Apparatus for arresting posterior nosebleeds

• US 4,338,941 A
• Filed: 09/10/1980
• Issued: 07/13/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hugh W. Payton
• Original Assignee: Hugh W. Payton
• Inventors: Payton, Hugh W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US06/185,707
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 128/342, 128/344, 128/341, 128/325, 128/118, 128/129, 128/296, 128/349 B
• US Class Current: 606/196
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12181 formed by fluidized, gelatinous or cellular remodelable materials, e.g. embolic liquids, foams or extracellular matrices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1052 for temporarily occluding a vessel for isolating a sector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A posterior nasal pack has a pair of adjoining inflatable bags sharing a common wall. A U-shaped channel adapted partially to surround the posterior edge of the septum is formed by the anterior walls of the bags which walls join in a common wall at the base of the channel. The bag exterior surfaces are covered with a foamed elastomer molded to conform generally to the bony protuberances and recesses located in the posterior portion of the nasal cavity. Two flexible tubes, each attached in fluid connection with a respective bag and extending forwardly therefrom for applying a source of fluid pressure to the bags. A string attached to the posterior end of the pack aids in its removal after bleeding has been stopped.

The pack is positioned in the nasal cavity by attaching it to a pair of catheters which have been inserted into a patient'"'"'s nostrils, passed through the nasopharynx, and out through the patient'"'"'s mouth. As the catheters are withdrawn from the nostrils, the pack is directed into position in the nasopharynx partially surrounding the posterior edge of the septum. The attached tubes are connected to a source of fluid pressure, and the bags are inflated to expand the pack and apply hemostatic pressure to substantially all surfaces in the posterior portion of the nasal cavity.

Claims

1. A posterior nasal pack device adapted to be inserted through the mouth and oropharynx of a patient into the nasopharynx partially surrounding the posterior portion of the septum and thereafter expanded to apply hemostatic pressure to arrest posterior nasal hemorrhaging comprising;

an expandable, foamed elastomer pack molded to conform generally to the surfaces of the walls of both sides of the posterior portion of the nasal cavity, the anterior wall of said pack having a U-shaped channel adapted to partially surround the posterior end of the septum with the respective ends of said U-shaped channel extending into opposite sides of the nasal cavity prior to expansion, the interior of said elastomer pack containing two adjoining hollow, fluid impermeable chambers sharing a common wall,

tube means attached to the anterior wall of said elastomer pack said tube means comprising a first and second hollow, flexible tube, each of said first and second tubes in fluid communication with a respective hollow chamber, and

string means attached to said elastomer pack of sufficient length to traverse the distance between the nasopharynx and the mouth to aid in removal of the nasal pack.

2. A posterior nasal pack device adapted to be inserted into the nasopharynx partially surrounding the posterior portion of the septum and thereafter expanded to apply hemostatic pressure to arrest posterior nasal hermorrhaging comprising,

a first and second hollow expandable bag, each having a generally rectangular cross-section along a vertical section, said first bag having a common wall with said second bag along at least a portion of their interior side walls, the remaining portion of the respective interior side walls forming a U-shaped channel adapted to partially surround the posterior end of the septum,

an expandable foamed elastomeric material adhered to all exterior surfaces of said bags and molded to conform generally to the surfaces of the walls of the nasal cavity,

a first and second hollow, flexible tube, said first and second tubes attached to a respective anterior wall of said first and second expansible bags and in fluid communication with the interior of each of the respective bags, and

a string attached to one of said expansible bags of sufficient length to traverse the distance between the nasopharynx and the mouth to aid in removal of said nasal pack.

3. The nasal pack of claim 2 in which the bottom and posterior walls of said first and second bags have a thicker cross-section than the upper and anterior walls.

4. The nasal pack of claim 3 in which said first and second bags are expansible upwardly, forwardly, and outwardly upon the internal application of pressurized fluid.

5. The nasal pack of claim 2 in which said foamed elastomeric material is coated with a lubricant.

6. The nasal pack of claim 2 in which said foamed elastomeric material is coated with an antibiotic.