Superglottic and peri-laryngeal apparatus for supraglottic airway insertion

• US 20010039949A1
• Filed: 01/29/2001
• Published: 11/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul G. Loubser
• Original Assignee: Paul G. Loubser
• Inventors: Loubser, Paul G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,901,928 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2673 for monitoring movements of vocal chords
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0495 with tongue depressors

Abstract

A superglottic and peri-laryngeal apparatus for supraglottic airway device insertion that contemporaneously clears a patient'"'"'s upper airway of the tongue and other pharyngeal tissues, and raises the epiglottis without use of the medical practitioner'"'"'s fingers in the upper airway. The insertion apparatus comprises an offset member with a compressor-lever shield at a distal insertion end and a handle at the proximal end thereof. The offset member, medially disposed between the handle and the compressor-lever shield, should preferably be configured to be substantially flat, consistent in thickness throughout and having a tight, arcuate shape. The compressor- lever shield member preferably widens from its junction with the offset member into a broad tip at its leading distal edge.

Claims

1. In a patient'"'"'s mouth including a buccal cavity, a pharyngeal cavity, an epiglottis, a vallecular, and a tongue, a superglottic and peri-laryngeal apparatus for insertion of a supraglottic airway by a medical practitioner into said patient'"'"'s upper airway, said apparatus comprising:

a handle member;

an arcuate offset member disposed medially of said handle member and a compressor-lever shield member;

said compressor-lever shield member configured to continuously widen from said arcuate offset member to a substantially broad tip means disposed at said shield member'"'"'s leading, distal edge, and adapted to match size and configuration of the anatomical features of said patient'"'"'s upper airway; and

said arcuate offset member configured to enable said shield member to reach said supraglottic region proximal to the base of said tongue and said vallecular so as to provide sufficient leverage to enable said medical practitioner to compress and lift said tongue and to simultaneously lift said epiglottis in said pharyngeal cavity, while simultaneously flattening said tongue in said buccal cavity, for creating sufficient space in both said buccal cavity and said pharyngeal cavity to enable said medical practitioner to rapidly insert said supraglottic airway while minimizing tissue trauma and post-procedural patient discomfort.

2. The apparatus recited in

claim 1

, wherein said handle member, said arcuate offset member, and said compressor-lever shield member are integrally constructed.

3. The apparatus recited in

claim 1

, wherein said handle member and said arcuate offset member are releasably interconnected by a first connection means.

4. The apparatus recited in

claim 3

, wherein said first connection means comprises a threaded engagement between said handle member and said arcuate offset member.

5. The apparatus recited in

claim 3

, wherein said first connection means comprises a slotted engagement between said handle member and said arcuate offset member.

6. The apparatus recited in

claim 1

, wherein said arcuate offset member and said compression-lever shield member are interconnected by a second connection means.

7. The apparatus recited in

claim 6

, wherein said second connection means comprises a slotted channel engagement between said arcuate offset member and said compression-lever shield member.

8. The apparatus recited in

claim 1

, wherein said compression-lever shield member comprises a substantially flat configuration.

9. The apparatus recited in

claim 1

, wherein said compression-lever shield member comprises a substantially concave configuration.

10. The apparatus recited in

claim 1

, wherein said compression-lever shield member comprises a perimeter buffered edge to prevent tissue trauma as said shield member is advanced by said medical practitioner through said patient'"'"'s pharyngeal cavity into said vallecular.

11. The apparatus recited in

claim 1

, wherein said arcuate offset member includes a marker means disposed at its end proximal to said handle member, for guiding said medical practitioner when said shield member has been fully inserted into said patient'"'"'s upper airway.