Ventilation tube swivel

• US 4,676,241 A
• Filed: 01/21/1986
• Issued: 06/30/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Original Assignee: WLG Technology
• Inventors: L'Hommedieu, Charles S., Webb, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reichle, Karin M.
• Application Number:
  US06/820,684
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/207.17, 128/207.18, 128/910, 128/912, 128/204.18, 64/280, 64/283, 64/284, 285/163, 285/168, 285/181, 285/184, 285/272
• US Class Current: 128/207.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0461 Nasoendotracheal tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

Abstract

A connector swivel for connecting between a supply tube and an endotracheal tube accommodates movement of the patient. The swivel connector has an angled central member, with the axes of its ends intersecting each other at an obtuse angle. The central member has end pieces rotatably connected to each end. One of the end pieces is also angled, with its axes intersecting at an obtuse angle. The other end piece is straight and cylindrical.

Claims

1. In a ventilation system of the type having an insert tube adapted for insertion into a breathing passage in a patient, a supply tube adapter of a type having one proximal and two distal tubular ends in fluid communication with each other, one of the distal ends being adapted to be connected to a source of gas, another of the distal ends being adapted to be connected to an exhaust hose, an improved connection means adapted to be releasably connected between the insert tube and the proximal end of the supply tube adapter, comprising in combination:

an angled tubular central member having a passage therethrough for the passage of gas, the central member having two tubular ends, each of which has a central axis, said central axes intersecting with each other at an obtuse angle;

a first tubular end piece having a passage therethrough for the passage of gas and only two tubular ends, the first tubular end piece having one of its tubular ends rotatably connected to one end of the central member for the passage of gas therebetween and the other of its tubular ends having means for releasable and frictional joining to the insert tube for the passage of gas therebetween, each end of the first tubular end piece having a central axis, said central axes in the first tubular end piece intersecting each other at an obtuse angle; and

a second tubular end piece having a passage therethrough for the passage of gas, the second tubular end piece having one tubular end rotatably connected to the other end of the central member for the passage of gas therethrough and another tubular end having means for releasable and frictional joining to the proximal end of the supply tube adapter for the passage of gas therebetween;

the connection of the end pieces to the central member and the end pieces to the insert tube and supply tube adapter providing a continuous passage for the transmission of gas;

the rotatable connections of the tubular end pieces with the central member along with the intersecting central axes of the angled central member accommodating relative movement between the patient and insert tube and the supply tube adapter.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the second end piece is a straight cylindrical tubular member.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the sum of the two obtuse angles is substantially 270 degrees.

4. A ventilation tube system for a patient, comprising in combination:

an insert tube adapted to be inserted into a breathing passage of the patient;

a supply tube adapter having a proximal tubular end and two tubular distal ends in fluid communication with each other, one of the distal ends being adapted to be connected to a source of gas for supplying gas to the patient, the other of the distal ends being adapted to be connected to an exhaust hose for exhausting gas from the patient;

an angled tubular central member having a passage therethrough for the passage of gas, the central member having proximal and distal tubular ends, each of which has a central axis, said central axes intersecting with each other at an angle that is substantially 135 degrees;

a first tubular end piece having a passage therethrough for the passage of gas, the first end piece having only two tubular ends, one of the tubular ends being a distal tubular end which is inserted within and rotatably connected to the proximal end of the central member for the passage of gas therethrough, the other tubular end of the first end piece being a female tubular proximal end that receives therein in frictional contact one end of the insert tube for the passage of gas therethrough, each tubular end of the first end piece having a central axis, said central axes in the first end piece intersecting each other at an angle that is substantially 135 degrees, with the central axis of the distal end of the first end piece being coaxial with the central axis of the proximal end of the central member;

a second tubular end piece having a passage therethrough for the passage of gas, the second end piece having a proximal tubular end which is inserted within and rotatably connected to the distal end of the central member for the passage of gas therethrough the second end piece having a distal male tubular end which is inserted within and frictionally received by the proximal end of the supply tube adapter;

the second tubular end piece having a straight cylindrical configuration with a central axis that is coaxial with the central axis of the distal end of the central member;

the connection of the insert tube with the first end piece, the first end piece with the central member, the central member with the second end piece, and the second end piece with the supply tube adapter, providing a continuous passage for gas to and from the patient;

the rotatable connections and the angles of the first end piece and the central member allowing the distal end of the second end piece to rotate in a conical path with the apex of the cone at the intersection of the central axis of the second end piece with the central axis of the proximal end of the central member, the conical path defining one position wherein the central axis of the second end piece is perpendicular to the central axis of the proximal end of the first end piece, and another position wherein the central axis of the first end piece is parallel to the central axis of the proximal end of the first end piece, to accommodate relative movement between the patient and insert tube and supply tube adapter.