GB2155338A - Improvements in or relating to an airway assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An airway assembly suitable for use as a nasal airway and during a tracheotomy includes a tubular housing (2) and an airway tube (26) which, in a storage position, is received at least partially within the tubular housing (2) and, in a second position, projects outwardly therefrom. The airway tube (26) may have one or more auxiliary openings (50) disposed between the ends thereof. A first closure (4) may close the end of the tubular housing to which the airway tube may be secured and a second closure (8) may close the other end. Tracheotomy blade means (10) may be associated with the second closure (8). The assembly may also incorporate writing equipment such as a ball point pen. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to an airway assembly This invention relates generally to airway assemblies and, in particular, to airways for use as nasal airways or in tracheotomy operations.

It has been known during surgical procedures for anaesthetists to place an airway into the mouth of a patient. The airway, which generally consists of a curved, plastics tube serves to keep the patient's mouth open and permits ready insertion of tubes for administering anaesthetics, withdrawing mucus by suction, as well as other purposes. It is also known to employ airways which are inserted into a patient's mouth in order to initiate emergency resuscitation procedures. U.S. Patents Nos. 3, 021, 836 and 3, 297,027 show two examples of tubes which are introduced into a patient's mouth for resuscitation purposes. U.S. Patent No. 3, 068,590 discloses a resuscitation training device.

U.S. Patent No. 3, 508,543 discloses a resuscitation tube that is adapted to be introduced into a patient's mouth and has auxiliary tubes that are adapted to be introduced into the patient's nostrils.

In most medical emergencies where resuscitation is needed, time is of the essence and, with the exception of hospitals and certain clinics and doctors' offices, airways are not generally readily available at the site of the emergency need. As a result of the size, cost and single-purpose nature of known airways, there remains a very real and substantial need for an airway of such design and construction as to be effective in use and to be likely to be readily available at the scene of an emergency.

The present invention provides an airway assembly comprising a tubular housing, an airway tube adapted to be at least partially received within said tubular housing in a first storage position, and being securable to said housing in a second position with a greater portion of said airway tube projecting outwardly from said tubular housing than when in said first position, and closure means securable to said tubular housing.

In addition, the assembly may be provided with means to enable it to function as a writing implement. The airway may incorporate a cutting blade so that the airway may be of special use when performing an emergency tracheotomy. As the airway assembly of the invention is preferably relatively small, such as the size of a conventional fountain or ballpoint pen, for example, and it is adapted, in one embodiment, to function as a writing implement, this additional function enhances the likelihood that an individual will carry the instrument on his or her person.

Thus, the preferred embodiment of the present invention aims to meet the above-mentioned need by providing a multipurpose airway assembly which is, as a result of its size and multiple uses, more likely to be carried about by doctors and other medically or paramedically trained individuals thereby enhancing the likelihood that the assembly will be available where and when it is needed.

Embodiments of the invention have been found to provide an airway assembly which is compact, economical to manufacture and easy to use.

The airway assembly provides, in a preferred embodiment, a nasal airway that is also suitable for insertion directly into the tracheotomy during an emergency tracheotomy operation.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments of an airway of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a nasal airway assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front elevational view of a portion of the airway assembly of Figure 1 which is adapted to function as a tracheotomy blade; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the tracheotomy blade of Figure 2 with the blade protective covering not illustrated; Figure 4 is a cross sectional illustration of a portion of the blade assembly taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the nasal airway assembly of Figure 1 with closure portions removed;; Figure 6 is a cross sectional illustration of a nasal airway assembly of the invention showing the airway tube in a storage position; Figure 7 is a cross sectional illustration of a nasal airway assembly of the invention showing the airway tube in a position for use; and Figure 8 is a cross sectional illustration of a portion of a nasal airway assembly of the invention.

As used herein, in the absence of an express indication to the contrary, the term "patient" shall refer to members of the animal kingdom, including human beings.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a miniaturized nasal airway assembly of the present invention which may conveniently have the dimensions of a commercially available fountain or ballpoint pen. It may, for example, have a length of about 4 to 6 inches (100 to 150mm) and a width of about 1/2 to 7/8 inch (13 to 22mm). In the form shown, the nasal airway assembly comprises a tubular housing 2 having a closure 4, that is conveniently provided with a clip 6 so as to secure the same to a pocket, and a lower closure 8.

As best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the assembly includes a blade member 10 that is suitable for use when performing an emergency tracheotomy operation. The blade member 10 is provided on the closure 8. In the event that the apparatus of the present invention is needed for use when performing an emergency tracheotomy operation, the closure 8, which is preferably threadedly secured to the tubular housing 2, is removed. As shown in Figure 2 the removed closure 8 presents an underlying serrated extension 9 that may serve as the handle portion to be held when using the project ing blade member 10. The blade member 10 may, advantageously, be composed of stainless steel, or a suitable plastics or other non-corrosive material.

In the form shown in Figure 2, a protective material 12 such as a plastics film is positioned over the blade 10 in order to maintain blade cleanliness, to prevent inadvertent cutting by the blade and, in the event of use of a corrosive-susciptible material in the blade, to resist corrosion. The film or cover 12 is adapted to be easily stripped from the blade member 10 before use of the blade.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it is noted that in order to reinforce the connection between the blade member 10 and the closure 8, a pedestal 14 which surrounds and supports the lower portion of the blade is provided.

While in one preferred embodiment of the invention the blade member 10 is presecured to the closure 8, the blade may be provided separately in a compartment in the housing with or without provision for subsequent attachment of the blade to closure 8, if desired.

As shown in Figure 4, at least a portion of the external surface of the closure 8, is provided with screwthreading 16 to cooperate with internal screw threads 20 on a lower portion of housing 2 to permit threaded engagement between closure 8 and tubular housing 2.

As best seen in Figure 6, the housing 2 is provided with an outwardly projecting annular rib 30 over which the closure 4 is adapted to be engaged in a snap-fit arrangement. In general, the interior surface of the closure 4, generally toward the lower extremity thereof, would have an inwardly projecting annular rib which would permit the desired snap-fit securement. Any other suitable means for connection of the closure 4 with the housing 2 may be used.

Figures 5 and 6 show the nasal airway assembly with both closures 4 and 8 removed. As will be noted at the lower end of housing 2, internal threads 20 are provided to cooperate with the external thread 16 of closure 8.

Referring to the upper portions of Figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that the airway assembly incorporates a writing implement, which includes a supply of material to be deposited during writing and means for permitting contact between the material and a writing surface. In the form shown the writing implement is a pen having a cone 22 terminating in a pen point 24 through which ink stored in a reservoir 32 (Figure 6) may be discharged. The lower portion of the cone 22 has external threads which so cooperate with internal threads (not shown) of the end of an airway tube 26 as to permit threaded interengagement therebetween. The airway tube 26 has external threads 28 which cooperate with internal threads 40 within the upper portion of housing 2 to permit securement of the airway tube 26 within the housing in a storage position.

As is shown towards the upper portion of Figure 6, the ink reservoir 32 is operatively associated with pen cone 22 and external threads 34 on pen cone 22 cooperate with internal threads 36 on the nasal airway tube 26. It is also noted that the external threads 28 on airway tube 26 cooperate with internal threads 40 to secure the airway tube 26 to the housing 2.

In the arrangement of the assembly shown in Figure 6, the airway tube 26 is in a storage position with a major portion of the airway tube 26 being disposed within the tubular housing 2. In this position a lower end opening 44 of the airway tube is disposed closer to a lower end 46 of the housing 2 than is the upper end 48 of the tube 26. The pen reservoir 32 is received within tube 26. While not shown in this view, the blade 10 may be received within the opening or bore of tube 26, or may be positioned beside the tube 26. Alternatively the relative lengths of tube 26 and blade 10 may be such as to create axial spacing along the housing interior therebetween.

In a preferred form, the airway tube 26 is composed of a resilient material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, for example, latex or a plastics material. Also, it is preferred that the outer surface of the airway tube 26 either be composed of a somewhat resilient material or that at least a portion of said tube adjacent tube end 44 be covered by a water soluble lubricant such as, for example, lanolin or products sold under the trade designation "Acid mantle" (buffered aluminium acetate) or the trade designation "Aqua-phor". This serves to facilitate insertion of the tube into the nasal passageway of the patient.

Referring again to Figure 6 an auxiliary opening 50 is provided in the tube 26 at a location in relatively close proximity to the tube end 44. In the event that blockage of the end 44 occurs, for example due to the presence of mucus or other means, functioning of the airway can continue through the opening 50. Preferably, the closest portion of the opening 50 is spaced about 1/2 to 1 inch (13 to 26mm) from the end 44. It will be appreciated that a plurality of such openings 50 may be provided, if desired.

Figure 7 shows the airway tube 26 in an alternative position, in which it would be assembled for use, with the tube 26 projecting outwardly from and being threadedly secured to the housing 2. In this position, the end 44 of the nasal airway tube 26 may be inserted into a patient's nostril whilst the end 46 of tubular housing 2 is inserted into the mouth of the individual applying resuscitative procedures.

While the tube 26 may be formed as an integral unit, Figure 8 shows a portion of a preferred construction of the tube 26 in which the tube is formed in separate portions. As shown, an upper sleeve portion 27 terminates in an inwardly offset downwardly projecting flange 29. The lower portion of the tube 26 is secured, as by self-bonding or adhesive means, to the radially outer portion of flange 29. This permits the use of different materials for the two portions of tube 26 without engaging in complex moulding procedures.

It will be appreciated that while the principal objective of the present invention is to provide readily available, miniaturized, resuscitation equipment and this may be accomplished without providing a tracheotomy blade and a writing instrument such as a pen, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the presence of the tracheotomy blade may be advantageous in respect of numerous emergencies and the pen will not only provide a further function for the apparatus, but also greatly enhance the likelihood that the doctor or medically trained individual will have the instrument in his or her possession when an emergency occurs.

Assuming that the tracheotomy blade and writing implement are part of the particular embodiment of the invention being carried by a doctor or medically trained individual, the procedure for using the airway will now be described. First of all, should a tracheotomy be required, the closure 8 is removed, by unthreading the same from tubular housing 2. The protective covering material 12 is then removed from the blade member 10 thereby exposing the blade and permitting the closure 8 to function as a handle for using the blade. Assuming that the airway is to be employed, the pen cone 22 and associated ink reservoir 32 is unthreaded from the airway tube 26 and the airway tube 26 is unthreaded from the tubular housing 2.Subsequently, the airway tube 26 is removed from the housing 2, is reversed and then threadedly connected to the housing at either thread 36 as shown in Figure 7, or, alternatively, at thread 20, thereby permitting insertion of the airway tube 26 into the patient's trachea (or if a tracheotomy has not been performed), into the nostril and hence permitting the administration of air or other material through the end 46 of housing 2. The sequence in which these two unthreading operations is accomplished is not critical. If desired, the airway tube 26 could be removed from housing 2 first and subsequently the pen cone 22 removed from tube 26.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the present invention provides an economical and effective means for providing emergency medical treatment when resuscitation is needed by way of airway, or where a tracheotomy needs to be performed. All of this is accomplished in the preferred embodiment while permitting the apparatus to function as a writing implement thereby providing another dimension of utility and enhancing the likelihood that the instrument will be present during an emergency need.

Claims (21)

1. An airway assembly comprising a tubular housing, an airway tube adapted to be at least partially received within said tubular housing in a first storage position, and being securable to said housing in a second position with a greater portion of said airway tube projecting outwardly from tubular housing than when in said first position, and closure means securable to said tubular housing.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said airway tube has a first end insertable into a patient's nostril, said first end being disposed within said tubular housing when said airway tube is in said first storage position and being disposed exteriorly of said tubular housing when said airway tube is in said second position.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising writing means having a supply of material to be deposited during writing and means for permitting contact between said material and a writing surface.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein said writing means comprises pen means having an ink reservoir operatively associated with a discharge point.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said pen means reservoir is adapted to extend into said airway tube when said airway tube is in said first storage position.

6. An assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said writing means is threadedly secured to said airway tube means.

7. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said airway tube is threadedly securable to said housing in both of said first and second positions.

8. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said airway tube has at least one auxiliary opening spaced from said first end of said airway tube.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein said auxiliary opening is disposed closer to said first end of said airway tube than to the other end of said airway tube.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein said auxiliary opening is disposed about 1/2 to 1 inch (13 to 26mm) from said first end of said airway tube.

11. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said airway tube is composed of a resilient material.

12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein said airway tube is composed of rubber or a plastics material.

13. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein lubricant means is disposed on at least a portion of the exterior of said airway tube.

14. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said closure means comprises a first closure secured to the end of said tubular housing to which said airway tube is secured and a second closure secured to the other end of said housing.

15. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising tracheotomy blade means.

16. An assembly according to claim 15, when dependent on claim 14, wherein said tracheotomy blade means is disposed within said tubular housing and is operatively associated with said second closure.

17. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein said tracheotomy blade means is secured to said second closure, whereby removal of said second closure will permit exposure of said tracheotomy blade and use of said second closure as a handle for said blade means.

18. An assembly according to claim 14 or to any claim dependent thereon, wherein said second closure is threadedly securable to said tubular housing.

19. An assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising removable protective means secured to said tracheotomy blade means.

20. An airway assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

21. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.