resulting leak, which in turn may alter the
prescribed therapeutic pressure.
[0004] Thus, it can be seen that there is a need for an apparatus that
facilitates
the use of a pillow where the user must wear a facially oriented medical
device,
such as a breathing assistive mask.
Summary
[00051 An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a pillow
including a top layer, a middle layer and a bottom layer. The top layer
includes a
front neck supporting buttress, a back neck supporting buttress and a cavity
connecting the front neck supporting buttress and the back neck supporting
buttress. The cavity is configured to accommodate a facial mask. The middle
layer is connectable to the top layer and includes at least two inserts.
Removal of
at least one of the inserts provides for customized angulations of the pillow.
The
bottom layer is connectable to one of the top layer or the middle layer.
[0006] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a pillow including a
top layer including a front neck supporting buttress, a back neck supporting
buttress and a cavity connecting the front neck supporting buttress and the
back
neck supporting buttress. The cavity is configured to accommodate a facial
mask.
The pillow also includes a bottom layer connectable to the top layer. An
extension
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of at least one angulation insert is inserted in an opening in the bottom of
the top
layer and an extension of the bottom layer is inserted in an opening in the
bottom
of the angulation insert. The angulation insert is configured to customized
angulation of the pillow.
[0007] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a pillow including a
top layer including a front neck supporting buttress, a back neck supporting
buttress and a cavity connecting the front neck supporting buttress and the
back
neck supporting buttress. The cavity is configured to accommodate a facial
mask.
An extension of at least one angulation insert is inserted in an opening in
the
bottom of the top layer. The angulation insert is configured to customized
angulation of the pillow.
[0008] Details of various embodiments of a pillow for use by an individual
wearing a breathing assistive mask are provided below. It is to be understood
that
variations can be made to these embodiments and still fall within the scope of
the
invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part
of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention that together with the
description serve to explain the principles of the invention, wherein:
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[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable height
therapeutic
support pillow embodying the invention;
[0011] Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of Fig 1;
[0012] Figure 3 illustrates top and side perspective views of Fig 1;
[0013] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate side perspective views of the adjustable
height therapeutic support pillow in use with a full face mask, according to
preferred embodiments of the current invention;
[0014] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate side perspective views of the adjustable
height therapeutic support pillow in use with a user lying in a supine
position; and
[0015] Figure 6 illustrates side perspective views of the adjustable height
therapeutic support pillow in two positions, each position being used to
illustrate a
different embodiment of the inventive pillow.
Detailed Description of Embodiments
[0016] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an adjustable
height therapeutic support pillow possessing symmetrical cavities designed to
accommodate breathing assistive masks. The adjustable height therapeutic
support pillow may reduce pillow contact pressure on the mask, adding comfort
for a user when lying in either the side or supine position. In embodiments of
the
invention, pillow height adjustments may allow for proper height clearance for
varying sizes of masks. The height adjustments may also allow for
customization
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of the pillow to fit the end user by maintaining the neck and upper back in
straight
alignment; thus, anatomically reducing stress on the user's spine and
simultaneously normalizing the alignment of the neck and upper back which
reduces airway resistance and allows the user to breathe more freely.
[0017] In embodiments of the present invention, the height of the pillow may
be
adjustable such that it can be individually customized for an end user in
either the
side-lying or supine positions. Embodiments of the invention may include
removable inserts, removal of at least one of the inserts may result in
customized
angulations of the pillow for support of the user's head and neck,
particularly for a
user lying in the supine position. Variable angulations of the pillow to
support the
user's head and neck while the user is lying in the supine position minimize
airway resistance by maximizing the opening of the oropharyinx. In addition,
proper angulations of the pillow for support of the head and neck may
anatomically provide for gentle traction of the head and neck.
[0018] Figures 1-3 illustrate perspective views of the inventive pillow used
in
embodiments of the invention. Referring to Figure 1, pillow 100 may include a
top layer 4 connectable to a middle layer 5 or to a lower layer 6. Each of the
middle layer 5 and bottom layer 6 includes an extension that can be inserted
into
the layer directly above. Each layer, except the bottom layer 6 includes an
opening into which the extensions from the layer below may be inserted. It
should
be noted that although the inventive pillow is shown in Figure 1 with only one
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middle layer, a pillow incorporating embodiments of the invention may be
assembled with multiple middle layers. Such pillows are, therefore, within the
scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that the
layers of
the present invention may be connectable my other methods.
[0019] Middle layer 5 is shown to include angulation/wedging facilitating
inserts 11 which may be used for added angulations of the pillow. Pillow 100
may
also include a division point 10 of the middle layer 5, wherein the division
point
is created when at least two wedging facilitating inserts 11 are used in the
middle layer.
[0020] Top layer of pillow 100 may also include front and back contour neck
support buttresses 7 and 2. In an embodiment of the invention, the diameter of
the
contour of the back neck support buttress 2 is approximately half an inch
larger
than that of the contour of the front neck support buttress 7. The wedging
facilitating inserts l 1 can be used together to form the middle layer 5 or
they can
be used separately to allow for angulations of the buttresses 2 and 7. Each of
top
layer 4, middle layer 5 and bottom layer 6 may be extended to include a
stabilizing
strut I which increases surface contact with a surface on which the pillow is
placed, for example a bed, thus prevent the pillow from flipping over, as is
best
shown in Figures 2 and 3. In an embodiment not shown, the stabilizing strut 1
may be removable and may be attached to either the front or back contour neck
support buttresses 7 and 2. Top layer of pillow 100 may also include a cavity
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between. front and back contour neck support buttresses 7 and 2 to accommodate
facial masks; at least one concave bridge 8 to support the user's head; and
ribbing
9 between the concave bridges, between a first concave bridge and the front
neck
support buttress, and between a last concave bridge and the back neck support
buttress. The ribbing 9 may allow air flow, as is best shown in Figure 2.
[0021] Figure 4A illustrates an embodiment of the adjustable height
therapeutic
support pillow assembled with only two layers, that is, with only the top
layer 4
and the bottom layer 6. The inventive pillows shown in Figures 4A and 4B are
being used by an individual lying in the side position. As shown in Figure 4A,
the
user's neck is supported with Buttress B. The removal of middle layer 5, as
illustrated in Figure 4A, may enable adjustments to the height of the
inventive
pillow, such that the height of the pillow can be individually customized for
the
user in either the side lying or supine positions.
[0022] Figure 4B illustrates another embodiment of the adjustable height
therapeutic support pillow assembled with all three layers. Similar to the
illustration of Figure 4A, Figure 4B show that the user's neck is also
supported by
Buttress B. The assembly of the layers of inventive pillow may therefore be
individualized to support the size of the user. For example, a larger
individual
may typically require a pillow with a relatively greater height to support the
user's
neck, and may therefore use the pillow illustrated in Figure 4B. On the other
hand, a smaller user may use the pillow illustrated in Figure 4A because of
the
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height of the pillow. The assembly of the inventive pillow may also be
individualized to support the size of the mask being worn by the user. It
should be
apparent to one skilled in the art that there may be other reasons for a user
to
customize the height of the inventive pillow.
[0023] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate side perspective views of the adjustable
height therapeutic support pillow in use with the user is lying in the supine
position. As shown in Figure 5A, middle layer 5 may include only one wedging
facilitating insert 11 to provide for customized angulation of buttress B,
which
support the user's neck. Proper angulations of the buttress supporting the
user's
neck may minimize airway resistance by maximizing the opening of the
oropharyin and may anatomically provide for gentle traction of the head and
neck.
[0024] Figure 5B contrasts angulations of the inventive pillow with that of a
"normal" pillow. Without the proper angulation of the pillow supporting the
user's neck, as shown in 5B-A, the area of resistance may be narrowed, and may
in turn, restrict air flow when the user is sleeping. As shown in Figure 5B-B,
with
the proper angulation of the pillow supporting the user's neck, the area of
resistance may be opened to allow for proper airflow.
[0025] Figure 6 illustrates side perspective views of the adjustable height
therapeutic support pillow in two positions. Positions 1 and 2 illustrated in
Figure
6 are 180 degrees from one another in the horizontal plane. Each position is
shown in four embodiment of the invention. The buttress A or B used in either
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position I or 2 may be dependent of various factors, for example the size of
the
user or the mask being used by the user. For example, larger individuals may
be
required to use a thicker pillow and would thus choose to use the buttress A
for
neck support. Smaller users who require less thickness in the pillow may use
buttress B for neck support. As shown in Figure 6, three layers of adjustable
height along with two sizes of neck buttresses provides for at least eight
possible
height positions of the inventive pillow, as shown in embodiments 1-4 of
Figure 6.
[0026] Embodiments 1-4 of Figure 6 illustrate that the height of the inventive
pillow may be adjustable depending on assembly of the layers. For example, in
embodiment 1, the top 4, middle 5 and bottom 6 layers are used, thereby
resulting
in a pillow with a higher height relative to that of the pillows illustrated
in
embodiments 2 and 3. In embodiment 2, only the top 4 and bottom 6 layers are
assembled, resulting in a relatively higher pillow than that illustrated in
embodiment 3. In embodiment 3, only the top layer 4 is used. As previously
noted, the inventive pillow may include multiple middle layers 5. Thus,
depending on the number of middle layers 6 assembled in the inventive pillow,
the
height of the pillow may vary from that shown in embodiment 1. It should be
noted that although the embodiments shown in Figure 6 illustrate pillows
wherein
the heights and widths of each layer appear to be uniform in the various
embodiments shown, the heights and widths of each of the top 4, middle 5 and
bottom 6 layer may vary.
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[0027] Middle layer 5 is bifurcated into wedging facilitating inserts 11 which
can be used together to form middle layer 5, as shown in embodiment 1 of
Figure
6, or they can be used separately to allow angulations of the buttresses A or
B, as
shown in positions I and 2 of embodiment 4 of Figure 6. In addition, the
height
difference between buttress A and buttress B may allow for variable
angulations of
the head and neck, particularly when the user is lying in the supine position,
thus
minimizing airway resistance by maximizing the opening of the oropharyinx.
[0028] The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments of
this invention. It will be apparent; however, that other variations and
modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of
some or all of their advantages. Therefore, it is the object of the appended
claims
to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit
and
scope of the invention.
