Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Respiratory gas supply means enters mouth or tracheotomy...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-14
2003-10-21
Lewis, Aaron J. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Respiratory gas supply means enters mouth or tracheotomy...
C128S202270
Reexamination Certificate
active
06634359
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a device for holding and stabilizing a tracheal tube in the mouth of a patient. More particularly, the invention is directed to a device having a clamping assembly for stabilizing a tracheal tube.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tracheal tubes are commonly used for ventilating a patient during resuscitation, administration of anesthesia, and other. emergency medical procedures The effective use of the tracheal tube requires that the tracheal tube be properly position in the trachea. The tracheal tube must be positioned at the correct level in the trachea to provide proper ventilation of the patient. Positioning the tracheal tube to an insufficient depth in the trachea can prevent a proper seal in the throat and increase the likelihood of the tracheal tube being pulled or dislodged from the throat. Extending the tracheal tube too far into the trachea can result in irritation and non-uniform ventilation.
A common practice of securing a tracheal tube in place is to simply tape the tube with a suitable adhesive tape. This method is uncomfortable to the patient and increases the difficulty of removing the tube. Recently, the use of tape to secure the tracheal tube has been discouraged and prohibited in many instances. To overcome the disadvantages of taping the tracheal tube in place, numerous devices have been proposed for stabilizing the tracheal tube. These devices typically have a head band encircling the patient's head or neck to secure the device in place.
One example of an endotracheal tube stabilizer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,516 to Beattie. This device includes a frame having a tube channel for receiving an endotracheal tube. Straps are provided for securing the frame to the head with the frame bridging the mouth. A movable clamp slides on an arcuate track for clamping the tube in the channel of the frame. The clamp has a foot moving in an arcuate path from an open position to an operative position blocking the opening of the channel. A ratchet is provided on the arcuate track of the clamp to secure the clamp in the locking position.
An example of a nasogastric tube holding device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,943 to Nowak. This device includes an adhesive pad and a pair of independent clamping jaws pivotally supported on one end of the pad. The jaws include an adjustable latching device for releasably holding the tube in place.
A number of other devices for holding a tracheal tube include a band or a pair of clamping jaws to clamp the tube in place. Examples of this type of device are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,076,269 to Austin, 5,069,206 to Crosbie, 5,295,480 to Zemo and 5,320,097 to Clemens et al.
Although generally effective for their intended purpose, the prior devices have experienced limited success in the marketplace. Accordingly, there is a continuing need in the industry for an improved endotracheal tube holding device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a device for holding a tracheal tube in the mouth of a patient. The invention is further directed to a device for clamping and stabilizing a tracheal tube and supporting the tracheal tube in a selected position in the patient's mouth.
Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having a clamping assembly capable of securely clamping and stabilizing a tracheal tube.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device that is simple to operate and able to securely clamp the tracheal tube in place.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device that is able to effectively stabilize and accommodate different sizes of tracheal tubes.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having a clamping assembly that can be operated with one hand.
A further object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having a clamping assembly and an adjustable headband for securing the device on the patient.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having a latching assembly with a movable jaw that is able to move in and out of engagement with the tracheal tube.
A further object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having a clamping assembly that is able to stabilize the tracheal tube without twisting or distorting the tracheal tube.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having a latching assembly with a ratcheting jaw to clamp the tracheal tube to the device.
A further object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having an opening for receiving a tracheal tube where the opening has a first recessed area for receiving a tracheal tube of a first size and a second recessed area for receiving a tracheal tube of a second size.
A further object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having a ratcheting jaw and a flexible arm with ratcheting teeth for engaging the jaw where the flexible arm can be flexed away from the jaw to release the ratcheting teeth and allow the jaw to open.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having a support with a first latching member at a first end of the support and a jaw pivotally connected to the support and having a second latching member for latching with the first latching member.
A further object of the invention is to provide a tracheal tube holding device having a support and a jaw coupled together by a living hinge, where the support and the jaw each include an adjustable latching assembly for latching the jaw in a selected position with respect to the support.
The objects of the invention are basically attained by providing a tracheal tube holding device for stabilizing a tracheal tube in the mouth of a patient. The device comprises a frame dimensioned to fit over a patient's mouth and having an opening extending transversely through the frame and being dimensioned to receive a tracheal tube. A jaw pivotally coupled to the frame is pivotable about a pivot axis on the frame between an open position to a clamping position to clamp a tube in the opening of the frame. A releasable latching assembly latches the jaw in the clamping position.
The objects of the invention are also attained by providing a tracheal tube holding device for stabilizing a tracheal tube in the mouth of a patient. The device comprises a support dimensioned to fit over a patient's mouth. The support has a first end, a second end, and first and second sides extending between the first and second ends. The first side has an open slot defining an opening extending transversely through the support for receiving a tracheal tube. A jaw is pivotally coupled to the support. The jaw has a side with a slot therein complementing the slot in the frame. The jaw is pivotable between an open position and a clamping position to clamp a tracheal tube in the slot in the frame and the slot in the jaw. A releasable latching assembly latches the jaw in the clamping position.
The objects of the invention are further attained by providing a tracheal tube holding device holding a tracheal tube in the mouth of patient, comprising a support dimensioned to fit over a patient's mouth. The support has a first end, a second end and an opening extending transversely through the support for receiving a tracheal tube. The opening is located between the first and second ends. A jaw is coupled to the support and is pivotable about a pivot axis. The jaw is pivotable between an open position and a clamping position. The jaw has a first end with a first latching member. A second latching member is coupled to the first end of the support and is positioned to engage the first latching member of the jaw for latching the jaw in the clamping position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2908269 (1959-10-01), Cheng
patent: 3760811 (1973-09-01), Andrew
patent: 4249529 (1981-02-01), Nestor et al.
patent: 4360025 (1982-11-01), E
Lee Freddy T.
Murphy Thomas
Rudy, Jr. Ronald M.
Insight Medical Design, Inc.
Lewis Aaron J.
Mitchell Teena
Roylance Abrams Berdo & Goodman L.L.P.
LandOfFree
Tracheal tube holding device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tracheal tube holding device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tracheal tube holding device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3164892