Methods and apparatus for sub-glottic secretion collection

• US 20070017526A1
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apmed Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Apmed Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Abolfathi, Amir
• Application Number:
  US11/186,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20070017526A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.150
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0465 Tracheostomy tubes; Devices for performing a tracheostomy; Accessories therefor, e.g. masks, filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0472 Devices for performing a tracheostomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0484 at the distal end

Abstract

A sub-glottic secretion collection device comprises a body, a baffle, and a port. The body is expandable to be deployed within a patient'"'"'s trachea beneath the larynx. The baffle diverts secretions entering the trachea into a collection receptacle. The secretions may be aspirated through a port coupled to the collection receptacle. A relatively unobstructed air passageway through the device permits normal patient breathing while the secretions are being aspirated.

Claims

1. A sub-glottic secretion collection device comprising:

a body expandable within the trachea beneath the larynx, said body defining an air flow path and a secretions receptacle;

a baffle within the body to direct secretions toward the receptacle and away from the air flow path; and

a port open to the receptacle to allow secretions to drain or be aspirated from the receptacle.

2. A sub-glottic device as in claim 1, wherein the body s a self-expanding scaffold that can be delivered in a narrow width configuration and allowed to expand in situ within the trachea.

3. A sub-glottic device as in claim 1, wherein the scaffold is malleable so that it may be expanded by a radially outward force.

4. A method for delivering the sub-glottal device of claim 1 to a patient, said method comprising:

positioning a guidewire through the patient'"'"'s mouth, into the trachea and out through an external incision or through an incision from the trachea to the esophagus;

passing the device over the guidewire and into the trachea in a narrow width configuration; and

expanding the device in situ so that the body anchors in the trachea with the port passing through the incision.

5. A method for collecting secretions passing down a patient'"'"'s trachea, said method comprising:

implanting a diverter device in the trachea below the larynx;

allowing secretions to collect in a receptacle positioned in the diverter device; and

allowing air inspiration and exhalation through a flowpath past the diverter.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the collected secretions are allowed to flow externally through a port.

7. A method as in claim 5, wherein the collected secretions are allowed to flow into the esophagus through a port.

8. A method as in claim 5, wherein the secretions are periodically aspirated through a port.