Patent Application
20210038844
The invention relates to devices/systems/methods of delivering medicaments to a patient.
In the prior art there are laryngeal mask airway devices that include a mask-portion that fits around the laryngeal inlet of a patient. Such laryngeal-mask airway devices provide an airway through which the patient may receive breathing gas, and through which the patient may exhale gas. Some of those prior art devices have been arranged to provide mechanisms for also delivering a medicament (such as a surfactant) to the patient. PCT/US2017/016087 describes one such device.
The invention may be embodied as a medicament delivery device (“MDD”) that has a laryngeal mask and a delivery tube. The mask may be configured to fit snugly against a patient and cover a laryngeal inlet of the patient. In an embodiment of the invention, the laryngeal mask may not be inflatable. The laryngeal mask may have a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale. The laryngeal mask may have an anterior patient-contacting surface that, when installed in the patient, contacts the patient in an area near the patient's laryngeal inlet and at least partially surrounds the laryngeal inlet.
The laryngeal mask may have a medicament-diversion ridge (some might prefer to call this an esophageal sealing tab) that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that may be distal from the delivery tube. Such a diversion ridge may be curved. More than one such diversion ridge may be included. In use, when medicament exits the delivery tube and travels through the mask toward the patient's laryngeal inlet, some of the medicament may reach the medicament-diversion ridge. For such medicament, the medicament-diversion ridge serves to change the flow-direction of that medicament so that the medicament travels to the laryngeal inlet or in a direction that may be toward the patient's laryngeal inlet, rather than down the patient's esophagus.
The laryngeal mask may have an epiglottis-holding ridge (some might prefer to call this an epiglottis retention tab) that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that may be proximal to the delivery tube. In use, the laryngeal mask is inserted in the patient, and once the epiglottis-holding ridge slides beyond the epiglottis, the laryngeal mask is pulled back slightly to pull the epiglottis back and into the epiglottis-holding pocket. In this manner, the epiglottis-holding ridge may catch the patient's epiglottis, and push the patient's epiglottis to a desired position in order to facilitate delivery of medicament toward the patient's lungs via the laryngeal mask. By subtending a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface, an epiglottis-holding pocket (some might prefer to call this an epiglottis retention pocket) may be formed in part by a surface of the epiglottis-holding ridge, and the epiglottis-holding pocket may extend from that ridge toward the subtended portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface. When in use, the patient's epiglottis may reside in the epiglottis-holding pocket.
Such an epiglottis-holding ridge may be curved. More than one such epiglottis-holding ridge may be included. In use, the epiglottis-holding ridge may push and/or hold the epiglottis away from the patient's laryngeal inlet.
The epiglottis-holding ridge may be positioned near to the distal end of the delivery tube. For example, a plane that is (a) substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube and which (b) contains at least a portion of the distal end of the delivery tube, may also (c) contain a portion to the epiglottis-holding ridge.
The epiglottis-holding pocket may be positioned near to the distal end of the delivery tube. For example, a plane that is (a) substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube and which (b) contains at least a portion of the distal end of the delivery tube may also (c) contain a portion to the epiglottis-holding pocket.
On a posterior-side of the mask, which may face away and/or may be on a side opposite from the anterior patient-contacting surface, there may be a plurality of ridges, which may be substantially parallel to each other. The plurality of ridges may be flexible. These ridges may be flexible under the forces expected to be exerted by the patient's pharynx when the mask resides in the patient. In some embodiments of the invention, the posterior ridges (some might prefer to call these compression ribs) may have an aspect ratio (height:width) in a range from 0.53:1 to 22.38:1 including every increment (e.g. every 0.01 increment) therebetween of the height and/or width of the ratio. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the ridges may have an aspect ratio of from 1.07:1 to 11.19:1, including every increment (e.g. every 0.01 increment) of the height and/or width therebetween.
In some embodiments of the invention, some of the posterior ridges may have a height that is nearly zero. However, in some embodiments of the invention, some of the posterior ridges may have a height that is 0.291 inches. The height of the posterior ridges of a particular embodiment need not be uniform, and it is expected that ridges in the center of the mask will likely have a maximum height that is larger than the heights of those positioned near edges of the mask. Furthermore, the height of a particular ridge need not be uniform, but instead may vary along the length of the ridge, and this may be particularly true when it is desired to avoid abrupt transitions on the patient-facing surfaces of the posterior ridges.
In some embodiments of the invention, some of the posterior ridges may have a width that is quite narrow (e.g. 0.034 inches). In some embodiments of the invention, some of the posterior ridges may have a width that is relatively wide (e.g. 0.268 inches). For a particular ridge, it is expected that the width will not be uniform, and it is likely that the width of a ridge will be larger near the base of that ridge than is the width of that ridge near its tip.
When the posterior-side ridges are substantially parallel, the plurality of substantially parallel ridges may be oriented in a direction that may be substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube extends.
The delivery tube may have interior wall surfaces defining:
The delivery tube may be curved lengthwise. In such an embodiment of the invention, a face region of the laryngeal mask, which when positioned in a patient faces toward the patient's laryngeal inlet and the tissue immediately adjacent to that laryngeal inlet, may face substantially in a direction of a radius of curvature that defines the lengthwise curve.
An MDD that is in keeping with the invention may have a supply hub having an interior wall surface defining a channel (the “Hub Medicament Channel”) that facilitates movement of medicament to the delivery tube. A medicament tube may reside in the Hub Medicament Channel, and such a tube may convey medicament to the delivery tube. Such a medicament tube may be metal, such as stainless steel. The medicament tube may be straight or curved. When curved, the medicament tube may have a bend that may be 90° or may be a bend of approximately 90°. The Hub Medicament Channel may be:
Such a supply hub may have an interior wall surface defining a gas channel (the “Hub Gas Channel”). The Hub Gas Channel may be configured to facilitate gas-communication with a source of breathing gas. The Hub Gas Channel may be configured to facilitate conveying breathing gas:
A supply hub that is in keeping with the invention may have interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “Hub Gas Channels”). Each of the Hub Gas Channels may be:
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with a source of breathing gas; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the DT Gas Channel.
In an embodiment of the invention having two Hub Gas Channels, each Hub Gas Channel may be configured to facilitate conveying breathing gas:
(a) toward the DT Gas Channel(s); and
(b) away from the DT Gas Channel(s).
The Hub Medicament Channel need not have a circular shape. In some embodiments of the invention, it may be advantageous for the Hub Medicament Channel to be oblong, at least in part.
In some embodiments of the invention, the supply hub may further comprise a saddle-surface that contacts the medicament tube.
In some embodiments of the invention, the supply hub may further comprise a flange. Such a flange may be used by a health care professional to apply force needed to guide and install the MDD in a patient, and/or guide and remove the MDD from the patient.
Some embodiments of the invention may have a direction-changing body having a surface positioned to receive medicament that has traversed the medicament channel of the delivery tube, and is shaped to direct the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet. For example, such a direction-changing body may receive medicament that has traveled through the delivery tube, and then change the direction of the medicament flow so that when the medicament leaves the direction-changing body, most (if not all) of the medicament travels away from the mask (in order to avoid contacting the mask), and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet. Such a direction-changing body may have an extension that is connected to a distal portion of the mask. The extension may serve to support the extension in a desired position relative to the mask. The direction-changing body may be structured, shaped, and positioned in order to serve to inhibit flexing of the mask in a lengthwise direction, and thereby facilitate inserting the mask into a patient.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the MDD may have a laryngeal mask, a delivery tube, and a connector extending between the laryngeal mask and the delivery tube. The laryngeal mask may have an anterior patient-contacting surface that, when the MDD is installed in the patient, contacts the patient in an area near the patient's laryngeal inlet and at least partially surrounds the laryngeal inlet. Such an anterior patient-contacting surface may fit snugly against the patient and cover a laryngeal inlet of the patient. The connector may have interior wall surfaces defining a medicament channel (the “Connector Medicament Channel”) that may be configured to facilitate delivering medicament to the laryngeal mask. A medicament tube may reside in the Connector Medicament Channel. The medicament tube may be made of metal, such as stainless steel.
In such an MDD, the connector may include interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “Connector Gas Channels”). Each of the Connector Gas Channels may be:
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the delivery tube; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the laryngeal mask.
The Connector Gas Channels may be further configured to facilitate conveying gas:
(a) from the delivery tube toward the laryngeal mask; and
(b) from the laryngeal mask toward the delivery tube.
In such an MDD, the Connector Medicament Channel may be disposed between at least two of the Connector Gas Channels.
The delivery tube of such an MDD may have interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “DT Gas Channels”). Each of the DT Gas Channels may be configured to facilitate gas-communication with the Connector Gas Channels. For example, the DT Gas Channels may be configured to facilitate conveying gas toward and away from the Connector Gas Channels. And, even more specifically:
(a) a portion of the connector may reside inside the delivery tube;
(b) a portion of the delivery tube may reside inside the connector;
(c) a portion of the connector may reside inside the laryngeal mask; and/or
(d) a portion of the laryngeal mask may reside inside the connector.
Such an MDD may include a supply hub having interior wall surfaces defining a medicament channel (the “Hub Medicament Channel”). The Hub Medicament Channel may be:
Such a supply hub may have interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “Hub Gas Channels”). Each of the Hub Gas Channels may be configured to facilitate gas-communication with the delivery tube. Each of the Hub Gas Channels be disposed be configured to facilitate conveying gas:
(a) toward the delivery tube; and
(b) away from the delivery tube.
The delivery tube of such an MDD may have interior wall surfaces defining a medicament channel (the “DT Medicament Channel”). The DT Medicament Channel may be configured to facilitate medicament-communication with the Hub Medicament Channel. The DT Medicament Channel may be configured to facilitate conveying medicament from the supply hub toward the laryngeal mask.
In some embodiments of such an MDD, the laryngeal mask may not be inflatable. An anterior patient-contacting surface of the laryngeal mask may have a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale. In particular, that portion of the laryngeal mask that touches, when positioned in a patient, the tissue immediately adjacent to that laryngeal inlet in order to form a seal around the laryngeal inlet may have a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-Scale.
The laryngeal mask of such an MDD may have an anterior patient-contacting surface. When the MDD is installed in a patient, the anterior patient-contacting surface contacts the patient near the laryngeal inlet and surrounds (at least partially) the laryngeal inlet. Furthermore, such a laryngeal mask may have a medicament-diversion ridge that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that may be distal from the delivery tube. Such a diversion ridge may be curved. More than one such diversion ridge may be included. In use, when medicament exits the delivery tube and travels through the mask toward the patient's laryngeal inlet, some of the medicament may reach the medicament-diversion ridge. In that case, the medicament-diversion ridge serves to change the flow-direction of that medicament so that the medicament travels to the laryngeal inlet or in a direction that may be toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
The laryngeal mask may have an epiglottis-holding ridge that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that may be proximal to the delivery tube. By subtending a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface, an epiglottis-holding pocket may be formed in part by a surface of the epiglottis-holding ridge, and the epiglottis-holding pocket may extend from that ridge toward the subtended portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface. When in use, the patient's epiglottis may reside in the epiglottis-holding pocket.
Such an epiglottis-holding ridge may be curved. More than one such epiglottis-holding ridge may be included. In use, the epiglottis-holding ridge may push the epiglottis away from the patient's laryngeal inlet. One manner of achieving this involves inserting the laryngeal mask in the patient, and once the epiglottis-holding ridge slides beyond the epiglottis, the laryngeal mask is pulled back slightly to pull the epiglottis back and away from the laryngeal inlet. In this manner, the epiglottis-holding ridge may catch the patient's epiglottis, and push the patient's epiglottis to a desired position in order to facilitate delivery of medicament toward the patient's lungs via the laryngeal mask. By subtending a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface, an epiglottis-holding pocket (some might prefer to call this an epiglottis retention pocket) may be formed in part by a surface of the epiglottis-holding ridge, and the epiglottis-holding pocket may extend from that ridge toward the subtended portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface. When in use, the patient's epiglottis may reside in the epiglottis-holding pocket.
Having provided a brief description of a method that is in keeping with the invention, additional details of such a method are given herein. In one such method, an MDD may be provided and then the laryngeal mask is inserted into the patient along the hard palate so as to advance the laryngeal mask through the patient's oropharynx into the patient's hypopharynx and so that the distal tip of the laryngeal mask begins to enter the patient's esophagus. With continued pushing, the laryngeal mask will be further advanced into the patient so that the epiglottis-holding ridge will move slightly beyond the epiglottis and resistance will be met. With the distal tip residing slightly in the esophagus, and the epiglottis-holding ridge residing slightly beyond the epiglottis, the laryngeal mask may be pulled back so that the epiglottis-holding ridge contacts and holds the epiglottis in an open-airway position. With the patient's epiglottis in the open-airway position, medicament may be delivered via the laryngeal mask to the patient. For example, medicament may be forced through a delivery tube of the MDD toward the laryngeal mask, and from the laryngeal mask the medicament may exit the laryngeal mask toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
The epiglottis-holding ridge may be positioned near to the distal end of the delivery tube. For example, a plane that is (a) substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube and which (b) contains at least a portion of the distal end of the delivery tube may also (c) contain a portion to the epiglottis-holding ridge.
The epiglottis-holding pocket may be positioned near to the distal end of the delivery tube. For example, a plane that is (a) substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube and which (b) contains at least a portion of the distal end of the delivery tube may also (c) contain a portion to the epiglottis-holding pocket.
On a posterior-side of the mask, which faces away and/or may be on a side opposite from the anterior patient-contacting surface, there may be a plurality of ridges, which may be substantially parallel to each other. The plurality of ridges may be flexible. In some embodiments of the invention, the ridges may have an aspect ratio of 0.53:1 to 22.38:1 including every increment (e.g. every 0.01 increment) therebetween of the height and/or width of the ratio. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the ridges may have an aspect ratio of from 1.07:1 to 11.19:1, including every increment (e.g. every 0.01 increment) of the height and/or width therebetween. When the posterior-ridges are substantially parallel, the plurality of substantially parallel ridges may be oriented in a direction that may be substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube extends.
The delivery tube may be curved lengthwise. In such an embodiment of the invention, a face region of the laryngeal mask, which when positioned in a patient faces toward the patient's laryngeal inlet and the tissue immediately adjacent to that laryngeal inlet, may face substantially in a direction of a radius of curvature that defines the lengthwise curve.
Other embodiments of an MDD that are in keeping with the invention may have a delivery tube and a laryngeal mask that is in liquid-communication with the delivery tube. The laryngeal mask may have an anterior patient-contacting surface that, when the MDD is installed in a patient, contacts the patient in an area near the patient's laryngeal inlet and at least partially surrounds the patient's laryngeal inlet. Such an MDD may have:
Such ridges may be curved. These other embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following:
The invention may be embodied as a laryngeal mask having:
Such a laryngeal mask may have a plurality of ridges on a posterior-side of the mask opposite the anterior patient-contacting surface. Those ridges may be substantially parallel to each other and oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which a delivery tube would extend (once the mask is joined to such a delivery tube).
Such a laryngeal mask may have a receiving/discharge surface on a direction-changing body that is positioned in a bowl created by the mask. The receiving/discharge surface may be (a) positioned to receive medicament from the medicament channel, and (b) shaped to discharge the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet. Such a direction-changing body may have an extension extending from the direction-changing body that is connected to a distal portion of the mask.
The invention may be embodied as a kit comprising an MDD and medicament. The medicament may be a surfactant for administration to a patient's lungs to facilitate breathing.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and the subsequent description. Briefly, the drawings are:
The invention may be embodied as a medicament delivery device (“MDD”) 10 for delivering medicament to a patient. For example, the invention may be embodied as a device 10 for delivering a surfactant to an infant. Such a device 10 may be a laryngeal mask 13, or may be a laryngeal mask 13 in combination with a delivery tube 16, or may be a laryngeal mask 13 in combination with both a delivery tube 16 and a supply hub 19.
The delivery tube 16 may be mated with the laryngeal mask 13 and the supply hub 19, and may be secured to one or both of the mask 13 and/or supply hub 19 by an adhesive such as an adhesive that is curable with ultra-violet light, for example, Loctite AA 3971. The delivery tube 16 may be made of Polyvinyl Chloride (“PVC”), such as Teknor Apex 3301R-81-NT. The supply hub 19 may be made of Polycarbonate (“PC”), such as Makrolon 2485 clear.
The supply hub 19 may provide a port 22 for connecting to a source 23 of breathing gas, and/or may provide a port 25 for connecting to a source 26 of medicament. In
In an embodiment of the invention, the mask 13 may not be inflatable. A face-region 31 of the mask 13, which in use provides an anterior patient-contacting surface 34 that contacts the patient near the patient's laryngeal inlet, may be made of a deformable material (such as a Thermo Plastic Elastomer (“TPE”), such as Teknor Apex Medalist MD-12130H Natural) so as to facilitate the formation of a seal between the patient and the mask 13. Such a material used to provide such an anterior patient-contacting surface 34 may have a Shore hardness on the A-scale of at least 5 and not more than 50. The mask 13 is shaped to form a bowl 35 that extends from a distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16 toward the anterior patient-contacting surface 34.
With reference to
The delivery tube 16 may be shaped to have a substantially flat side 41, which is substantially flat when viewed in a cross-section taken substantially perpendicular to an in—use primary flow direction of the gas within the delivery tube. Such a substantially flat side 41 may facilitate gripping of the delivery tube 16 by a healthcare professional, and may be used by the healthcare professional to facilitate proper orientation of the device 10 prior to inserting and during insertion of the mask 13 into a patient.
The delivery tube 16 may be curved lengthwise and flexible so as to substantially conform to the general shape of the patient's pharynx. The delivery tube 16 may be curved to subtend an arc of from 25 degrees to 135 degrees. The radius of curvature 43 of the delivery tube 16 may be from 1.18 inches to 1.59 inches, including all increments (e.g. every 0.01 inch increment) therebetween. When assembling the MDD, the mask 13 may be oriented relative to the delivery tube 16 so that the face-region 31 substantially faces in a direction of the delivery tube's 16 radius of curvature 43. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the delivery tube 16 may have at least two gas channels 37, and the medicament channel 40 resides between the gas channels 37.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the radius of curvature 43 of the delivery tube 16 is, without applying any external force to the MDD 10, smaller than that of the patient's pharynx. By having such a radius of curvature 43, the patient's pharynx will press on the delivery tube 16 so as to increase the delivery tube's 16 radius of curvature 43. When not in its natural radius of curvature 43 by virtue of the pharynx pressing on the delivery tube, a force may be transmitted via the delivery tube 16 to the mask 13, and this causes the anterior patient-contacting surface 34 to press against the tissue surrounding the patient's laryngeal inlet, thereby encouraging the anterior patient-contacting surface 34 to form a seal with the tissue surrounding the patient's laryngeal inlet.
The supply hub 19 may provide a saddle-surface 60 against which the medicament tube 48 of the supply hub 19 may be placed. See
In this fashion, adhesive placed in the cup 75 may be prevented from flowing into a gas channel 78 of the supply hub 19 prior to hardening, and thereby enabling the formation of a bond between the supply hub 19 and the hub medicament tube 48.
Via the supply hub gas channel 78, gas may travel to and from the delivery tube 16.
The supply hub 19 may have a flange 81 (see
Having provided a general overview of MDD's 10 that are in keeping with the invention, it should now be apparent that such an MDD 10, when assembled and then installed in a patient, may be used so that medicament from a medicament source 26 may be delivered to the supply hub 19, which may convey the medicament via the hub medicament channel 45 to the delivery tube 16, which in turn may deliver the medicament via the delivery tube medicament channel 40 to the mask 13, which in turn may deliver the medicament to the laryngeal inlet of the patient. While medicament is being delivered by the MDD 10, to accommodate inhalation by the patient, breathing gas can be delivered from a gas source 23 to the supply hub 19, which in turn may deliver the breathing gas via the hub gas channel 78, 78A, 78B to the delivery tube 16, which in turn may deliver the breathing gas via the delivery tube gas channel(s) 37 to the mask 13. In addition, to accommodate exhalation by the patient, exhaled gas from the patient may be delivered to the mask 13, which in turn may deliver the exhaled gas to the delivery tube 16, which in turn may deliver the exhaled gas via the delivery tube gas channel(s) 37 to the hub gas channel(s) 78, 78A, 78B.
It may be contemplated that the MDD 10 will not likely remain in the patient for long periods of time, but instead will be inserted merely for a period of time (e.g. five minutes or less) that may be long enough to facilitate efficient delivery of a dose of medicament to the patient's laryngeal inlet. It may be contemplated that soon after a dose of medicament has been delivered to the patient, the MDD 10 will be removed from the patient.
To facilitate delivery of the medicament to the patient, the mask 13 may have one or more ridges 96 that subtend a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface 34 that is distal from the delivery tube 16. In such an embodiment of the MDD 10, medicament that reaches the ridge(s) 96 may be caused by the ridge(s) 96 to change direction, and thus move more quickly into and/or toward the patient's laryngeal inlet. Such a medicament-diversion ridge 96 may prevent or reduce pooling of the medicament, and thereby move the medicament to and through the patient's laryngeal inlet in a more efficient manner. Such a medicament-diversion ridge 96 may be curved (see
To facilitate holding the patient's epiglottis away from the laryngeal inlet, the mask 13 may have one or more ridges 99 that subtend a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface 34 that may be proximal to the delivery tube 16. By subtending a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface 34, an epiglottis-holding pocket 100 may be formed in part by a surface of the epiglottis-holding ridge 99, and the epiglottis-holding pocket 100 may extend from that ridge 99 toward the subtended portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface 34. When in use, the patient's epiglottis may reside in the epiglottis-holding pocket 100. Such an epiglottis-holding ridge 99 may be curved.
The epiglottis-holding ridge 99 may be positioned near to the distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16. That is to say that the distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16 and at least a portion of the epiglottis-holding ridge 99 may reside in a plane 101 that is substantially perpendicular to the primary flow-direction of gas flowing in the delivery tube 16 at a location that is immediately prior to exiting the delivery tube 16 toward the mask 13. For example, the plane 101 may be (a) substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube and (b) contain at least a portion of the distal end 36 of the delivery tube, and (c) contain a portion to the epiglottis-holding ridge. By positioning the distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16 in this manner, when in use in a patient the distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16 will be close to the patient's laryngeal inlet, and preferably close enough that the medicament has enough velocity to escape the bowl and land in the laryngeal inlet of the patient or the distal end of the bowl.
In other embodiments of the invention, the epiglottis-holding pocket 100 may be positioned near to the distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16. That is to say that the distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16 and at least a portion of the epiglottis-holding pocket 100 may reside in a plane 101 that is substantially perpendicular to the primary flow-direction of gas flowing in the delivery tube 16 at a location that is immediately prior to exiting the delivery tube 16 toward the mask 13. For example, the plane 101 may be (a) substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube 16 and (b) contain at least a portion of the distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16, and (c) contain a portion to the epiglottis-holding pocket 100. By positioning the distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16 in this manner, when in use in a patient the distal end 36 of the delivery tube 16 will be close to the patient's laryngeal inlet and thereby facilitate the medicament to exit the medicament channel 40 with enough momentum to escape the bowl 35 (perhaps after striking a portion of the bowl or the direction-changing body 146) and travel toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
On a posterior-side 105 of the mask 13 may be a plurality of ridges 108, which may be oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube 16 extends. Such posterior-ridges 108 may be made of a soft and flexible material (such as a Thermo Plastic Elastomer (“TPE”), an example of which is Teknor Apex Medalist MD-12130H Natural) in order to facilitate placement of the mask 13 in the patient, and/or in order to assist with pressing the anterior patient-contacting surface 34 to the area surrounding the laryngeal inlet. For example, the posterior-ridges 108 may have a Shore hardness on the A-scale of at least 5 and not more than 50. The posterior-ridges may be made from the same material as other portions of the mask 13.
The height 111 of the posterior-ridges 108 may vary. For example, posterior-ridges 108 on the far left side 114 and the far right side 117 of the mask 13 may have a maximum height 111 that is less than a maximum height 111 of posterior-ridges 108 positioned centrally on the mask 13.
Although the widths 120 of the posterior-ridges 108 are shown in
Furthermore, the lengths 123 of the posterior-ridges 108 may vary. For example, posterior-ridges 108 on left 114 and right 117 sides of the mask 13 may be shorter in length 123 than posterior-ridges 108 positioned centrally on the mask 13.
Alternatively, a connector may be used in order to facilitate a connection between the mask 13 and the delivery tube 16.
A connector situated between the mask and the delivery tube may have a medicament channel and one or more gas channels. The medicament channel may be configured to facilitate the delivery of medicament from the delivery tube toward the mask. A medicament tube (which may be stainless steel) may reside in the medicament channel in order to provide proper alignment of the connector with the delivery tube, and also to convey medicament from the delivery tube's medicament channel to the mask. Each of the gas channels of the connector may be configured to facilitate the movement of gas from the mask toward the delivery tube, and from the delivery tube toward the mask. The medicament channel of such a connector may reside between the gas channels of such a connector. Each gas channel of such a connector may be configured to facilitate gas-communication with only one of the gas channels of the delivery tube.
Additional information about the connector 132 can be seen in
It should be noted that an MDD 10 according to the invention may include a connector extending between the supply hub and the delivery tube. Such a connector situated between the supply hub and the delivery tube may have a medicament channel and one or more gas channels. The medicament channel may be configured to facilitate the delivery of medicament from the supply hub toward the delivery tube. A medicament tube (which may be stainless steel) may reside in, and extend from, the medicament channel of such a connector in order to mate with the delivery tube's medicament channel, and such a tube may provide proper alignment of the connector with the delivery tube when assembling the device, and also serve to convey medicament from the supply hub's medicament channel to the delivery tube when the device is in use with a patient.
In a hub/delivery tube connector, each of the gas channels of the connector may be configured to facilitate the movement of gas from the supply hub toward the delivery tube, and from the delivery tube toward the supply hub. The medicament channel of such a connector may reside between the gas channels of such a connector. Each gas channel of such a connector may be configured to facilitate gas-communication with only one of the gas channels of the delivery tube.
The connector that interfaces with the delivery tube and supply hub may have a portion of the connector residing inside the delivery tube, and a portion of the connector residing inside the supply hub. However, such a connector may:
It should be noted that the invention may be embodied as an MDD having a delivery tube 16 that has a single gas channel 37.
A list of feature numbers is:
Now that features of the invention and some embodiments of the invention have been described, an outline (non-limiting) of various embodiments of the invention is stated as follows:
A1. A medicament delivery device (“MDD”), comprising:
(i) toward the laryngeal mask; and
(ii) away from the laryngeal mask.
A5. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask is not inflatable.
A6. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface has a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale.
A7. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the delivery tube is curved lengthwise.
A8. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface faces substantially in a direction of a radius of curvature defining the lengthwise curve.
A9. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, further comprising a supply hub having an interior wall surface defining a channel (the “Hub Medicament Channel”), the Hub Medicament Channel being:
(i) toward the DT Gas Channel; and
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with a source of breathing gas; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the DT Gas Channel.
A13. The MDD of Statement A12, wherein each Hub Gas Channel is configured to facilitate conveying breathing gas:
(a) toward the DT Gas Channel; and
(b) away from the DT Gas Channel.
A14. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, further comprising a medicament tube (the “Hub Medicament Tube”) disposed in the Hub Medicament Channel.
A15. The MDD of Statement A14, wherein the supply hub has a surface defining a hole that is not circular and through which the Hub Medicament Tube extends.
A16. The MDD of Statement A14, wherein the supply hub further comprises a saddle-surface contacting the Hub Medicament Tube.
A17. The MDD of Statement A14, wherein the Hub Medicament Tube is metal.
A18. The MDD of Statement A17, wherein the metal is stainless steel.
A19. The MDD of Statement A14, wherein the Hub Medicament Tube includes a bend.
A20. The MDD of Statement A18, wherein the bend is approximately 90 degrees.
A21. The MDD of any of Statements A9-A20, wherein the supply hub has a flange.
A22. The MDD of Statement A21, wherein the flange has an annularly positioned surface, and the annularly positioned surface has a substantially flat portion.
A23. The MDD of any of Statements A9-A22, wherein the DT Medicament Channel is configured to facilitate conveying medicament from the Hub Medicament Channel toward the DT Medicament Channel.
A24. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface is configured to fit snugly against a patient proximal to a laryngeal inlet of the patient.
A25. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask further comprises a medicament-diversion ridge that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that is distal from the delivery tube.
A26. The MDD of Statement A25, wherein the medicament-diversion ridge is curved.
A27. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask further comprises an epiglottis-holding ridge that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that is proximal to a distal end of the delivery tube.
A28. The MDD of Statement A27, wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the delivery tube and a portion of the epiglottis-holding ridge are positioned so that a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube (a) contains at least the portion of the distal end of the delivery tube and (b) contains a portion to the epiglottis-holding ridge.
A29. The MDD of Statement A27 or Statement A28, wherein an epiglottis-holding pocket is formed in part by a surface of the epiglottis-holding ridge, and the epiglottis-holding pocket extends from the epiglottis-holding ridge toward the subtended portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface.
A30. The MDD of any of Statements A27-A29, wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the delivery tube and a portion of the epiglottis-holding pocket are positioned so that a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube (a) contains at least the portion of the distal end of the delivery tube and (b) contains a portion to the epiglottis-holding pocket.
A31. The MDD of any of Statements A27-A30, wherein the epiglottis-holding ridge is curved.
A32. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask has a plurality of ridges on a posterior-side opposite the anterior patient-contacting surface.
A33. The MDD of Statement A32, wherein the plurality of ridges are substantially parallel to each other and the ridges are oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube extends.
A34. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, further comprising a direction-changing body positioned in a bowl created by the mask, the direction-changing body being positioned to receive medicament from the medicament channel, and shaped to direct the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
A35. The MDD of Statement A34, further comprising an extension connected to the direction-changing body and connected to a distal portion of the mask.
A36. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask has a cuff-portion providing at least a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface, the cuff-portion having a side-groove facing a posterior-side of the laryngeal mask.
A37. The MDD of any of the prior A Statements, wherein the delivery tube is shaped such that a cross-section of the delivery tube taken substantially perpendicular to an in-use primary flow direction of gas within the delivery tube presents a side that is substantially flat.
B38. A medicament delivery device (“MDD”), comprising:
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the delivery tube; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the laryngeal mask.
B40. The MDD of Statement B39, wherein each of the Connector Gas Channels are further configured to facilitate conveying gas:
(a) from the delivery tube toward the laryngeal mask; and
(b) from the laryngeal mask toward the delivery tube.
B41. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the Connector Medicament Channel is disposed between at least two of the Connector Gas Channels.
B42. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “DT Gas Channels”), each of the DT Gas Channels being configured to facilitate gas-communication with the Connector Gas Channels.
B43. The MDD of Statement B42, wherein the DT Gas Channels are configured to facilitate conveying gas toward and away from the Connector Gas Channels.
B44. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “DT Gas Channels”), wherein:
(a) toward the delivery tube; and
(b) away from the delivery tube.
B60. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining a medicament channel (the “DT Medicament Channel”), the DT Medicament Channel being configured to facilitating medicament-communication with the Hub Medicament Channel.
B61. The MDD of Statement B60, wherein the DT Medicament Channel is configured to facilitate conveying medicament from the supply hub toward the laryngeal mask.
B62. The MDD of any of the Statements B52 through B59, or B61, wherein the supply hub has a flange.
B63. The MDD of Statement B62, wherein the flange has an annularly positioned surface, and the annularly positioned surface has a substantially flat portion.
B64. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask is not inflatable.
B65. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface has a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale.
B66. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the delivery tube is curved lengthwise.
B67. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface is configured to fit snugly against a patient proximal to a laryngeal inlet of the patient.
B68. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask further comprises a medicament-diversion ridge that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that is distal from the delivery tube.
B69. The MDD of Statement B68, wherein the medicament-diversion ridge is curved.
B70. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask further comprises an epiglottis-holding ridge that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that is proximal to the delivery tube.
B71. The MDD of Statement B70, wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the delivery tube and a portion of the epiglottis-holding ridge are positioned so that a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube (a) contains at least the portion of the distal end of the delivery tube and (b) contains a portion to the epiglottis-holding ridge.
B72. The MDD of Statement B70 or B71, wherein an epiglottis-holding pocket is formed in part by a surface of the epiglottis-holding ridge, and the epiglottis-holding pocket extends from the epiglottis-holding ridge toward the subtended portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface.
B73. The MDD of Statement B72, wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the delivery tube and a portion of the epiglottis-holding pocket are positioned so that a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube (a) contains at least the portion of the distal end of the delivery tube and (b) contains a portion to the epiglottis-holding pocket.
B74. The MDD of any of Statements B70 through B73, wherein the epiglottis-holding ridge is curved.
B75. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask has a plurality of ridges on a posterior-side of the mask opposite the anterior patient-contacting surface.
B76. The MDD of Statement B75, wherein the plurality of ridges are oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube extends.
B77. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, further comprising a direction-changing body positioned in a bowl created by the mask, the direction-changing body being positioned to receive medicament from the medicament channel, and shaped to direct the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
B78. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, further comprising an extension connected to the direction-changing body and connected to a distal portion of the mask.
B79. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask has a cuff-portion providing the anterior patient-contacting surface, the cuff-portion having a side-groove facing a posterior-side of the laryngeal mask.
B80. The MDD of any of the prior B Statements, wherein the delivery tube is shaped such that a cross-section of the delivery tube taken substantially perpendicular to an in-use primary flow direction of gas within the delivery tube presents a side that is substantially flat.
C81. A medicament delivery device (“MDD”), comprising a laryngeal mask having:
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the delivery tube; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the laryngeal mask.
C90. The MDD of Statement C89, wherein the Connector Gas Channel is further configured to facilitate conveying gas:
(a) from the delivery tube toward the laryngeal mask; and
(b) from the laryngeal mask toward the delivery tube.
C91. The MDD of Statement C88, wherein the connector has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “Connector Gas Channels”) and the Connector Medicament Channel is disposed between at least two of the Connector Gas Channels.
C92. The MDD of Statement C91, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “DT Gas Channels”), wherein:
(a) toward the delivery tube; and
(b) away from the delivery tube.
C109. The MDD of Statement C82, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining a medicament channel (the “DT Medicament Channel”), the DT Medicament Channel being in medicament-communication with the Hub Medicament Channel.
C110. The MDD of Statement C109, wherein the DT Medicament Channel is configured to facilitate conveying medicament from the supply hub toward the laryngeal mask.
C111. The MDD of any of Statements C101-C118, wherein the supply hub has a flange.
C112. The MDD of Statement C111, wherein the flange has an annularly positioned surface, and the annularly positioned surface has a substantially flat portion.
C113. The MDD of Statement C82, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining a gas channel (the “DT Gas Channel”), the DT Gas Channel being configured to facilitate gas-communication with the laryngeal mask.
C114. The MDD of Statement C113, wherein the DT Gas Channel is configured to facilitate conveying gas toward and away from the laryngeal mask.
C115. The MDD of any of Statements C82 through C114, wherein the delivery tube is curved lengthwise.
C116. The MDD of Statements C82 through C114, wherein the delivery tube is shaped such that a cross-section of the delivery tube taken substantially perpendicular to an in-use primary flow direction of gas within the delivery tube presents a side that is substantially flat.
C117. The MDD of any of the prior C Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface is configured to fit snugly against a patient proximal to a laryngeal inlet of the patient.
C118. The MDD of any of the prior C Statements, wherein the medicament-diversion ridge is curved.
C119. The MDD of any of the prior C Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask is not inflatable.
C120. The MDD of any of the prior C Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface has a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale.
C121. The MDD of any of the prior C Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask has a plurality of ridges on a posterior-side of the mask opposite the anterior patient-contacting surface.
C122. The MDD of Statement C121, wherein the plurality of ridges are substantially parallel to each other and oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube extends.
C123. The MDD of any of the prior C Statements, further comprising a direction-changing body positioned in a bowl created by the mask, the direction-changing body being positioned to receive medicament from the medicament channel, and shaped to discharge the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
C124. The MDD of any of the prior C Statements, further comprising an extension connected to the direction-changing body and connected to a distal portion of the mask.
C125. The MDD of any of the prior C Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask has a cuff-portion providing the anterior patient-contacting surface, the cuff-portion having a side-groove facing a posterior-side of the laryngeal mask.
D126. A medicament delivery device (“MDD”), comprising a laryngeal mask having:
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the delivery tube; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the laryngeal mask.
D134. The MDD of Statement D133, wherein the Connector Gas Channel is further configured to facilitate conveying gas:
(a) from the delivery tube toward the laryngeal mask; and
(b) from the laryngeal mask toward the delivery tube.
D135. The MDD of Statement D132, wherein the connector has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “Connector Gas Channels”) and the Connector Medicament Channel is disposed between at least two of the Connector Gas Channels.
D136. The MDD of any of Statements D128 through D135, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “DT Gas Channels”), wherein:
(a) toward the delivery tube; and
(b) away from the delivery tube.
D153. The MDD of Statement D128, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining a medicament channel (the “DT Medicament Channel”), the DT Medicament Channel being in medicament-communication with the Hub Medicament Channel.
D154. The MDD of Statement D153, wherein the DT Medicament Channel is configured to facilitate conveying medicament from the supply hub toward the laryngeal mask.
D155. The MDD of any of Statements D145 through D152, wherein the supply hub has a flange.
D156. The MDD of Statement D155, wherein the flange has an annularly positioned surface, and the annularly positioned surface has a substantially flat portion.
D157. The MDD of Statement D128, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining a gas channel (the “DT Gas Channel”), the DT Gas Channel being configured to facilitate gas-communication with the laryngeal mask.
D158. The MDD of Statement D157, wherein the DT Gas Channel is configured to facilitate conveying gas toward and away from the laryngeal mask.
D159. The MDD of any of Statements D128 through D158, wherein the delivery tube is curved lengthwise.
D160. The MDD of any of Statements D128 through D158, wherein the delivery tube is shaped such that a cross-section of the delivery tube taken substantially perpendicular to an in-use primary flow direction of gas within the delivery tube presents a side that is substantially flat.
D161. The MDD of any of the prior D Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface is configured to fit snugly against a patient proximal to a laryngeal inlet of the patient;
D162. The MDD of any of the prior D Statements, wherein the epiglottis-holding ridge is curved.
D163. The MDD of any of the prior D Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask is not inflatable.
D164. The MDD of any of the prior D Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface has a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale.
D165. The MDD of any of the prior D Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask has a plurality of ridges on a posterior-side of the mask opposite the anterior patient-contacting surface.
D166. The MDD of Statement D165, wherein the plurality of ridges are substantially parallel to each other and oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube extends.
D167. The MDD of any of the prior D Statements, further comprising a direction-changing body positioned in a bowl created by the mask, the direction-changing body being positioned to receive medicament from the medicament channel, and shaped to discharge the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
D168. The MDD of any of the prior D Statements, further comprising an extension connected to the direction-changing body and connected to a distal portion of the mask.
D169. The MDD of any of the prior D Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask has a cuff-portion providing the anterior patient-contacting surface, the cuff-portion having a side-groove facing a posterior-side of the laryngeal mask.
E170. A laryngeal mask, comprising:
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the delivery tube; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the laryngeal mask.
F194. The MDD of Statement F192, wherein the Connector Gas Channel is further configured to facilitate conveying gas:
(a) from the delivery tube toward the laryngeal mask; and
(b) from the laryngeal mask toward the delivery tube.
F195. The MDD of Statement F192, wherein the connector has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “Connector Gas Channels”) and the Connector Medicament Channel is disposed between at least two of the Connector Gas Channels.
F196. The MDD of Statement F186, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “DT Gas Channels”), wherein:
(a) toward the delivery tube; and
(b) away from the delivery tube.
F213. The MDD of any of Statements F186 and F205 through F212, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining a medicament channel (the “DT Medicament Channel”), the DT Medicament Channel being in medicament-communication with the Hub Medicament Channel.
F214. The MDD of Statement F213, wherein the DT Medicament Channel is configured to facilitate conveying medicament from the supply hub toward the laryngeal mask.
F215. The MDD of any of Statements F205 through F214, wherein the supply hub has a flange.
F216. The MDD of Statement F215, wherein the flange has an annularly positioned surface, and the annularly positioned surface has a substantially flat portion.
F217. The MDD of any of Statements F186 through F216, wherein the delivery tube has interior wall surfaces defining a gas channel (the “DT Gas Channel”), the DT Gas Channel being configured to facilitate gas-communication with the laryngeal mask.
F218. The MDD of Statement F217, wherein the DT Gas Channel is configured to facilitate conveying gas toward and away from the laryngeal mask.
F219. The MDD of Statement F217 or Statement F218, wherein the delivery tube is curved lengthwise.
F220. The MDD of any of Statements F217 through F219, wherein the delivery tube is shaped such that a cross-section of the delivery tube taken substantially perpendicular to an in-use primary flow direction of gas within the delivery tube presents a side that is substantially flat.
F221. The MDD of any of the prior F Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface is configured to fit snugly against a patient proximal to a laryngeal inlet of the patient.
F222. The MDD of any of the prior F Statements F185 through F186, wherein the medicament-diversion ridge is curved.
F223. The MDD of any of the prior F Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask is not inflatable.
F224. The MDD of any of the prior F Statements, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface has a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale.
F225. The MDD of any of the prior F Statements, further comprising a direction-changing body positioned in a bowl created by the mask, the direction-changing body being positioned to receive medicament from the medicament channel, and shaped to discharge the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
F226. The MDD of Statement F225, further comprising an extension connected to the direction-changing body and connected to a distal portion of the mask.
F227. The MDD of any of the prior F Statements, wherein the laryngeal mask has a cuff-portion providing the anterior patient-contacting surface, the cuff-portion having a side-groove facing a posterior-side of the laryngeal mask.
G1. A method of positioning medicament delivery device, comprising:
providing a medicament delivery device (“MDD”) having:
(i) toward the laryngeal mask; and
(ii) away from the laryngeal mask.
G11. The method of Statement G7, further comprising a supply hub having an interior wall surface defining a channel (the “Hub Medicament Channel”), the Hub Medicament Channel being:
(i) toward the DT Gas Channel; and
(ii) away from the DT Gas Channel.
G14. The method of Statement G11, wherein the supply hub has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “Hub Gas Channels”), each of the Hub Gas Channels being:
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with a source of breathing gas; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the DT Gas Channel.
G15. The method of Statement G14, wherein each Hub Gas Channel is configured to facilitate conveying breathing gas:
(a) toward the DT Gas Channel; and
(b) away from the DT Gas Channel.
G16. The method of Statement G11, further comprising a medicament tube (the “Hub Medicament Tube”) disposed in the Hub Medicament Channel.
G17. The method of Statement G16, wherein the supply hub has a surface defining a hole that is not circular and through which the Hub Medicament Tube extends.
G18. The method of Statement G16, wherein the medicament tube is metal.
G19. The method of Statement G16, wherein the supply hub further comprises a saddle-surface contacting the Hub Medicament Tube.
G20. The method of Statement G16, wherein the Hub Medicament Tube includes a bend.
G21. The method of Statement G20, wherein the bend is approximately 90 degrees.
G22. The method of Statement G11, wherein the supply hub has a flange.
G23. The method of Statement G22, wherein the flange has an annularly positioned surface, and the annularly positioned surface has a substantially flat portion.
G24. The method of Statement G11, wherein the DT Medicament Channel is configured to facilitate conveying medicament from the Hub Medicament Channel toward the DT Medicament Channel.
G25. The method of Statement G3, wherein the delivery tube is shaped such that a cross-section of the delivery tube taken substantially perpendicular to an in-use primary flow direction of gas within the delivery tube presents a side that is substantially flat.
G26. The method of Statement G1, wherein the MDD has an epiglottis-holding pocket formed in part by a surface of the epiglottis-holding ridge, and the epiglottis-holding pocket extends from the epiglottis-holding ridge toward the subtended portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface.
G27. The method of Statement G26, wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the delivery tube and a portion of the epiglottis-holding pocket are positioned so that a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a gas-flow direction immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube (a) contains at least the portion of the distal end of the delivery tube and (b) contains a portion of the epiglottis-holding pocket.
G28. The method of Statement G1, wherein the epiglottis-holding ridge is curved.
G29. The method of Statement G1, wherein the laryngeal mask is not inflatable.
G30. The method of Statement G1, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface has a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale.
G31. The method of Statement G1, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface is configured to fit snugly against a patient proximal to a laryngeal inlet of the patient.
G32. The method of Statement G1, wherein the laryngeal mask further comprises a medicament-diversion ridge that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that is distal from the delivery tube.
G33. The method of Statement G32, wherein the medicament-diversion ridge is curved.
G34. The method of Statement G1, wherein the laryngeal mask has a plurality of ridges on a posterior-side opposite the anterior patient-contacting surface.
G35. The method of Statement G34, wherein the plurality of ridges are substantially parallel to each other and the ridges are oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube extends.
G36. The method of Statement G1, further comprising a direction-changing body positioned in a bowl created by the mask, the direction-changing body being positioned to receive medicament from the medicament channel, and shaped to direct the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
G37. The method of Statement G36, further comprising an extension connected to the direction-changing body and connected to a distal portion of the mask.
G38. The method of Statement G1, wherein the laryngeal mask has a cuff-portion providing at least a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface, the cuff-portion having a side-groove facing a posterior-side of the laryngeal mask.
H40. A method of delivering medicament, comprising:
(i) toward the laryngeal mask; and
(ii) away from the laryngeal mask.
H50. The method of Statement H46, further comprising a supply hub having an interior wall surface defining a channel (the “Hub Medicament Channel”), the Hub Medicament Channel being:
(i) toward the DT Gas Channel; and
(ii) away from the DT Gas Channel.
H53. The method of Statement H50, wherein the supply hub has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “Hub Gas Channels”), each of the Hub Gas Channels being:
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with a source of breathing gas; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the DT Gas Channel.
H54. The method of Statement H53, wherein each Hub Gas Channel is configured to facilitate conveying breathing gas:
(a) toward the DT Gas Channel; and
(b) away from the DT Gas Channel.
H55. The method of Statement H50, further comprising a medicament tube (the “Hub Medicament Tube”) disposed in the Hub Medicament Channel.
H56. The method of Statement H55, wherein the supply hub has a surface defining a hole that is not circular and through which the Hub Medicament Tube extends.
H57. The method of Statement H55, wherein the medicament tube is metal.
H58. The method of Statement H55, wherein the supply hub further comprises a saddle-surface contacting the Hub Medicament Tube.
H59. The method of Statement H55, wherein the Hub Medicament Tube includes a bend.
H60. The method of Statement H59, wherein the bend is approximately 90 degrees.
H61. The method of Statement H50, wherein the supply hub has a flange.
H62. The method of Statement H61, wherein the flange has an annularly positioned surface, and the annularly positioned surface has a substantially flat portion.
H63. The method of Statement H50, wherein the DT Medicament Channel is configured to facilitate conveying medicament from the Hub Medicament Channel toward the DT Medicament Channel.
H64. The method of Statement H42, wherein the delivery tube is shaped such that a cross-section of the delivery tube taken substantially perpendicular to an in-use primary flow direction of gas within the delivery tube presents a side that is substantially flat.
H65. The method of Statement H40, wherein the MDD has an epiglottis-holding pocket formed in part by a surface of the epiglottis-holding ridge, and the epiglottis-holding pocket extends from the epiglottis-holding ridge toward the subtended portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface.
H66. The method of Statement H65, wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the delivery tube and a portion of the epiglottis-holding pocket are positioned so that a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a gas-flow direction immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube (a) contains at least the portion of the distal end of the delivery tube and (b) contains a portion of the epiglottis-holding pocket.
H67. The method of Statement H40, wherein the epiglottis-holding ridge is curved.
H68. The method of Statement H40, wherein the laryngeal mask is not inflatable.
H69. The method of Statement H40, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface has a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale.
H70. The method of Statement H40, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface is configured to fit snugly against a patient proximal to a laryngeal inlet of the patient.
H71. The method of Statement H40, wherein the laryngeal mask further comprises a medicament-diversion ridge that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that is distal from the delivery tube.
H72. The method of Statement H71, wherein the medicament-diversion ridge is curved.
H73. The method of Statement H40, wherein the laryngeal mask has a plurality of ridges on a posterior-side opposite the anterior patient-contacting surface.
H74. The method of Statement H73, wherein the plurality of ridges are substantially parallel to each other and the ridges are oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube extends.
H75. The method of Statement H40, further comprising a direction-changing body positioned in a bowl created by the mask, the direction-changing body being positioned to receive medicament from the medicament channel, and shaped to direct the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
H76. The method of Statement H75, further comprising an extension connected to the direction-changing body and connected to a distal portion of the mask.
H77. The method of Statement H40, wherein the laryngeal mask has a cuff-portion providing at least a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface, the cuff-portion having a side-groove facing a posterior-side of the laryngeal mask.
I80. A device for delivering medicament, comprising:
a medicament delivery device (“MDD”) having:
wherein:
(i) toward the laryngeal mask; and
(ii) away from the laryngeal mask.
I90. The device of Statement I86, further comprising a supply hub having an interior wall surface defining a channel (the “Hub Medicament Channel”), the Hub Medicament Channel being:
(i) toward the DT Gas Channel; and
(ii) away from the DT Gas Channel.
I93. The device of Statement I90, wherein the supply hub has interior wall surfaces defining at least two gas channels (the “Hub Gas Channels”), each of the Hub Gas Channels being:
(a) configured to facilitate gas-communication with a source of breathing gas; and
(b) configured to facilitate gas-communication with the DT Gas Channel.
I94. The device of Statement I93, wherein each Hub Gas Channel is configured to facilitate conveying breathing gas:
(a) toward the DT Gas Channel; and
(b) away from the DT Gas Channel.
I95. The device of Statement I90, further comprising a medicament tube (the “Hub Medicament Tube”) disposed in the Hub Medicament Channel.
I96. The device of Statement I95, wherein the supply hub has a surface defining a hole that is not circular and through which the Hub Medicament Tube extends.
I97. The device of Statement I95, wherein the medicament tube is metal.
I98. The device of Statement I95, wherein the supply hub further comprises a saddle-surface contacting the Hub Medicament Tube.
I99. The device of Statement I95, wherein the Hub Medicament Tube includes a bend.
I100. The device of Statement I99, wherein the bend is approximately 90 degrees.
I101. The device of Statement I90, wherein the supply hub has a flange.
I102. The device of Statement I101, wherein the flange has an annularly positioned surface, and the annularly positioned surface has a substantially flat portion.
I103. The device of Statement I90, wherein the DT Medicament Channel is configured to facilitate conveying medicament from the Hub Medicament Channel toward the DT Medicament Channel.
I104. The device of Statement I92, wherein the delivery tube is shaped such that a cross-section of the delivery tube taken substantially perpendicular to an in-use primary flow direction of gas within the delivery tube presents a side that is substantially flat.
I105. The device of Statement I80, wherein the MDD has an epiglottis-holding pocket formed in part by a surface of the epiglottis-holding ridge, and the epiglottis-holding pocket extends from the epiglottis-holding ridge toward the subtended portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface.
I106. The device of Statement I105, wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the delivery tube and a portion of the epiglottis-holding pocket are positioned so that a plane that is substantially perpendicular to a gas-flow direction immediately prior to leaving the delivery tube (a) contains at least the portion of the distal end of the delivery tube and (b) contains a portion of the epiglottis-holding pocket.
I107. The device of Statement I80, wherein the epiglottis-holding ridge is curved.
I108. The device of Statement I80, wherein the laryngeal mask is not inflatable.
I109. The device of Statement I80, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface has a Shore hardness of at least 5 and not more than 50 on the A-scale.
I110. The device of Statement I80, wherein the anterior patient-contacting surface is configured to fit snugly against a patient proximal to a laryngeal inlet of the patient.
I111. The device of Statement I80, wherein the laryngeal mask further comprises a medicament-diversion ridge that subtends a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface that is distal from the delivery tube.
I112. The device of Statement I111, wherein the medicament-diversion ridge is curved.
I113. The device of Statement I80, wherein the laryngeal mask has a plurality of ridges on a posterior-side opposite the anterior patient-contacting surface.
I114. The device of Statement I113, wherein the plurality of ridges are substantially parallel to each other and the ridges are oriented in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which the delivery tube extends.
I115. The device of Statement I80, further comprising a direction-changing body positioned in a bowl created by the mask, the direction-changing body being positioned to receive medicament from the medicament channel, and shaped to direct the medicament away from the laryngeal mask and toward the patient's laryngeal inlet.
I116. The device of Statement I115, further comprising an extension connected to the direction-changing body and connected to a distal portion of the mask.
I117. The device of Statement I80, wherein the laryngeal mask has a cuff-portion providing at least a portion of the anterior patient-contacting surface, the cuff-portion having a side-groove facing a posterior-side of the laryngeal mask.
Although the invention has been described with respect to one or more particular embodiments, it is to be understood that other embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, the invention is deemed limited only by the appended claims and the reasonable interpretation thereof.
This application is a continuation-in-part patent application of and claims priority to PCT/US2019/045830, which was filed on Aug. 9, 2019.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US19/45830 | Aug 2019 | US |
| Child | 16864248 | US |
