Patent Application
20240307643
The present subject matter relates to gauze placement apparatuses and related methods. In particular, the present subject matter relates to gauze placement apparatuses capable of gripping a piece of gauze and placing the piece of gauze on a patient around an opening on the patient in which medical equipment resides. For an example, the present subject matter relates to gauze placement apparatuses capable of gripping a piece of gauze and placing the piece of gauze on a patient around an opening of a tracheostomy on the patient and the tracheostomy equipment.
Tracheostomies are openings surgically created at the front of the neck in order for a tube to be inserted into the windpipe to help one breathe. A tracheostomy may be necessary when built up fluid cannot be cleared from one's airways because of preexisting symptoms like long-term pain, muscle weakness, or paralysis. If necessary, the tube can be connected to an oxygen supply and a breathing machine called a ventilator. When this is the case, the opening is covered by equipment and medical supplies such as gauze. It is imperative that the gauze is regularly swapped out with fresh gauze to keep the opening clean and sterile. However, placing gauze with the equipment in place can be difficult, especially considering the sensitive area of the patient's neck. One might also want to avoid having to touch the patient's skin completely for sanitary reasons.
As such, a need exists for a gentle and efficient way of placing gauze on a patient around tracheostomy equipment in a manner that is both clean and sterile and to provide apparatuses that can aid in accomplishing this task.
The present subject matter relates to gauze placement apparatuses for placing gauzes on a patient. In particular, the present subject matter relates to gauze placement apparatuses capable of gripping a piece of gauze and placing the piece of gauze on a patient around an opening on the patient in which medical equipment resides. For an example, the present subject matter relates to gauze placement apparatuses capable of gripping a piece of gauze and placing the piece of gauze on a patient around an opening of a tracheostomy on the patient and the tracheostomy equipment. Methods related to the use of the gauze placement apparatuses disclosed herein are also provided.
Thus, it is an object of the presently disclosed subject matter to provide gauze placement apparatuses for placing gauzes on a patient as well as methods related thereto. While one or more objects of the presently disclosed subject matter having been stated hereinabove, and which is achieved in whole or in part by the presently disclosed subject matter, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter including the best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill in the art is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the seam or analogous features or elements of the present subject matter.
Reference now will be made to the embodiments of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of an explanation of the present subject matter, not as a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present subject matter without departing from the scope or spirit of the present subject matter. For instance, features illustrated or described as one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present subject matter, which broader aspects are embodied in exemplary constructions.
Although the terms first, second, right, left, front, back, top, bottom, upper lower, vertical, horizontal, etc. may be used herein to describe various features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature, element, component, region, layer or section from another feature, element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first feature, element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second feature, element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure herein. Additionally, such terms as right, left, front, back, top, bottom, upper lower, vertical, horizontal, etc. are simply describing the relative position or movement of the features or elements to each other and do not necessarily mean an absolute position or movement since the relative position or movement depends upon the orientation of the device to the viewer and/or user.
Similarly, when a feature or element is being described in the present disclosure as “on” or “over” another feature or element, it is to be understood that the features or elements can either be directly contacting each other or have another feature or element between them, unless expressly stated to the contrary. As above, these terms are simply describing the relative position of the features or elements to each other and do not necessarily mean “on top of” since the relative position above or below depends upon the orientation of the device to the viewer.
Embodiments of the subject matter of the disclosure are described herein with reference to schematic illustrations of embodiments that may be idealized. As such, variations from the shapes and/or positions of features, elements, or components within the illustrations as a result of, for example but not limited to, user preferences, manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Shapes, sizes and/or positions of features, elements or components illustrated in the figures may also be magnified, minimized, exaggerated, shifted, or simplified to facilitate explanation of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, the features, elements or components illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes and/or positions are not intended to illustrate the precise configuration of the subject matter and are not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein unless it specifically stated otherwise herein.
It is to be understood that the ranges and limits mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed limits (i.e., subranges). For instance, a range from about 100 to about 200 also includes ranges from 110 to 150, 170 to 190, 153 to 162, and 145.3 to 149.6. Further, a limit of up to about 7 also includes a limit of up to about 5, up to 3, and up to about 4.5, as well as ranges within the limit, such as from about 1 to about 5, and from about 3.2 to about 6.5.
The present subject matter relates to is a gauze placement apparatus for medical treatment of tubular or other inserts that extend outward from a body of a patient. The present invention attempts to provide medical personnel with a more effective way to place gauze around the opening for an insert, for example, an opening of a tracheostomy, on a patient. The present invention attempts this with the various components involved.
Thus, the present disclosure relates to gauze placement apparatuses for placement of gauze on a patient around a portion of medical equipment that has been inserted into the patient. For example, the same or different embodiments of the gauze placement apparatuses can be used for placing gauze on a patient around equipment inserted into a body of patient, such as stoma equipment, tracheostomy equipment, colostomy bag equipment, I.V. equipment, or the like. For example, the gauze placement apparatus comprises a pair of handles and a pair of fork extensions connected to the respective handles. One handle is positioned above the other handle. The pair of fork extensions can be positioned so each forked extension is vertically in line with the other. Each forked extension can also include a fork portion and a pair of prongs extending from the fork portion. The pair of prongs on each forked extension can be horizontally in line with the other. The pair of handles can be described as a first handle and a second handle. Similarly, the pair of forked extensions can be considered a first forked extension and a second forked extension. The pair of handles and the pair of forked extensions can be pivotally connected such that the first handle can reside above the second handle and the first forked extension can reside above the second forked extension. As the pair of handles is squeezed together, the pivotal connection allows the pair of forked extensions to be squeezed together as well. As the pair of handles is separated, the pair of forked handles is separated as a result.
Such a gauze placement apparatus can make it easy to place a gauze such as a slit gauze on a patient around equipment that extends out of the body of the patient. The gauze placement apparatus can also increase the speed at which gauze placement and/or replacement on a patient around medical equipment on or partially inserted into the patient can occur. As used herein, the term “around” means being on at least a side of the medical equipment, but does not mean that the gauze needs to completely encircle the medical equipment. Using the gauze placement apparatus to place a gauze in such areas on a patient is much faster and easier that a medical professional doing it by hand. An example of the use of the gauze placement apparatus can be described with reference to the placement of a slit gauze on the neck of a patient with a tracheostomy. The user of the device can separate the pair of handles and thus separate the pair of forked extensions. A piece of slit gauze, which can be a folded gauze with a slit on a folded side of the folded gauze, can then be placed between the first forked extension and the second forked extension. Once in place with the slit of the slit gauze between the prongs of the forked extensions, the pair of handles can be squeezed in order to secure the gauze between the pair of forked extensions.
With the patient lying on the patient's back, the user of the device can move the device up past the collarbones of the patient to the location of the hole created for the tracheostomy. The prongs of the pair of forked extensions are configured to be wide enough apart for a slit gauze to be grasped and to permit insertion of the prongs and the slit gauze beneath any tracheostomy equipment, and around the any equipment insertion extending from the neck of the patient. Once the gauze is in the most effective spot, the user can release tension on the pair of handles, effectively releasing the grip of the pair of forked extensions on the gauze. The gauze can be secured in the necessary spot while the user retracts the gauze placement apparatus from any equipment it may have been beneath. The gauze placement apparatus can also be used to remove gauze in a similar fashion, just using steps opposite to the steps described above. In some embodiments, the gauze placement apparatus can comprise a metal. In some embodiments, the gauze placement apparatus can comprise a polymer, such as a plastic material, for instance, a thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, the gauze placement apparatus can comprise combination of one or more metals and/or one or more plastic materials. In some embodiments, the gauze placement apparatus can be manufactured using a polymer, such as a flexible plastic material, so that if the user accidentally pushes the device to hard against the patient, the device will bend rather than potentially harm the patient.
Referring to
For example, in some embodiments as shown in
The linking shafts 14A, 14B can be angled or curved relative to the handles 20A, 20B and the fork extensions 30A, 30B such the upper handle 20A resides above lower handle 20B and the upper fork extension 30B is above the lower fork extension 30A. This configuration of the linking shafts 14A, 14B and first blade member 12A and second blade member 12B can facilitate the opening and closing movement of the gauze placement apparatus 10. In particular, the angled or curved linking shafts 14A, 14B can ensure proper placement of the handles 20A, 20B and the fork extensions 30A, 30B relative to one another.
The handles 20A, 20B can each comprise an insert aperture 22A, 22B to permit the insertion of at least a portion of a hand such as one or more fingers or a thumb into the respective insertion aperture 22A, 22B to move the upper and lower fork extensions between the open position to the closed position. For example, the handles 20A, 30B can each comprise a hand insert 24A, 24B that permits insertion of multiple fingers in the hand insert 24A, 24B to increase versatility of the gauze placement apparatus 10. Each hand insert 24A, 24B can have finger placement ridges 26A, 26B to facilitate the grip of the user on the handles 20A, 20B. Further, in some embodiments, the handles 20A, 20B can be aligned in a first direction A1, herein referenced as a vertical direction, so that the handles 20A, 20B can be easily and ergonomically moved by either a right hand or a left hand of the user. For example, in some embodiments, the handles 20A, 20B and/or the linking shafts 14A, 14B can be configured so that a side perimeter wall 28A of handle 20A can abut a side perimeter wall 28B of handle 20B when the handles 20A, 20B and fork extensions 30A, 30B are in a closed position.
The upper and lower fork extensions 30B, 30A can each have similar features that can be aligned with each other as well. The lower fork extension 30A can comprise a lower fork portion 32A. The lower fork extension 30A can also comprise a first lower prong 34A and a second lower prong 36A that extend outward from the fork portion 32A away from the handles 20A, 20B. As shown in
Both the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A of the lower fork extension 30A and the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B of the upper fork extension 30B can be configured to hold gauzes and place the gauzes in a desired location on the patient. In particular, the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A and the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B can be configured to facilitate the placing split gauzes on a patient around medical equipment inserted in and extending from the body of the patient. To facilitate the placement of such split gauzes, the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A can be separated from each other at a distance D1 in the second direction A2 that permits the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A to be placed or inserted around a tube or other insert from medical equipment. Similarly, the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B can be separated from each other at a distance D2 in the second direction A2 that permits the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B to be placed or inserted around the tube or other insert from medical equipment. In some embodiments, the distance D1 between the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A can be similar to or the same as distance D2 between the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B. In some embodiments, the distance D1 can be measured between an inner surface IS1 of the first lower prong 34A and an inner surface IS2 of the second lower prong 36A and the distance D2 can be measured between an inner surface IS3 of the first lower prong 34B and an inner surface IS4 of the second lower prong 36B. The distances D1 and D2 can be dependent on the medical equipment with which the gauze placement device is intended to be used. For some intended uses, the embodiment of the gauze placement apparatus 10 can have smaller distances D1 and D2. For some intended uses, the embodiment of the gauze placement apparatus 10 can have larger distances D1 and D2. For example, an embodiment of the used for pediatric tracheostomies can have smaller dimensions including smaller distances D1 and D2 than an embodiment of gauze placement apparatus 10 used in conjunction with adult tracheostomies.
In some embodiments, the distance D1 and the distance D2 are equal. For example, in some embodiments, the distances D1 and D2 can be between about 1.25 inches and about 4 inches. In some embodiments, the distances D1 and D2 can be between about 1.50 inches and about 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the distances D1 and D2 can be between about 1.50 inches and about 2 inches.
The manner in which the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A and the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B are configured, including the distances D1 and D2, can facilitate the holding and placement of a gauze. For example, when applying a gauze on a patient around a tube or an insert of medical equipment that is inserted into the body of a patient, a split gauze can be placed on either the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A of the lower fork extension 30A or the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B of the upper fork extension 30B or on both sets of prongs 34A, 36A and 34B, 36B. For example, the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A of the lower fork extension 30A The first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A of the lower fork extension 30A can thus be configured to receive a first slit gauze G1, i.e., a folded gauze with a slit S on a folded side of the folded gauze as shown in
Similarly, the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B of the upper fork extension 30B can be configured to receive a second slit gauze G2, i.e., a folded gauze with a slit S on a folded side of the folded gauze as shown in
The first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A and the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B can be configured in different ways. In some embodiments, the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A and the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B can be the same width from the fork portions 32A, 32B to the respective blunt ends 34A1, 34B1, 36A1, 36B1. In some embodiments as shown, the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B of the upper fork extension 30B each can comprise a shank 37B and an insertion tip 38B. Similarly, the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A of the lower fork extension 30A each can comprise shank 37A and an insertion tip 38A. For embodiments that include shanks 37A, 37B and insertion tips 38A, 38B, the shanks 37A, 37B and the insertion tips 38A, 38B can comprise different shapes, sizes, and lengths. In some embodiments, the insertion tips 38A, 38B can be longer than the shanks 37A, 37B. In some embodiments, the shanks 37A, 37B can be longer than the insertion tips 38A, 38B. In some embodiments, the insertion tips 38A, 38B can be 1.7 inches or more in length. In some embodiments, the insertion tips 38A, 38B can be between about 2 inches and about 4 inches in length. In some embodiments, the insertion tips 38A, 38B can be about the same length as a folded gauze as measured from the fold in the gauze to the ends of the gauze. In some embodiments, the insertion tips 38A, 38B can be about 4 inches in length. In some embodiments, the insertion tips 38A, 38B can have apertures 38A1, 38B1 therein as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In addition to the curvature of the prongs 34A, 36A, 34B, 36B of the upper and lower fork extensions 30B, 30A of the gauze placement apparatus 10, the prongs 34A, 36A, 34B, 36B can each have a curved length that also helps to facilitate placement of gauzes between medical equipment and the patient P and around a portion of the medical equipment that is inserted into the patient P. For example, in some embodiments, the outer radii of curvature ROL of first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A and lengths of the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B of the upper fork extensions 30B and the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A of the lower fork extensions 30A are such that the blunt ends 34A1, 36A1 of the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A and the blunt ends 34B1, 36B1 of the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B can be inserted under portions of a tracheostomy equipment T and a slit gauze G1, G2 on the upper prongs placed around a tube T1 of the tracheostomy equipment T with the base SB of a slit S of the slit gauze G1, G2 against the tube T1 without the fork portion 32A of the lower fork extension or the lower handle 20B abutting the body B, i.e., the chest, of the patient P. In particular, the outer radii of curvature ROL of first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A and lengths of the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B and the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A create a vertical displacement in the first direction A1 of the blunt ends 34A1, 36A1 of the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A and the blunt ends 34B1, 36B1 of the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B from a base 32AB of the lower fork portion 32A of the lower fork extensions 30A that can facilitate insertion of gauze between medical equipment and the patient P and around a portion of the medical equipment that is inserted into the patient P. For example, the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A can curve upward from the fork portion 32A of the lower fork extension 30A such that a vertical distance V1 as measured from a plane BP that extends from an outer surface of a base 32AB of the fork portion 32A of the lower fork extension 30A to the blunt ends 34A1, 36A1 of first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A that can facilitate insertion of one or more gauzes by the gauze placement apparatus 10 between medical equipment and the patient P and around a portion of the medical equipment that is inserted into the patient P. In some embodiments, the vertical distance V1 can be 1.5 inches or more. In some embodiments, the vertical distance V1 can be 1.7 inches or more. In some embodiments, the vertical distance V1 can be 1.9 inches or more. In some embodiments, the vertical distance V1 can be 1.5 inches or more can be about 2 inches or more. In some embodiments, the vertical distance V1 can be between about 1.5 inches and about 4 inches. In some embodiments, the vertical distance V1 can be between about 2 inches and about 4 inches.
As stated above, different embodiments of the gauze placement apparatus 10 having assorted sizes and configurations of the prongs 34A, 36A, 34B, 36B can be used with different medical equipment, such as medical equipment used for stomas, colostomy bags, tracheostomy, or the like. Additionally, the gauze placement apparatus 10 can have different sizes depending on the size and type of patient. For example, an embodiment of the gauze placement apparatus 10 for a pediatric tracheostomy can be a smaller size from an embodiment of the gauze placement apparatus 10 for an adult tracheostomy. Referring to
As shown in
If a second gauze is desired, a second slit gauze G2 can be on the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B of the upper fork extension 30B with a slit S2 on a folded side FS2 of the second slit gauze G2 residing between the first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B when the upper and lower fork extensions are in the open position as shown in
Once the one or more gauzes are hold in a proper position by the gauze placement apparatus 10, the first slit gauze G1 (and/or the second split gauze G2 if used) can be positioned on a patient P around tracheostomy equipment T using the gauze placement apparatus 10. For example, the shape of the first and second lower prongs 34A, 36A and first and second upper prongs 34B, 36B can facilitate insertion of the first slit gauze G1 (and/or the second split gauze G2 if used) between a portion of the tracheostomy equipment T and the patient P. As shown in
The user can position the first slit gauze G1 in place using the gauze placement apparatus 10 as shown in
Referring to
These and other modifications and variations to the present subject matter may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter, which is more particularly set forth herein above and any appending claims. In addition, it should be understood the aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged either in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the present subject matter.
The present patent application claims the benefit of PCT International Patent Application Serial. No. PCT/US2022/042062, filed Aug. 30, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/238,480, filed Aug. 30, 2021, to which PCT International Patent Application Serial. No. PCT/US2022/042062 claims priority and benefit. The disclosures of both patent applications referenced above are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/042062 | 8/30/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63238480 | Aug 2021 | US |
