INHALATION MASK FOR HORSES IN HYPOXI-HYPEROXICOTIC THERAPY

Abstract

This utility model relates to veterinary medicine and is intended for administering air, oxygen, and / or anesthetic gas mixtures, as well as medicinal gas mixtures, to a horse's respiratory tract. The inhalation mask for horses used for hypoxic-hyperoxic therapy comprises an inhalation housing designed as a shell with an open base and apex, and having upper and lower sections located, respectively, in the upper and lower regions of the animal's muzzle. A sealing element is located on the inside of the base, an inlet pipe is located at the apex of the housing, connected to a source of inhalation gas mixture via a flexible hose, two permanent outlet valves are installed in the upper part of the housing, and the housing is equipped with a device for securing it to the animal's head.According to the utility model, the sealing element is a soft, closed silicone band that contacts the animal's muzzle and is equipped with a means for adjusting the tightness of contact with the animal's muzzle. The housing is equipped with an additional inlet pipe and removable air valves. The interior of the housing, mounted on the animal's muzzle, communicates with the outside environment via removable exhalation valves and non-removable valves, as well as with a gas mixture supply source via inlet pipes. The device for securing the housing to the animal's head is an adjustable head strap with Velcro fasteners, and the housing is made of soft, impact-resistant polypropylene that is resistant to detergents and disinfectants. 1 fig.

Description

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of veterinary medicine and is intended for the introduction of air, oxygen and / or anesthetic gas mixtures, medicinal gas mixtures into the respiratory tract of a horse, for the preparation of sports and exhibition breeds of racehorses in order to increase their endurance and athletic performance, the recovery of racehorses after physical exertion and injuries, the prevention of chronic diseases in horses, including age-related ones, and improving the reproductive function of horses.

[0002] An inhalation mask for horses is known (see RU Patent No. 235073U1, published on June 19, 2025), comprising an inhalation body made in the form of a shell with an open base and apex and having upper and lower parts located, respectively, in the upper and lower regions of the animal's muzzle, wherein a sealing element is located on the inner side of the base, an inlet pipe is located at the top of the body, communicated with a source of supply of a gas mixture for inhalation by means of a flexible hose, two non-removable outlet valves are installed in the upper part of the body, and the body is provided with a device for fixing it on the head of the animal. The mask is intended for the introduction of medicinal gas mixtures into the respiratory tract of a horse, and the shell of said body contains openings in the lower part and two outlet air valves in the upper part.

[0003] The design of the well-known utility model ensures high therapeutic efficiency due to the animal's comfortable condition during the treatment procedure and the uniform concentration of the medicinal medium.

[0004] The known device ensures high therapeutic efficiency of the inhalation mask by allowing the removal of condensed moisture from the mask and the air exhaled by the animal, while at the same time ensuring a tight fit of the mask to the animal's head.

[0005] A disadvantage of the prototype is the suction of atmospheric air through the holes in the lower part of the body, which does not guarantee the supply of a strictly dosed gas oxygen mixture without impurities to the animal.

[0006] The technical problem is to eliminate the specified deficiencies.

[0007] The technical result consists in increasing the effectiveness of hypoxic-hyperoxic therapy while ensuring increased safety of using an inhalation mask.

[0008] The technical problem is solved and the technical result is achieved in that an inhalation mask for horses during hypoxic-hyperoxic therapy contains an inhalation body made in the form of a shell with an open base and top and having upper and lower parts located, respectively, in the upper and lower areas of the animal's muzzle, wherein on the inner side of the base there is a sealing element, at the top of the body there is an inlet pipe communicated with the source of supply of a gas mixture for inhalation by means of a flexible hose, in the upper part of the body there are two non-removable outlet valves, and the body is provided with a device for fixing it on the head of the animal, wherein, according to the utility model, the sealing element is made in the form of a soft silicone closed tape that contacts the muzzle of the animal and is provided with a means for regulating the density of contact with the muzzle of the animal, the body is provided with an additional inlet pipe,and also removable air valves, while the internal cavity of the housing installed on the animal's muzzle is connected with the environment by means of removable exhalation and non-removable valves, as well as with the source of supply of gas mixture by means of inlet pipes, the device for fixing the housing on the animal's head is made in the form of an adjustable occipital strap of a halter, equipped with Velcro fasteners, and the housing is made of soft, impact-resistant polypropylene, resistant to the effects of detergents and disinfectants.

[0009] The utility model is explained with the help of a drawing.

[0010] The described inhalation mask comprises an inhalation body 1, designed in the form of a shell with an open base and apex, and having upper and lower parts located, respectively, in the upper and lower regions of the animal's muzzle. On the inner side of the base is a sealing element 2, at the top of the body are located the main and additional inlet pipes 3, communicated with a source of supplying a gas mixture for inhalation via a flexible hose (not shown in the drawing). Any known nebulizer or inhaler, for example, an ultrasonic inhaler, or an external generator can be used as a source of supplying hypoxic and hyperoxic gas mixtures. In the upper part of the body 1, two non-removable exhaust valves 4 and two removable exhalation air valves 5 are installed. The body 1 is equipped with a device 6 for fixing it on the head of the animal.Sealing element 2 is designed as a soft, closed silicone band that contacts the animal's muzzle and is equipped with a means 7 for adjusting the band's contact with the animal's muzzle. The sealing element is preferably made of a soft, elastic material that, through its deformation, ensures the anatomical shape of the wide base of housing 1 and its tight fit to the animal's head. The described mask allows for the implementation of a "closed" inhalation circuit without direct communication between the mask's interior and the surrounding environment. That is, the interior of housing 1, after its installation on the animal's muzzle, communicates with the surrounding environment only through removable exhalation valves 5 and non-removable valves 4, and is also connected to the gas mixture supply source through inlet pipes 3.The device 6 for fixing the body 1 on the animal's head is made in the form of an adjustable occipital strap of a halter, equipped with Velcro fasteners 8, and the body 1 is made of soft, impact-resistant polypropylene, resistant to the effects of detergents and disinfectants.

[0011] This design of the mask ensures physiologically uniform breathing of the horse, reducing air flow resistance and eliminating turbulence inside the mask.

[0012] A key feature is the implementation of a closed inhalation circuit. The valve design and overall geometry of the mask eliminate the ingress of atmospheric air, guaranteeing the delivery of a precisely dosed, impurity-free gas mixture to the animal. This distinguishes the described device from prior art, which does not provide complete isolation from the external environment. A significant advantage in terms of veterinary hygiene and operation is provided by the presence of two exhalation valves in the form of a removable valve design (5), which are easily removed, allowing for thorough cleaning and sterilization. Furthermore, the entire mask is made of a material resistant to detergents and disinfectants (soft, yet impact-resistant polypropylene), allowing for complete sanitization between uses, preventing cross-infection of patients.A tight seal and comfortable fit are achieved through the use of a soft silicone sealing strip (2) around the entire contour of the mask body (1). Combined with an extended size range (from XS to XL), this ensures secure fit and even pressure distribution on the muzzles of horses of various breeds and ages, avoiding tissue trauma, which is not always achievable with standard rubber or foam seals. The device's technical reliability and safety are enhanced by the presence of two inlet ports (3) for connecting the gas mixture supply (primary and secondary).

[0013] This solution compensates for oxygen supply shortages during high animal consumption, ensuring uninterrupted respiratory support in critical situations. The mask body is designed with the horse's head in mind, which not only improves comfort but also prevents damage (cracks or breakage) to the mask itself during impacts. Furthermore, the adjustable head strap with 8 Velcro fasteners ensures quick and easy donning and precise adjustment with one hand, significantly simplifying operation.

[0014] The device is used as follows. Mask body 1 is placed on the horse's muzzle. Using device 6, a preliminary adjustment is made to the animal's head length, after which the mask is secured with fasteners 8.

[0015] To prevent the suction of atmospheric air and to ensure the precise concentration of the breathing mixture, a device 7 is used, which tightens the edge of the body 1, tightly pressing the cushion of the sealing element 2 to the horse's muzzle, ensuring complete tightness of the working space of the mask.

[0016] A hypoxic or hyperoxic gas mixture from an external generator is delivered through the 3 inlet nozzles. The design allows for the use of two inlets simultaneously to increase the volume of the mixture delivered, or the use of one of the inlets for connecting a nebulizer or other drug delivery device, allowing for the combination of training and therapy.

[0017] The breathing process utilizes a valve system. Non-removable valves 4 ensure a normal inhalation-exhalation cycle. If it is necessary to quickly stop hypoxic exposure or to clean the mask interior, removable valves 5 can be removed, allowing for rapid forced ventilation of the mask with atmospheric air without the need to completely remove the device from the horse's head.

[0018] The developed inhalation masks were used in hypoxic-hyperoxic therapy of English Thoroughbred sport horses (geldings and mares) aged 6-12 years, weighing 500-600 kg (n=8).

[0019] All animals were in active training, clinically healthy, without signs of pathologies of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

[0020] The initial protocol for all animals consisted of four 10-minute cycles. Each cycle consisted of two equal phases: a 5-minute breathing cycle with a gas mixture with a reduced oxygen content (16%), followed by a 5-minute hyperoxic phase with an oxygen concentration of 33%. The total duration of the daily session was 40 minutes.

[0021] Based on the study conducted to evaluate the effects of interval hypoxic-hyperoxic therapy (IHT) on sport horses, the following conclusions were drawn:

[0022] 1. A pronounced adaptive restructuring of the cardiovascular system, characterized by increased efficiency, was revealed. A course of IHT resulted in a significant reduction in post-exercise heart rate (HR) by 37.5-62.5%, with stable resting values, indicating increased cardiac efficiency and the development of adaptive reserves without signs of cumulative fatigue.

[0023] 2. Enhanced blood oxygen transport. Horses in the experimental group demonstrated activation of erythropoiesis, with a 10% increase in red blood cell count and a 15% increase in hemoglobin levels by day 7 of the experiment. Optimization of red blood cell quality parameters (MCHC) and the wave-like dynamics of hematocrit indicate improved blood oxygen capacity and physiological regulation of its rheological properties. Biochemical monitoring revealed that IHT promotes deeper metabolic adaptation to exercise. This is manifested in the coordinated activation of several metabolic pathways: anaerobic energy production (increased LDH), muscle renewal processes (increased CPK, changes in AST), and protein anabolism (increased total protein and albumin). Maintaining a stable magnesium level under IHT is of particular importance, as it supports the optimal electrolyte balance necessary for high metabolic efficiency.

[0024] Thus, the use of the described device allows to increase the effectiveness of hypoxic-hyperoxic therapy while ensuring increased safety of using an inhalation mask.

Claims

An inhalation mask for horses for hypoxic-hyperoxic therapy, comprising an inhalation body made in the form of a shell with an open base and apex, and having upper and lower parts located, respectively, in the upper and lower regions of the animal's muzzle, wherein on the inner side of the base there is a sealing element, at the top of the body there is an inlet pipe communicated with a source of supply of a gas mixture for inhalation by means of a flexible hose, in the upper part of the body there are two non-removable outlet valves, and the body is provided with a device for fixing it on the head of the animal, characterized in that the sealing element is made in the form of a soft silicone closed tape, contacting with the muzzle of the animal and provided with a means for regulating the density of contact with the muzzle of the animal, the body is provided with an additional inlet pipe, as well as removable exhalation valves, wherein the internal cavity of the body installed on the muzzle of the animal,communicates with the environment through removable and non-removable valves, as well as with the source of gas mixture supply through inlet pipes, the device for fixing the body on the animal's head is made in the form of an adjustable occipital strap of a halter, equipped with Velcro fasteners, and the body is made of soft, impact-resistant polypropylene, resistant to the effects of detergents and disinfectants.

Images