Patient ventilating apparatus with modular components

• US 5,645,048 A
• Filed: 07/05/1994
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Kendall Company (Colgate-Palmolive Company)
• Original Assignee: The Kendall Company (Colgate-Palmolive Company)
• Inventors: Olsen, Harry O., Brodsky, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, Vincent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deane, Jr., William J.
• Application Number:
  US08/270,254
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.14, 128/207.27, 128/911, 128/912, 604/171, 604/283, 604/905
• US Class Current: 128/202.27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0465 Tracheostomy tubes; Devices for performing a tracheostomy; Accessories therefor, e.g. masks, filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0841 for sampling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

Abstract

An apparatus for ventilating and aspirating the respiratory system of a patient, the apparatus having a patient module, a disposable center module, and a vacuum module. The patient module includes tubular connecting means connectable to a supply of air and to the trachea of the patient for involuntarily supplying air to and withdrawing air from the lungs of the patient. The center module includes a first end element connected to the patient module, a second end element, an elongated flexible tubular catheter element permanently connected to the second end element and extending slidably and sealingly through the first end element, and an elongated, collapsible, tubular plastic sleeve connected to the first and second end elements and extending therebetween around the catheter element. The vacuum module is connected to the second end element and adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for applying vacuum to the catheter element. The vacuum module includes means for controlling the application of vacuum to the catheter element. The first end element is releasably connected to the patient module and the second end element is releasably connected to the vacuum module. The first and second end elements are also connectable one with the other to coact with the sleeve in enclosing and isolating the catheter from the surrounding environment.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for ventilating and aspirating the respiratory system of a patient, said apparatus having a patient module including tubular connecting means connectable to a supply of air and to the trachea of the patient for involuntarily supplying air to and withdrawing air from the lungs of the patient;

a center module including a first end element connected to said patient module, a second end element, an elongated flexible tubular catheter element permanently connected to said second end element and extending slidably and sealingly through said first end element, and an elongated, collapsible, tubular plastic sleeve connected to said first and second end elements and extending therebetween around said catheter element; and

a vacuum module connected to said second end element and adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum for applying vacuum to said catheter element, said vacuum module including means for controlling the application of vacuum to said catheter element, the improvement comprising said first end element being releasably connected to said patient module and said second end element being releasably connected to said vacuum module, said first and second end elements also being connectable one with the other to coact with said sleeve in enclosing and isolating said catheter from the surrounding environment.

2. In the apparatus of claim 1, one of said patient module and said first end element including a tapered male friction-fit connector element, the other one of said patient module and said first end element including a tapered female friction-fit connector element, said tapered male friction-fit connector element being releasably receivable in frictional engagement in said tapered female friction-fit connector element for releasably securing said patient module to said center module.

3. In the apparatus of claim 1, one of said vacuum module and said second end element including a tapered male friction-fit connector element, the other one of said vacuum module and said second end element including a tapered female friction-fit connector element, said tapered male friction-fit connector element being releasably receivable in frictional engagement in said tapered female friction-fit connector element for releasably securing said vacuum module to said center module.

4. In the apparatus of claim 1, said second end element including catheter receiving means for receiving the distal end of said catheter element.

5. An apparatus for ventilating and aspirating the respiratory system of a patient, said apparatus comprising:

a patient module including tubular connecting means for connecting a source of air to the trachea of a patient, catheter receiving means for slidably receiving a catheter, and tapered connecting means for releasably connecting to a tapered connector;

a vacuum module including vacuum connecting means for connecting said vacuum module to a source of vacuum, and tapered connecting means for releasably connecting to a tapered connector; and

a disposable center module including a distal end element including a tapered connector and being adapted for releasable connection to said tapered connecting means of said patient module, a proximal end element including a tapered connector and being adapted for releasable connection to said tapered connecting means of said vacuum module, said tapered connectors of each of said proximal and distal ends also being connectable one with the other, an elongated flexible tubular catheter attached to said proximal end element and slidably and sealingly receivable through said distal end element and receivable by said catheter receiving means of said patient module, and an elongated collapsible sleeve connected to both of said proximal and distal end elements and enclosing said catheter element between said proximal and distal end elements.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said tapered connector on said distal end of said center module includes a tapered male portion, and said tapered connector on said proximal end includes a tapered female portion.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said proximal end element includes catheter securing means for securing the distal end of said catheter within said proximal end element.