Patent Application
20230053208
Embodiments of the present invention described herein generally relate to a Nasal Right Angle Endotracheal (RAE) Tube Protective Tip and a Method of Using the same. The Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip is designed to minimize or eliminate the bleeding that often results from the intubation of patients using an ordinary Nasal RAE Tube. The Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip is configured to prevent loss of the protective tip in the patient's nasal cavity, pharynx, or trachea during the intubation process, while allowing medical personnel to establish and maintain the patient's airway.
During surgeries performed in or around the oral cavity or mouth, such as orthodontic surgery, reconstructive surgery of the face, facial trauma surgery, surgery involving the head and neck, mouth, and jaws (maxillofacial surgery), as well as during facial cosmetic surgery, medical personnel must secure the patient's airway and protect the patient's lungs. A nasal RAE tube, then, is a tube that is inserted into the trachea for the primary purpose of establishing and maintaining a patient's airway, as well as preventing any blood or other fluids from getting into the lungs, and to ensure the adequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This nasal RAE tube is always inserted through the nose, through the nasal passages, through the pharynx and larynx, and into the trachea beyond the vocal cords. Magill's forceps are often used to guide the tip of the endotracheal tube through the vocal cords and into the trachea. Once the tip of the endotracheal tube is positioned within the trachea, an inflatable cuff attached to the nasal RAE tube is inflated to provide a seal between the endotracheal tube and the trachea, so that an adequate flow of air to the lungs is ensured, and to seal the lungs from the oral cavity, thereby preventing any fluids from getting into the lungs.
Many times, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, and for a variety of reasons such as a deviated septum, small nasal cavity, obstructions, hyperplasia of the turbinates, and etcetera, the tips of known nasal RAE tubes traumatize the nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, and/or vocal cords, causing bleeding. This is caused by the tip of known nasal RAE tubes, which may be excessively rigid, wide, blunt, and/or flared, characteristics that are necessitated by the function of the nasal RAE tube. This can not only make it challenging to pass the endotracheal tube into the trachea because of blood obscuring the airway and the endotracheal tube, but the bleeding can also be severe enough to cause harm to the patient.
Accordingly, there is an unmet need for a nasal RAE tube that avoids traumatizing the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, and/or vocal cord while being inserted into the trachea for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a patient's airway, and ensuring the adequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Embodiments described herein relate to a Nasal Right Angle Endotracheal (RAE) Tube Protective Tip and Method of Use thereof. The Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip is designed to minimize or eliminate bleeding and trauma of patients' nasal passages and pharynx during the intubation process. Further, the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip is configured to prevent loss of the protective tip in the patient's nasal cavity, pharynx, or trachea during the intubation process, while allowing the medical personnel to establish and maintain the patient's airway.
The present invention includes a protective sheath or tip that is provided with a hollow cylindrical portion and a tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion. In at least one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip, the hollow cylindrical portion is about 1 to 2 centimeters long, and the tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion is about 1 to 3 centimeters long. The protective sheath or tip may be made from silicone, rubber, or plastic. It may be designed in some embodiments to be disposable or reusable in other embodiments. The hollow cylindrical portion extends over the tip of the nasal RAE tube and fits snugly thereto. In some embodiments of the present invention, the hollow cylindrical portion extends only over the tip of the nasal RAE tube, whereas in other embodiments of the present invention, the hollow cylindrical portion may extend partially or fully over the cuff of the nasal RAE tube.
The tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion may be solid or hollow, or a combination of both, as needed to provide the level of stiffness and resiliency required. That is to say, the tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion is semi-rigid, yet pliable, so that it is sufficiently rigid to avoid bending over when pushed into the nasal cavity, yet soft enough to prevent tissue damage or trauma. If the tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion is hollow or partially hollow, the hollow space within the distal portion may or may not be in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow cylindrical portion of the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip. In this way, the tube of the nasal RAE tube may be used to pressurize or depressurize the hollow space within the distal portion as needed to help manipulate the nasal RAE tube with the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip through the patient's nasal cavity.
As the nasal RAE tube is inserted through the patient's nasal cavity, the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip spreads the passages gently and smoothly, allowing the nasal RAE tube to follow it into the pharynx, and minimizing trauma and bleeding of the nasal passages. In some embodiments of the Method of Use of the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip of the present invention, the protective tip may be lubricated prior to engaging it to the nasal RAE tube. In such an embodiment, the nasal RAE tube protective tip may be provided pre-lubricated in a package, so that medical personnel may simply open the packaging and engage the pre-lubricated nasal RAE tube protective tip with the nasal RAE tube.
The Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip of the present invention may be provided in several different sizes or diameters to engage with the tube tips of different size or diameter nasal RAE tubes. In this case, the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip of the present invention may be provided in different colors that are coded to indicate the size or diameter of nasal RAE tubes with which the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip is configured to engage. Additionally, each of the colors chosen for color coding of the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip may be chosen to provide sufficient contrast with blood to ensure that medical personnel are able to locate and remove the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip even in the event that there is blood in the oral cavity.
Strings or extensions may be attached to the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip, and may be provided with loops at their distal ends. The strings or extensions and loops are used to ensure that the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip is removed from the patient's nasal passages if the nasal RAE tube is withdrawn, and/or to ensure that the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip does not inadvertently obstruct the trachea during the removal process. In at least one non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip, the strings or extensions are about 15 to 25 centimeters in length and are positioned symmetrically about the centerline of the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip.
In another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip, the strings or extensions may be positioned asymmetrically and used in combination with one or more perforations or similar separation features. The one or more perforations or separation features may be positioned longitudinally along the hollow cylindrical portion or otherwise. In this way, when the strings or extensions and loops are pulled, the hollow cylindrical portion of the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip splits, and the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip may then be withdrawn using the strings or extensions. The nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip remains intact with its hollow cylindrical portion and its tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion all connected to the strings or extensions, thereby ensuring that the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip is fully removed. It is further contemplated that at least one of the strings or extensions may also function as an inflation tube that is connected to a hollow embodiment of the tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion, so that the tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion may be inflated or deflated as needed.
In use, the nasal RAE tube with the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip in place is passed through the patient's nasal cavity into the patient's pharynx at the back of the patient's oral cavity. If there is sufficient resistance to insertion of the nasal RAE tube, for non-limiting example because of a deviated septum, small nasal cavity, obstructions, and etcetera, such that in the judgment of the medical personnel the nasal RAE tube cannot be safely inserted by way of the patient's nasal cavity, having tried both sides, the nasal RAE tube may be withdrawn. In this situation, the strings or extensions are used to ensure that the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip is removed along with the nasal RAE tube.
Once the tube tip appears at the back of the patient's oral cavity, the medical personnel inserts Magill's forceps and removes the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip from the tube tip. The nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip may then be withdrawn by way of the patient's oral cavity, in which case the strings or extensions and loops may follow through the patient's nasal cavity. Alternately, the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip may then be withdrawn back through the patient's nasal cavity. Still alternately, once the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip is secured using the Magill's forceps, the medical personnel may decide to sever the strings or extensions so that the severed strings or extensions are removed back through the patient's nasal cavity, and the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip is removed through the patient's oral cavity. As Magill's forceps are currently a standard and necessary device for nasal intubations, no additional instruments are required to accomplish this procedure.
Still alternately, the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip may be left in place on the tube tip of the nasal RAE tube until the tube tip passes the vocal cords and enters the trachea. Prior to inflation of the cuff, the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip is then withdrawn using the strings or extensions and loops. In order to facilitate this, the medical personnel may use an embodiment of the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip having the one or more perforations or similar separation features, so that when the strings or extensions and loops are pulled, the hollow cylindrical portion of the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip splits, and the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip is withdrawn.
According to one embodiment of the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip and Method of Use thereof, a tube protective sheath or tip for use with a Nasal RAE Tube includes a hollow cylindrical portion configured to extend and fit snugly over the tube tip of a nasal RAE tube. A tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion is connected to the hollow cylindrical portion. String or extension are attached to the hollow cylindrical portion or the tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion.
According to another embodiment of the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip and Method of Use thereof, a nasal RAE tube has a tube protective sheath or tip. The nasal RAE tube includes a tube, an air supply connection connected to the tube, and a tube tip for insertion into the trachea of a patient by way of the patient's nasal cavity. The nasal RAE tube further includes a cuff for inflatably sealing against the patient's trachea. A cuff inflator valve is connected to the cuff by way of a cuff inflator tube. The tube protective sheath or tip includes a hollow cylindrical portion configured to extend and fit snugly over the tube tip of a nasal RAE tube. A tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion is connected to the hollow cylindrical portion. String or extension are attached to the hollow cylindrical portion or the tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion.
According to yet another embodiment of the Nasal RAE Tube Protective Tip and Method of Use thereof, a method of using a nasal RAE tube having a tube protective tip, includes several steps. The first step is providing a nasal RAE tube with a tube protective sheath or tip. The tube protective sheath or tip has a hollow cylindrical portion extending and fitting snugly over the tube tip. The tube protective sheath or tip further has a tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion connected to the hollow cylindrical portion. The tube protective sheath or tip further has strings or extensions attached to the hollow cylindrical portion or the tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion. The second step of the method is introducing the nasal RAE tube with the tube protective sheath or tip into the nasal cavity of a patient. The third step is manipulating the nasal RAE tube with the tube protective sheath or tip until the tube protective sheath or tip is visible in the pharynx at the back of the patient's oral cavity, while retaining the distal ends of the strings or extensions outside of the patient's nasal cavity. The fourth step is inserting a Magill's forceps by way of the patient's mouth. The fifth step is removing the tube protective sheath or tip from the nasal RAE tube using the Magill's forceps and withdrawing it from the patient.
The above-mentioned and other features of embodiments of the RAE tube protective tip and method of use thereof will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the RAE tube protective tip and method of use thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the RAE tube protective tip and method of use thereof, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any manner.
The following detailed description and appended drawing describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In respect of any methods disclosed and illustrated, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical.
Turning now to
As shown in
As noted previously, once the tube tip 34 appears in the pharynx at the back of the patient's oral cavity 10, the surgeon inserts Magill's forceps 42 by way of the patient's mouth. At this point, the surgeon may decide to remove the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip 50 from the tube tip 34. If so, the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip 50 may then be withdrawn by way of the patient's oral cavity 10, in which case the strings or extensions 56 and loops 58 follow through the patient's nasal cavity 14. Alternately, the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip 50 may then be withdrawn by way of the patient's nasal cavity 14, so that the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip 50 travels back through the patient's nasal cavity 14. Still alternately, once the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip 50 is secured using the Magill's forceps 42, the surgeon may decide to sever the strings or extensions 56 so that they are removed back through the patient's nasal cavity 14, and the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip 50 is removed through the patient's oral cavity 10.
As noted previously, the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip 50 may be left in place on the tube tip 34 of the nasal RAE tube 30 until the tube tip 34 passes the vocal cords 18 and enters the trachea 16. Prior to inflation of the cuff 36 using a syringe (not shown), the cuff inflator valve 40, and the cuff inflator tube 38, the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip 50 is withdrawn using the strings or extensions 56 and loops 58. In order to facilitate this, as noted previously, an embodiment of the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip 50 may, for non-limiting example, be provided with one or more perforations or similar separation features 60, positioned longitudinally along the hollow cylindrical portion 52 as shown in
While the RAE tube protective tip and method of use thereof has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the RAE tube protective tip and method of use thereof can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as demonstrated previously. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the RAE tube protective tip and method of use thereof using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
