ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE CLAMP

• US 3,760,811 A
• Filed: 01/20/1971
• Issued: 09/25/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daniel Edward Andrew
• Original Assignee: Daniel Edward Andrew
• Inventors: Andrew, Daniel Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Pace, Channing L.
• Application Number:
  US05/108,158
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 24/263P,263PR,263R 128/346,351
• US Class Current: 128/207.17
• 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 2025/024 having a clip or clamp system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44034 Dissociable gripping members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44094 with distinct means for preventing separation of members

Abstract

A disposable clamp for holding an endotracheal tube or the like during use comprises a pair of superimposed wafer-like clamping members formed with complementary cut-away portions to define an aperture for receiving the tube. The members provide respective pairs of parallel upstanding walls of sawtooth profile which engage one another to prevent separation of the clamping members. The members are retained in superimposed relation by means of interfitting dovetail or equivalent formations. When assemled, the clamping members can be separated only by breaking one of the clamping members, for which purpose a line of easy fracture is provided.

Claims

1. A disposable clamp for holding an endotracheal tube, comprising:

a. a first U-shaped clamping member having a yoke portion and a pair of longitudinally extending limb portions, a projection from said flat upper surface, the projection defining a first pair of longitudinally extending walls of sawtooth profile and dovetail configuration;

b. a second U-shaped clamping member having a yoke portion and a pair of longitudinally extending limb portions, the limb portions defining a second pair of longitudinally extending walls of sawtooth profile and dovetail configuration engageable with said first pair of walls; and

c. said yoke portion and said limb portions of at least one clamping member having a flat central surface and laterallly beveled limb surfaces, the flat surface and beveled limb surfaces intersecting to define a pair of longitudinally extending juncture lines, and said second U-shaped clamping member having a flat central surface whereby upon the clamping members being assembled to define between the yoke portions and limb portions an aperture for receiving the endotracheal tube, said clamping members being retained in assembled relation by the mutual engagement of said pairs of longitudinally extending wall portions having said sawtooth profiles and dovetail configurations;

d. one of the clamping members has a line of weakness to permit said one member to be broken readily in order to separate the clamping members by pivotal movement of said second clamping member limbs about the longitudinally extending juncture lines.

2. A disposable clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein each clamping member has means for securing an attachment band thereto.

3. A disposable clamp according to claim 1, wherein each clamping member is formed with an integral tab for tying one end of an attachment band thereto.

4. A disposable clamp according to claim 1, wherein the clamping members are of moulded plastics material.