GB2429919A

GB2429919A - Adjustable trachoestomy tube

Info

Publication number: GB2429919A
Application number: GB0612795A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Bateman; Barnaby Townsend
Original assignee: Smiths Group PLC
Current assignee: Smiths Group PLC
Priority date: 2005-06-29
Filing date: 2006-06-28
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-28
Also published as: GB2429919B; GB0612795D0; GB0513322D0

Abstract

A tracheostomy tube 4 is made from multiple tubular segments 3 clipped mechanically together end to end by engaging neck 34 and collar 31 portions. One of the segments 3' includes a flange 40 by which the tube can be secured to the patient's neck. The tube has a sealing cuff 19 towards its patient end.

Description

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TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE ASSEMBLIES

This invention relates to tracheostomy tube assemblies.

Tracheostomy tubes have a curved or bent shaft shaped to extend through a surgically-made opening through the neck of a patient into the trachea. One end of the tube extends externally and usually has a flange to secure the tube with the patient's neck. The other end of the tube locates within the trachea and is directed caudally. The tube often has a cuff adjacent the patient end, which can be inflated to seal with the trachea so that flow of gas is confined along the tube. Morbidly obese patients may have increased neck mass and a significantly greater distance between the skin surface and the trachea than in average patients. This can make it very difficult to fit a conventional tracheostomy tube so that it is both comfortable and functions clinically in the best manner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative tracheostomy tube assembly.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a tracheostomy tube having a patient end adapted for location within the trachea and a machine end adapted to extend through a surgically made opening in the neck, the tube including a section towards the machine end formed by interconnection of at least two discrete components.

The section is preferably provided by a plurality of tubular segments clipped together end-to-end.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a tracheostomy tube having a patient end adapted for location within the trachea and a machine end adapted to extend through a surgically made opening in the neck, a part at least of the length of the tube being formed by a plurality of tubular segments connected end-to-end with one another.

The components or segments are preferably connected with one another mechanically. One of the segments preferably includes a flange by which the machine end of the tube can be secured with the patient's neck. Each segment may have a neck end of reduced diameter and a collar at its other end with an increased internal diameter. The neck of one segment extending within the collar of an adjacent segment. Each segment preferably has at least one spring finger with a projecting tooth arranged to engage in a recess formed in an adjacent segment. The segments may be each of the same length or some at least of the segments may have a different length from others of the segments. The tube may include a sealing cuff towards its patient end adapted to seal the tube with the inside of the trachea.

A tracheostomy tube according to the present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tube; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the rear end of the patient end section of the tube; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the forward end of a machine end segment; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the opposite end of a machine end segment; and Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the final machine end segment.

The tube is formed from two or more discrete components of a plastics material, such as PVC, mechanically interconnected with one another in the form of a patient end section 1 and one or more separate segments 3, 3' clipped together to provide a machine end section 4.

The patient end section 1 is shaped to fit within a patient's trachea and comprises a tubular shaft 10 of circular section having a straight forward end portion 11, a curved, intermediate portion 12 and a straight rear portion 13 extending at substantially 9 0 relative to the forward end portion. The rear end of the patient end section 1 is shown in Figure 2 and it can be seen that it is formed with an annular step 14 and a neck 15 reduced in diameter on its external surface. Two spring fingers 16 project rearwardly, longitudinally from the neck diametrically opposite one another. Each finger 16 has an outwardly-projecting tooth 17 at its free end, with an inclined surface 18. The fingers 16 are shaped to be a snap or click fit in the forward end of one of the machine end segments 3 in a manner that will be described later. The patient end section 1 also includes an inflatable sealing cuff 19 of cylindrical shape encompassing the shaft 10 adjacent the patient end 20. An inflation line 21 opens at one end into the interior of the cuff 19. The other end of the inflation line 21 is connected with a combined coupling and inflation indicator 22 by which air can be supplied to and from the sealing cuff 19 to inflate and deflate it as necessary.

Figure 1 shows the tube as having five machine end segments 3, 3' clipped together, end-to-end but it will be appreciated that any number of one or more segments could be used as necessary. Each segment 3 is a short tubular plastics moulding with a diameter substantially equal to its length. At its forward, patient end 30, the inside of the segment 3 is stepped internally to provide a collar 31 of increased internal diameter, as shown in Figure 3. Two rectangular slots 32 extend through the wall of the segment diametrically opposite one another close to its patient end 30. At its opposite, machine end 33, the segment 3 is stepped externally to form a short neck 34 of reduced external diameter as shown in Figure 4. Two spring fingers 35 project rearwardly, longitudinally from the neck 34 diametrically opposite one another. Each finger 35 has an outwardlyprojecting tooth 36 at its free end, with an inclined surface 37. The dimensions of the machine end 33 are such that the neck 34 extends as a close fit within the collar 31 of an adjacent segment 3 with the teeth 36 projecting into and engaging respective slots 32 at the patient end of the adjacent segment.

The formations at the rear, machine end of the patient end section 1 are the same as those at the rear end 33 of each machine end segment 3, which mechanically interconnect with the formations at the patient end 30 of the adjacent segment. The inclined surfaces 18 ride over the inside surface of the adjacent segment 3 deflecting the fingers 35 inwardly until the teeth 36 align with the openings 32, thereby allowing the teeth and fingers to snap outwardly into locking engagement. In this way, the machine end of the patient end section 1 is a click fit within the first of the machine end segments 3. This provides a mechanically secure

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interconnection with minimal gas leakage between the patient end section 1 and the first machine end segment 3 that cannot be released once connected, or can only be released by means of a special tool (not shown), so as to avoid any risk that the segments might separate during use. In the same fashion, the rear end of each machine end segment 3,3' is snap fitted into the forward end of an adjacent segment to form a machine end section 4 of the desired length.

The final, terminal machine end segment 3' (Figure 5) differs from the other segments 3 by having a neck flange 40 attached with it, by which the machine end of the tube can be secured with the patient's neck. This end segment 3' also has a plain, open rear end 41 and is externally tapered to receive a standard ventilation coupling.

The tube of the present invention can be easily assembled together to provide the most appropriate length for a particular patient. It avoids the need to cut tubes to size or to stock a wide range of different size tubes.

The machine end segments described above are all of the same length but it will be appreciated that sections of different lengths could be provided so as to reduce the number of segments required. There many ways in which the segments could be interconnected with one another instead of the arrangement described above. It is preferable that the segments be connected mechanically without any adhesive or solvent although the segments could be bonded together in some way if necessary. The parts of the tube are preferably moulded. The tube need not have a circular section but could, for example, have an oval section. It might be possible to incorporate the cufT inflation line into the wall of the tube itself by providing a

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lumen extending within the wall of each machine end segment arranged to interconnect with lumens in adjacent segments. The neck flange need not be fixed on one of the machine end segments but could instead be an adjustable flange that can be slid along the tube to the desired position and locked in place, such as by some form of clamping mechanism.

Claims

1. A tracheostomy tube having a patient end adapted for location within the trachea and a machine end adapted to extend through a surgically made opening in the neck, wherein the tube includes a section towards the machine end formed by interconnection of at least two discrete components.

2. A tracheostomy tube according to Claim 1, wherein the section is provided by a plurality of tubular segments clipped together end-to-end.

3. A tracheostomy tube having a patient end adapted for location within the trachea and a machine end adapted to extend through a surgically made opening in the neck, wherein a part at least of the length of the tube is formed by a plurality of tubular segments connected end-to-end with one another.

4. A tracheostomy tube according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the components or segments are connected with one another mechanically.

5. A tracheostomy tube according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein one of the segments includes a flange by which the machine end of the tube can be secured with the patient's neck.

6. A tracheostomy tube according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein each segment has a neck at one end with a reduced external diameter and a collar at its other end with an increased internal diameter, and wherein the neck of one segment extends within the collar of an adjacent segment.

7. A tracheostomy tube according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein each segment has at least one spring finger with a projecting tooth arranged to engage in a recess formed in an adjacent segment.

8. A tracheostomy tube according to any one of the Claims 2 to 7, wherein the segments are each of the same length.

9. A tracheostomy tube according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, wherein some at least of the segments have a different length from others of the segments.

10. A tracheostomy tube according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube includes a sealing cuff towards its patient end adapted to seal the tube with the inside of the trachea.

11. A tracheostomy tube substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features as hereinbefore described.