Bronchoscope Adapter and Methods for Using the Same

• US 20150335228A1
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Published: 11/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Dinghua Lei, Michael Yuchen Lei, Thomas Dinghua Lei
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Dinghua Lei, Michael Yuchen Lei, Thomas Dinghua Lei
• Inventors: Lei, Thomas Dinghua, Lei, Michael Yuchen, Lei, Jeffrey Dinghua
• Granted Patent: US 10,485,406 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00112 Connection or coupling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00119 Tubes or pipes in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00137 End pieces at either end of the endoscope, e.g. caps, seals or forceps plugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/01 Guiding arrangements therefore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2676 Bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• 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 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405

Abstract

Bronchoscope adapters and methods of using the same are provided. Aspects of the adaptors include a body having a passageway, a mechanical ventilator access port, a bronchoscope access port configured to receive a bronchoscope into the passageway, and an exit port. The bronchoscope access port comprises a reversibly adjustable inner diameter component that provides locking of the bronchoscope at desired position. The adaptors find use in a variety of different applications.

Claims

1. A bronchoscopy/mechanical ventilation adaptor, the adaptor comprising:

a body having a passageway;

a mechanical ventilator access port configured to operatively couple a mechanical ventilator to the passageway;

a bronchoscope access port configured to receive a bronchoscope into the passageway, wherein the bronchoscope access port comprises a reversibly adjustable inner diameter component; and

an exit port configured to operatively connect the passageway to an endo tracheal tube.

2. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the bronchoscope access port comprises an actuator configured to provide for mechanical adjustment of the reversibly adjustable inner diameter component.

3. The adaptor according to claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a rotatable member.

4. The adaptor according to claim 3, wherein the rotatable member is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the bronchoscope access port.

5. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the reversibly adjustable inner diameter component comprises a compressible member.

6. The adaptor according to claim 5, wherein the compressible member is a compressible tube.

7. The adaptor according to claim 5, wherein the compressible member comprises a polymeric material.

8. The adaptor according to claim 7, wherein the polymeric material comprises a silicone or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

9. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the reversibly adjustable inner diameter component is configured to provide a magnitude of diameter change ranging from 1 to 3.5 mm.

10. The adaptor according to claim 9, wherein the reversibly adjustable inner diameter has an adjustable diameter that ranges from 3.5 to 7 mm.

11. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor is configured to be operatively employed with a mammal.

12. The adaptor according to claim 11, wherein the mammal is a human.

13. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the passageway ranges in length from 40 to 50 mm.

14. The adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the bronchoscope access port and exit port are coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the passageway.

15. The adaptor according to claim 14, wherein the mechanical ventilator port has a longitudinal access that is orthogonal to the longitudinal access of the passageway.

16. A bronchoscopy method, the method comprising:

providing a patient intubated with a tracheal tube operatively coupled to the exit port of an adaptor according to claim 1; and

introducing a bronchoscope into the access port of the adaptor.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method further comprises adjusting the inner diameter of the reversibly adjustable inner diameter component.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method further comprises imaging pulmonary tissue of the patient with the bronchoscope.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method further comprises removing pulmonary tissue from the patient via a working channel of the bronchoscope.

23. The method according to claim 16, wherein the patient is a human.

20-22. -22. (canceled)