SINGLE NASAL PRONG NASAL CANNULA

1 . A device for delivering breathing gas to a patient comprising:

a) a single nasal prong insertable into a nare of the patient, the single nasal prong sized to allow gas passage between the single nasal prong and the nare; and

b) a lumen in fluid flow communication with the single nasal prong.

2 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a tubing portion in fluid flow communication with the lumen.

3 . The device according to claim 2 , further comprising a connector adapted to receive the breathing gas, wherein the connector is in fluid flow communication with the tubing portion.

4 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the single nasal prong extends from a nasal element.

5 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein the nasal element comprises a grasping member extending therefrom and positioned to be grasped by a user of the device.

6 . The device according to claim 4 , wherein the single nasal prong is asymmetrically disposed on the nasal element.

7 . The device according to claim 4 , further comprising a second lumen in fluid flow communication with the nasal element.

8 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the single nasal prong comprises a reverse taper shape.

9 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the single nasal prong comprises a generally arcuate cross sectional shape.

10 . A system for delivering breathing gas to a patient, the system comprising:

a) a source of breathing gas; and

b) a device for delivering breathing gas to a patient comprising:

i) a single nasal prong insertable into a nare of the patient, the single nasal prong sized to allow gas passage between the single nasal prong and the nare; and

ii) a lumen in fluid flow communication with the single nasal prong.

11 . The system according to claim 10 , wherein the source of breathing gas comprises a vapor-phase humidification system.

12 . A method of administering breathing gas to a patient comprising the steps of:

a) fitting one nare of the patient with a single nasal prong of a nasal cannula such that a space exists between the single nasal prong of the nasal cannula and the nare of the patient; and

b) delivering the breathing gas to the nare of the patient through the single nasal prong while evacuating a portion of gas through the space between the single nasal prong of the nasal cannula and the nare of the patient and through the other nare of the patient.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein delivering the breathing gas comprises the step of delivering the breathing gas at a rate of between about 5 and 40 liters per minute.

14 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein delivering the breathing gas comprises the step of delivering the breathing gas at a rate of between about 1 and 8 liters per minute.

15 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein delivering the breathing gas comprises the step of delivering the breathing gas at a temperature of between about 33.0° C. to about 43.0° C.

16 . The method according to claim 12 , further comprising the step of inserting a medical device into the other nare and performing a medical procedure on the patient with the medical device.

17 . A method of flushing carbon dioxide from an upper airway of a patient comprising the steps of:

inserting a single prong of a single prong nasal cannula into one nare of the patient;

providing breathing gas to the one nare through the single prong;

inhaling the breathing gas through the one nare and into the upper respiratory tract; and

exhaling a portion of the breathing gas through a space between the single prong and the one nare and another portion of the breathing gas through a remaining nare and exhaling the carbon dioxide with the exhaled breathing gas.

18 . A method of relieving breathing gas pressure to a patient generated by excess breathing gas flow to the patient comprising the steps of:

inserting a single prong of a single prong nasal cannula into one nare of the patient;

providing a flow rate breathing gas to the one nare through the single prong;

inhaling a portion of the breathing gas through the one nare and into the upper respiratory tract; and

discharging a remaining portion of the breathing gas through a space between the single prong and the one nare and another of the remaining portion of the breathing gas through a remaining nare.