Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Means placed in body opening to facilitate insertion of...
Patent
1995-01-10
1997-03-04
Lewis, Aaron J.
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Means placed in body opening to facilitate insertion of...
12820717, 128DIG26, A61M 1600
Patent
active
056069669
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a tracheostomy tube assembly, which includes a tracheostomy tube and a fitting which can be mounted on the end of the tube.
A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure which creates an opening through the anterior surface of the neck into the trachea. The opening is referred to as a tracheostoma. It is performed to by-pass an upper airway obstruction, or to enable the provision of long term respiratory support via connection to a ventilator, or for some other medical reason. In order to enable the patient to speak it is necessary to provide a means of directing the flow of exhaled air through the larynx. This can conveniently be achieved by the incorporation of a valve. A tracheostomy tube can be provided to extend between the tracheostoma and the trachea.
A nasal simulation device serves to simulate some of the functions of the nose, and optionally can include a speaking valve to assist in diverting the flow of exhaled air to permit speech.
In a subject whose breathing functions normally, the nose and the mucous membrane lining of the nasal cavity perform important functions in conditioning incoming air. The convoluted passages and rich blood supply serve to increase both the temperature and humidity of the incoming air to minimise the differential in these parameters with those of the surface of the lungs. Normally some heat and moisture is also captured from exhaled air prior to its release to the atmosphere. The mucous lining of the nasal passages also serves to remove particles in the inhaled airstream, and the action of the cilia transports mucous and any particles away from the lungs.
The exchange of heat and moisture and filtration are clearly beneficial to the patient, and in their absence clinical consequences such as increased incidence of chest infections, elevated levels of secretion production and encrustation are observed.
When a patient has received a tracheostomy, in effect all inhaled air enters the lungs via the tracheostoma, and the nose is effectively not involved in the inhalation process. Exhaled air may pass through the tracheostoma or, if a voice prosthesis has been fitted, the stoma can be occluded so that the exhaled air is diverted through the voice prosthesis into the pharynx and the mouth, enabling the patient to speak. It is desirable that the flow of the exhaled air be controlled by means of a tracheostoma valve. In these situations, the valve can be arranged to remain open during breathing but, with a small additional increase in exhaled air pressure, can be closed to divert the air flow.
The present invention provides a tracheostomy tube assembly which enables a fitting to be mounted to the end of a tracheostomy tube, with a seal between the fitting and the tube.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a tracheostomy tube assembly, which comprises: bore in which the end of the tracheostomy tube can be received; tracheostomy tube and the inner surface of the bore in the fitting; and tracheostomy tube to form a seal between the fitting and the tracheostomy tube.
The assembly of the invention has the advantage that a fitting can be mounted on the end of a tracheostomy tube, with a seal between the fitting and the tube. By urging the sealing member against the outer surface of the tracheostomy tube, the fitting can be retained on the tube, so that it is resistant to becoming detached from the tube, for example as a result of movement of the user of the assembly, such as during eating or coughing. The fitting can be retained on the tube without any requirement for formations on the tube, which has the advantage that the assembly can be used with standard tracheostomy tubes. Indeed, assemblies can be supplied for fitting to tracheostomy tubes from other sources, or to tubes which have already been fitted to patients. Furthermore, and significantly, the fitting can be arranged to be capable of being removed from the end of the tube quickly, by releasing the urging means. This might be important when, for example, it is desired to connect the tr
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Kapitex Healthcare Ltd.
Lewis Aaron J.
LandOfFree
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