Airway indicator device

• US 5,620,004 A
• Filed: 10/23/1995
• Issued: 04/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aaron Johansen
• Original Assignee: Aaron Johansen
• Inventors: Johansen, Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Sykes, Angela D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUANG, STEPHEN D
• Application Number:
  US08/546,669
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 128/202.22, 128/207.15, 128/716, 128/721, 128/725-728, 128/730, 128/670, 128/773, 128/911, 604/100
• US Class Current: 600/529
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0006 with means for creating vibrations in patients' airways
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0084 self-reinflatable by elasticity, e.g. resuscitation squeeze bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0411 with means for differentiating between oesophageal and tracheal intubation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback

Abstract

An indicator device for verifying the correct placement of an endotracheal tube within an intubated patient'"'"'s airway and for detecting the presence of a collapsed lung in an intubated patient. The device has an open proximal end and open distal end and an air conducting lumen therebetween. The distal end is attached to the non-invasive end of an endotracheal tube. The proximal end is attached to a ventilating apparatus or "ambubug." A vibrating element mounted within the device produces an audible vibration either actively in response to an electrical driver, or passively in response to air flowing through the device. As the ambubag is squeezed, air is forced through the air conducting lumen and into the intubated patient'"'"'s airway. An audible sound produced by the vibrating element is mechanically coupled into the air conducting lumen and conducted through the patient'"'"'s airway. A stethoscope placed upon the chest adjacent to the lungs of the intubated patient readily detects the audible sound thereby verifying airway patency and the correct positioning of the tube within the patients airway. Alternatively, an electrical driver may be used for controlling the vibrating element. The device can be used to detect a hemothorax or a pneumothorax in an intubated patient by measuring and comparing the attenuation or amplification of the audible sound transmitted to various positions on the chest. A preferred embodiment of the device includes a syringe-receiving port for attaching an aspirating syringe to the air conducting lumen. The syringe provides means for additional confirmation of a patent airway and/or for the delivery of medicament to the intubated patient.

Claims

1. A method for determining a presence of an impaired lung within an intubated patient comprising the steps of:

(a) inserting an endotracheal tube into the patient'"'"'s airway;

(b) presenting a sound generator operable for generating an audible sound;

(c) attaching a means for vibrationally coupling the audible sound generated by the sound generator into the patient'"'"'s airway to the endotracheal tube;

(d) activating the sound generator thereby causing production of an audible sound; and

(e) measuring intensity of the audible sound conducted to the chest wall, the intensity of the sound providing a measure of the impairment.

2. An indicator device adapted for incorporation within an adjuctive airway and disposed between a gas ventilating apparatus with a distal end and an endotracheal tube, and for use with a syringe, the endotracheal tube having a distal end inserted within a patient'"'"'s airway and a proximal end extending out of the patient'"'"'s airway, wherein the indicator device comprises:

a body portion with distal and proximal ends joined by an air conducting lumen therebetween, said distal end of said device having means thereon for air tight connection to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube, said proximal end of said device having means thereon for air tight connection to the distal end of the gas ventilating apparatus;

an aspirator lumen which connects at a first end with said air conducting lumen and which has a syringe attachment means at a second end; and

a stopcock disposed in said air conducting lumen between said proximal end of said body portion and an intersecting point of said aspirator lumen and said air conducting lumen for accurately determining proper intubation of the trachea.

3. The indicator device of claim 2 further comprising a vibrating element disposed within said body portion, at least a portion of said vibrating element being in vibrational communication with said air conducting lumen.

4. The indicator device of claim 3 wherein said vibrating element is selected from one of a pneumatically responsive device and an electrically driven audible sound generating device.

5. A device for use in combination with an endotracheal tube, a gas ventilating device, and a syringe, said device adapted for verifying the correct placement of an endotracheal tube within an intubated animal'"'"'s airway and for detecting the presence of a collapsed lung, the device comprising:

a generally tubular body portion with an open proximal end and an open distal end traversed by an air conducting lumen, said proximal end having connection means thereon operable for forming an air tight connection with the endotracheal tube, said distal end having connection means thereon operable for forming an air tight connection with the gas ventilating device;

an aspirator lumen which connects at a first end with said air conducting lumen and which has a syringe attachment means at a second end adapted to connect to a syringe;

a stopcock disposed in said air conducting lumen between said proximal end of said body portion and an intersecting point of said aspirator lumen and said air conducting lumen; and

a vibrating element disposed within said device, at least a potion of said vibrating element being in vibrational communication with said air conducting lumen for accurately determining proper intubation of the trachea.

6. The indicator device of claim 5 wherein said vibrating element is selected from one of a pneumatically responsive device and an electrically driven audible sound generating device.