Tracheostomy tube holder and associated tube holding method

• US 5,529,062 A
• Filed: 05/02/1995
• Issued: 06/25/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Susan F. Johnston
• Original Assignee: Timothy N. Byrd
• Inventors: Byrd, Timothy N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SRIVASTAVA, VIRENDRA KUMAR
• Application Number:
  US08/433,234
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.26, 128/207.14, 128/207.16, 128/207.17, 128/911, 128/912, 128/DIG. 23, 128/DIG. 26, 606/155, 606/156, 604/171, 604/174, 604/177, 604/178, 604/179, 604/188
• US Class Current: 128/207.17
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0465 Tracheostomy tubes; Devices for performing a tracheostomy; Accessories therefor, e.g. masks, filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0497 Tube stabilizer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0213 where the catheter is attached by means specifically adapted to a part of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0253 where the catheter is attached by straps, bands or the like secured by adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/026 where the straps are releasably secured, e.g. by hook and loop-type fastening devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters

Abstract

A tracheostomy tube holder for being received about a patient for maintaining the position of a tracheostomy tube and an associated tube holding method. The tracheostomy tube holder (10) includes first and second tube engaging assemblies (14, 16) for engaging the tracheostomy tube (11). Each of the tube engaging assemblies (14, 16) has a first foundation strap (24) defining an outer bonding surface (30) proximate its distal end portion, and carries a tube engaging strap (36) for engaging the tracheostomy tube (11), with the tube engaging strap (36) having a distal end portion for being positioned on the first bonding surface (30). Each of the tube engaging assemblies (14, 16) further includes a locking strap (36) having a proximal end secured to the foundation strap (24) and defining an inner adhesive surface (44) for releasably engaging both the distal end portion of the tube engaging strap (36) and the outer bonding surface (30) of the foundation strap (24) .

Claims

1. A tracheostomy tube holder for maintaining the position of a tracheostomy tube having a flange with first and second openings, said tube holder comprising:

a foundation body for being received about the neck of a patient, said foundation body defining a securing strap portion and oppositely disposed first and second foundation strap portions, each said first and second foundation strap portion defining a distal end portion and a bonding surface;

a first tube engaging assembly for engaging the tracheostomy tube, said first tube engaging assembly including a first tube engaging strap for being received through said first opening in the tracheostomy tube flange and having a distal end portion for being positioned on said bonding surface of said first foundation strap portion, said first tube engaging assembly further including a first locking strap defining an inner adhesive surface for releasably engaging said distal end portion of said first tube engaging strap and said bonding surface of said first foundation strap portion, whereby said distal end portion of said first tube engaging strap is releasably secured between said first foundation strap portion and said first locking strap, thereby securing said first tube engaging assembly to said tracheostomy tube; and

a second tube engaging assembly for engaging the tracheostomy tube, said second tube engaging assembly including a second tube engaging strap for being received through said second opening in the tracheostomy tube flange and having a distal end portion for being positioned on said bonding surface of said second foundation strap portion, said second tube engaging assembly further including a second locking strap defining an inner adhesive surface for releasably engaging said distal end portion of said second tube engaging strap and said bonding surface of said second foundation strap portion, whereby said distal end portion of said second tube engaging strap is releasably secured between said second foundation strap portion and said second locking strap, thereby securing said second tube engaging assembly to said tracheostomy tube.

2. The tracheostomy tube holder of claim 1 wherein said bonding surfaces of said first and second foundation strap portions define smooth, substantially non-porous surfaces.

3. The tracheostomy tube holder of claim 1 wherein said first tube engaging strap is provided with a smooth, substantially non-porous bonding surface for engaging said inner adhesive surface of said first locking strap, and wherein said second tube engaging strap is provided with a smooth, substantially non-porous bonding surface for engaging said inner adhesive surface of said second locking strap, whereby the releasable engagement of said first and second locking straps with said distal end portions of said first and second tube engaging straps, respectively, is facilitated.

4. The tracheostomy tube holder of claim 1 wherein said first tube engaging strap defines a slot for receiving therethrough the distal end portion of said first tube engaging strap after said distal end portion of said first tube engaging strap has been received through said first opening in the tracheostomy tube flange, and wherein said second tube engaging strap defines a further slot for receiving therethrough said distal end portion of said second tube engaging strap after said distal end portion of said second tube engaging strap has been received through said second opening in the tracheostomy tube flange.

5. The tracheostomy tube holder of claim 1 wherein each said first and second tube engaging strap defines a proximal end portion and said proximal end portion of said first tube engaging strap carries a stop member whereby said distal end portion of said first tube engaging strap is received through said first opening in the tracheostomy tube flange and said stop member engages the tracheostomy tube flange and prohibits said proximal end portion from being received through the first opening, and wherein said proximal end portion of said second tube engaging strap carries a further stop member whereby said distal end portion of said second tube engaging strap is received through said second opening in the tracheostomy tube flange and said stop member engages the tracheostomy tube flange and prohibits said proximal end portion of said second tube engaging strap from being received through the second opening.

6. A method for securing the position of a tracheostomy tube having a flange with first and second openings as the tracheostomy tube is received in the trachea of a patient, said method utilizing a tracheostomy tube holder having a foundation body for being received about the neck of a patient, the foundation body defining first and second oppositely disposed foundation strap portions, the tube holder further including first and second tube engaging straps and first and second locking straps, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting the first tube engaging strap through said first opening in the tracheostomy tube flange;

positioning a distal end portion of the first tube engaging strap on a first bonding surface provided on the first foundation strap portion;

securing an inner adhesive surface of the first locking strap to the first bonding surface whereby the distal end portion of the first tube engaging strap is releasably secured between the first foundation strap portion and the first locking strap;

inserting the second tube engaging strap through said second opening in the tracheostomy tube flange;

positioning a distal end portion of the second tube engaging strap on a second bonding surface provided on the second foundation strap portion; and

securing an inner adhesive surface of the second locking strap to the distal end portion of the second tube engaging strap and to the second bonding surface whereby the distal end portion of the second tube engaging strap is releasably secured between the second foundation strap and the second locking strap.

7. A tracheostomy tube holder for maintaining the position of a tracheostomy tube having a flange with first and second openings, said tube holder comprising:

a foundation body for being received about the neck of a patient, said foundation body defining a securing strap portion and oppositely disposed first and second foundation strap portions, each said first and second foundation strap portion defining a distal end portion;

a first tube engaging assembly for engaging the tracheostomy tube, said first tube engaging assembly including a first tube engaging strap for being received through the first opening in the tracheostomy tube flange and having a distal end portion for being positioned on said distal end portion of said first foundation strap portion, said first tube engaging assembly further including a first locking strap for releasably engaging said distal end portion of said first tube engaging strap and said distal end portion of said first foundation strap portion and including a first adhesive means for adhesively bonding said distal end portion of said first tube engaging strap between said first foundation strap portion and said first locking strap, thereby securing said first tube engaging assembly to said tracheostomy tube; and

a second tube engaging assembly for engaging the tracheostomy tube, said second tube engaging assembly including a second tube engaging strap for being received through the second opening in the tracheostomy tube flange and having a distal end portion for being positioned on said distal end portion of said second foundation strap portion, said second tube engaging assembly further including a second locking strap for releasably engaging said distal end portion of said second tube engaging strap and said distal end portion of said second foundation strap portion and including a second adhesive means for adhesively bonding said distal end portion of said second tube engaging strap between said second foundation strap portion and said second locking strap, thereby securing said second tube engaging assembly to said tracheostomy tube.

8. The tracheostomy tube holder of claim 7 wherein said first adhesive means includes an adhesive surface portion provide on an inner surface of said first locking strap, and wherein said second adhesive means includes an adhesive surface portion provide on an inner surface of said second locking strap.

9. A method for securing the position of a tracheostomy tube having a flange with first and second openings as the tracheostomy tube is received in the trachea of a patient, said method utilizing a tracheostomy tube holder having a foundation body for being received about the neck of a patient, the foundation body defining first and second oppositely disposed foundation strap portions, the tube holder further including first and second tube engaging straps and first and second locking straps, said method comprising the steps of:

inserting the first tube engaging strap through the first opening in the tracheostomy tube flange;

positioning a distal end portion of the first tube engaging strap on the first foundation strap portion;

adhesively securing an inner surface of the first locking strap to the first foundation strap portion with the first tube engaging strap positioned therebetween, whereby the distal end portion of the first tube engaging strap is releasably secured between the first foundation strap portion and the first locking strap;

inserting the second tube engaging strap through the second opening in the tracheostomy tube flange;

positioning a distal end portion of the second tube engaging strap on the second foundation strap portion; and

adhesively securing an inner surface of the second locking strap to the second foundation strap portion with the distal end portion of the second tube engaging strap positioned therebetween, whereby the distal end portion of the second tube engaging strap is releasably secured between the second foundation strap and the second locking strap.