Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Pipe – tube – or conduit cleaner
Patent
1989-03-06
1991-04-02
Roberts, Edward L.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Pipe, tube, or conduit cleaner
1510416, 1510418, 604158, B08B 902
Patent
active
050036572
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a device for preventing, by brushing, the blocking of intubation tubes in intubated patients and tracheotomy cannulas in tracheotomized patients.
Usually, in intubated or tracheotomized patients, the insertion of a tracheal aspiration tube permits aspiration of the patient's bronchial secretions and verification of the permeability of the intubation tube or of the tracheotomy cannula, but it does not prevent the gradual or sudden blocking of the tube or the cannula by organic deposits. The consequences of this blocking are numerous and sometimes serious, and they can put the patient's life at risk.
The device according to the invention enables this drawback to be remedied. It comprises two elements each having a distal end introduced into the intubation tube or the tracheotomy cannula and a proximal end manipulated by the operator.
The first element is a flexible, central rod the distal end of which is rounded so as to be non-traumatic. All around the rod near the distal end is inserted a collapsible system that is to enable the tube to be cleaned by brushing. The proximal portion of the rod ends in a projection enabling the rod to be firmly grasped.
The second element is a flexible tube in which the first element is inserted and in which it can slide. The tube is shorter than the rod itself. The outside diameter of the tube is similar for diameters of the different tubes or cannulas to permit ease of insertion. The overall length of the device depends on the length of the intubation tubes or tracheotomy cannulas. It is always substantially greater than that of the tube or the cannula. The collapsible system inserted on the rod is collapsed inside the tube. The distal end of the tube abuts against the rounded distal end of the rod.
The whole of the device is introduced into the intubation tube or the tracheotomy cannula by the distal end. A reference stop on the tube enables the device to be positioned in relation to the distal end of the intubation tube or the tracheotomy cannula.
The proximal end of the tube is treated to ensure that it can be securely gripped. By sliding the tube over the rod so as to block it against the projection of the rod serving as a handle, the user releases the system collapsed in the tube. He then withdraws the device and the released system brushes the intubation tube or the tracheotomy cannula.
According to a preferred form of embodiment, the collapsible system is constituted by bristles inserted all around the central rod. A small cylinder of foam is fixed to the distal end of the rod, between the bristles and the rounded portion, also collapsed inside the tube. Released at the same time as the bristles, it enables the debris dislodged by the bristles to be collected. This foam cylinder is optional.
According to an alternative embodiment, it is an inflatable balloon that is placed between the rounded distal end and the bristles on the rod. This balloon can be inflated by means of a syringe via a channel included in the rod.
According to another alternative embodiment, the collapsible system is constituted by strips of plastic inserted on the rod; again, it is possible to place a foam cylinder or an inflatable balloon between the rounded distal end and the strips.
The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent, moreover, from the following description given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross section of an embodiment of the device with tube/cannula cleaning means in a retracted configuration;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, with the tube/cannula cleaning means in a deployed position;
FIG. 3 is a view of the define in place in an intubated patient, with the tube/cannula cleaning means in the retracted configuration;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, with the tube/cannula cleaning means in a deployed configuration; and
FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 illustrating another embodiment in which an inflatable balloon is provided on the rod.
The dev
REFERENCES:
patent: 1858176 (1932-05-01), Webb
patent: 2118631 (1938-05-01), Wappler
patent: 2739585 (1956-03-01), Ayre
patent: 4006508 (1977-02-01), Brown
Boiteau Richard
Labayle Denis
Tenaillon Alain
Medipro
Roberts Edward L.
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