UNIBODY AUSCULTATION INTERFACE

• US 20090314297A1
• Filed: 06/24/2008
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Mathews
• Original Assignee: John Mathews
• Inventors: Mathews, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,050,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.150
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4225 using image intensifiers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/02 Stethoscopes acoustic details thereof G10K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/042 with separate conduits for in-and expiration gas, e.g. for limited dead volume
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0841 for sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0883 Circuit type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a kit comprising a unibody auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed from a single contiguous nonmetallic piece, the piece being shaped into a cylindrical member having opposing ends respectively adapted to frictionally connect to the external end of an endotracheal tube and either the stem of a Y piece or the patient end of a common conduit, the cylindrical member having an opening in its wall, the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope; and, packaging means for enclosing the auscultation interface aseptically. The present invention additionally provides an endotracheal tube, Y piece, breathing circuit and mechanical ventilation system incorporating the auscultation interface.

Claims

1. A kit comprising (a) a unibody auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed from a single contiguous hollow non-metallic piece, the piece being shaped into a cylindrical member having opposing ends respectively adapted to frictionally connect to the external end of an endotracheal tube and either the stem or a Y piece or the patient end of a common conduit, the cylindrical member having a round opening in its wall, the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope;

and, (b) packaging means for enclosing the auscultation interface aseptically, wherein the auscultation interface is removeably secured relative to the packaging means to allow access to the auscultation interface for use with intubation or mechanical ventilation.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the auscultation interface is recyclable.

3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the auscultation interface is disposable.

4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the packaging means comprises a box enclosing a platform formed with a well for detachably receiving the unibody auscultation interface, and a self-adherent top-sealing sheet.

5. The kit of claim, 1 wherein the auscultation interface has opposing ends respectively adapted to frictionally connect to an inspiratory arm of a Y piece and an inspiratory limb of a breathing circuit.

6. The kit of claim, 1 wherein the auscultation interface has opposing ends respectively adapted to frictionally connect to an expiratory arm of a Y piece and an expiratory limb of a breathing circuit.

7. The kit of claim, 1 wherein the auscultation interface has opposing ends respectively adapted to frictionally connect to opposing sectioned ends of an inspiratory limb of a breathing circuit.

8. The kit of claim, 1 wherein the auscultation interface has opposing ends respectively adapted to frictionally connect to opposing sectioned ends of an expiratory limb of a breathing circuit.

9. A mechanical ventilation system incorporating the auscultation interface of claim 1.

10. A breathing circuit incorporating the auscultation interface of claim 1.

11. An endotracheal tube incorporating the auscultation interface of claim 1.

12. A Y-piece incorporating the auscultation interface of claim 1.

13. The auscultation interface of claim 1 wherein the roof is flat.

14. The auscultation interface of claim 1 wherein the roof is vaulted.

15. An endotracheal tube whose external end continuously and seamlessly expands into an open-ended chamber having the shape and function of the auscultation interface of claim 1.

16. A Y piece whose stem continuously and seamlessly expands into an open-ended chamber having the shape and function of the auscultation interface of claim 1.

17. A Y piece whose inspiratory arm continuously and seamlessly expands into an open-ended chamber having the shape and function of the auscultation interface of claim 1.

18. A Y piece whose expiratory arm continuously and seamlessly expands into an open-ended chamber having the shape and function of the auscultation interface of claim 1.

19. A breathing circuit, a portion of whose inspiratory limb continuously and seamlessly expands into a chamber having the shape and function of the auscultation interface of claim 1.

20. A breathing circuit, a portion of whose expiratory limb continuously and seamlessly expands into a chamber having the shape and function of the auscultation interface of claim 1.

21. An endotracheal tube whose external end terminates in an auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed as a seamless continuation of the endotracheal tube, the auscultation interface being shaped into a cylindrical member having an open-end adapted to frictionally connect to the stem of a Y piece or the patient end of a common conduit, the cylindrical member further having an opening in its wall the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope.

22. A Y piece whose stem terminates in an auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed as a seamless continuation of the Y piece, the auscultation interface being shaped into a cylindrical member having an open-end adapted to frictionally connect to the external end of an endotracheal tube, the cylindrical member further having an opening in its wall the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope.

23. A Y piece whose inspiratory arm terminates in an auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed as a seamless continuation of the Y piece, the auscultation interface being shaped into a cylindrical member having an open-end adapted to frictionally connect to the end of an inspiratory limb of a breathing circuit, the cylindrical member further having an opening in its wall the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope.

24. A Y piece whose expiratory arm terminates in an auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed as a seamless continuation of the Y piece, the auscultation interface being shaped into a cylindrical member having an open-end adapted to frictionally connect to the end of an expiratory limb of a breathing circuit, the cylindrical member further having an opening in its wall the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope.

25. A breathing circuit, a portion of whose inspiratory limb contains an auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed as a seamless continuation of the inspiratory limb, the auscultation interface being shaped into a cylindrical member, the cylindrical member further having an opening in its wall the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope.

26. A breathing circuit, a portion of whose expiratory limb contains an auscultation interface for use with mechanical ventilation or intubation, formed as a seamless continuation of the expiratory limb, the auscultation interface being shaped into a cylindrical member, the cylindrical member further having an opening in its wall the perimeter of which seamlessly elaborates a flared turret whose roof is adapted for non-adherent contact with the chest piece of a stethoscope.