Fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway for drainage

• US 5,664,567 A
• Filed: 07/16/1996
• Issued: 09/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technology Holding Company II (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gerald S. Linder
• Inventors: Linder, Gerald S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US08/682,921
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/200.26, 128/207.14, 128/207.18, 128/911, 128/912, 128/DIG. 26, 604/93, 604/94, 604/175, 604/264, 604/280, 604/282, 604/327, 604/328, 604/355, 606/108, 606/199
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0477 with incorporated means for delivering or removing fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/911 Unilimb inhalation-exhalation breathing tubes

Abstract

A fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway providing fluid flow and pressure release from sinus ostia and the like. A fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway has lateral fenestrations along the central third of the nasopharyngeal tube. The fenestrations are generally two to three inches long and may be divided by separators into three sections to preserve stiffness and to hold open the fenestrations. Fluids produced by adjacent sinus ostia and the like may migrate into the lumen of the nasopharyngeal tube through the lateral fenestrations. Fluid collection is avoided, and fluid pressure arising from such fluid accumulation is relieved. Such fluids generally travel to the open distal end of the nasopharyngeal airway where it may be collected or otherwise disposed of by the body or health-care attendants. Additionally, probes and other diagnostic instruments may pass through the nasopharyngeal airway which protects the adjoining nasal mucosa. As fluid migration is allowed by the present invention, the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway may be used on a long-term basis without threatening the patient'"'"'s health.

Claims

1. A fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway for passive drainage of secreted fluids, comprising:

a tube, said tube comprising hypoallergenic material and defining a lumen, said tube having an open proximal end separated by a predetermined length from an open distal end, said tube adapted to extend from the nares tip of a patient and terminating adjacent an oropharynx of the patient when said tube is completely inserted into the nasal passage of the patient, at least one portion of said tube being generally adjacent fluid-secreting tissue of the patient; and

said tube defining a plurality of parallel slit fenestrations adjacent said tissue and allowing fluid secreted by said tissue to travel into said lumen, said fenestrations being present about approximately one half of the circumference of said tube and extending along a portion of said tube traversing a central portion of an adjacent nasal cavity, said parallel slits being one millimeter (1 mm) wide and being separated by at least one millimeter (1 mm), said parallel slits being parallel to a midline of the patient, said parallel slits being divided by separators maintaining said parallel slits in an open condition, said separators maintaining stiffness and wall integrity of the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway;

whereby

pressure normally arising due to fluids secreted by the tissue of the patient is relieved by fluid travel into said lumen, preventing fluid collection, headaches, and infection;

the shape of said parallel slit fenestrations preventing trauma to the nasal mucosa of the patient when the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway is inserted into the patient'"'"'s nasal passage; and

said hypoallergenic material preventing allergic reaction and anaphylaxis by said patient to the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway.

2. A fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway for passive drainage of secreted fluids, comprising:

a tube, said tube defining a lumen having an open proximal end separated by a predetermined length from an open distal end, said tube, adapted to be inserted into the nasal passageway of a patient and to extend from the nares tip of the patient to at least adjacent the oropharynx of the patient when said tube is completely inserted into a nasal passage of the patient, at least one portion of said tube being adjacent a fluid-secreting ostium of the patient; and

said tube defining a first normally open fenestration adjacent the ostium of the patient allowing fluids secreted by the ostium of the patient to travel into said lumen, there being a plurality of normally open fenestrations in side-by-side relationship wherein said fenestrations are of the same geometrical shape encircling approximately one half the circumference of said tube and extending along a portion of said tube traversing a central portion of an adjacent nasal cavity of the patient, said plurality of fenestrations comprising spaced parallel slits wherein said slits are about one millimeter (1 mm) wide and wherein said parallel slits are separated by at least one millimeter (1 mm) of the tube material and are divided by separators maintaining said parallel slits in an open condition, said separators maintaining stiffness and wall integrity of the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway.

3. A method for draining fluids and relieving accompanying pressure in a patient intubated with a nasopharyngeal airway the steps comprising:

providing a nasopharyngeal airway having normally opened fenestrations and being of a size adapted to the inserted into the nasal passageway of the patient;

intubating the patient with the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway; and

allowing fluids to migrate into said fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway through said fenestrations in said fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway;

wherein

said tube comprises hypoallergenic material and defines a lumen, said tube having an open proximal end separated by predetermined length from an open distal end, said tube extending from the nares tip of a patient and terminating adjacent in oropharynx of a patient when said tube is completely inserted into a nasal passageway of a patient, at least one portion of said tube being generally adjacent fluid-secreting tissue of the patient and wherein said tube defines a plurality of parallel slit fenestrations adjacent the patient'"'"'s tissue and allows fluids secreted by the patient'"'"'s tissue to travel into said lumen, said fenestrations being present about approximately one half of the circumference of said tube and extending along a portion of said tube traversing a central portion of an adjacent nasal cavity, said parallel slits being about one millimeter (1 mm) wide and being separated by at least one millimeter (1 mm) of material of said tube, said parallel slits being parallel to a midline of the patient and being divided by separators maintaining said parallel slits in an open condition, said separators maintaining stiffness and wall integrity of the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway, the shape of said parallel slit fenestrations preventing trauma to the nasal mucosa of the patient when the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway is inserted into the patient'"'"'s nasal passage and said tube further being of hypoallergenic material thereby preventing allergic reaction and anaphylaxis of the patient to the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway, whereby

pressure normally arising due to fluids secreted by the patient'"'"'s tissue is headaches and infections relieved by the fluid travelling into said lumen thereby preventing fluid collection.

4. A fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway for passive drainage of secreted fluids, comprising:

a tube, said tube defining a lumen and having an open proximal end separated by a predetermined length from an open distal end, said tube adapted to be inserted into the nasal passageway of a patient and to extend from a nares tip of the patient and terminating adjacent an oropharynx of the patient when said tube is completely inserted into a nasal passage of the patient, at least one portion of said tube being adjacent a fluid-secreting ostium of the patient; and

said tube defining normally open fenestrations adjacent the ostium, said normally open fenestrations allowing fluid secreted by the ostium of the patient to travel into said lumen, said fenestrations being parallel slits and being one millimeter (1 mm) wide and being present about approximately one half the circumference of said robe and extending along a portion of said tube traversing a central portion of an adjacent nasal cavity;

said parallel slits further being defined as separated by at least one millimeter (1 mm) and being divided by separators maintaining said parallel slits in an open condition, said separators maintaining stiffness and wall integrity of the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway;

whereby

pressure normally arising due to said fluids secreted by the ostium of the patient being relieved by fluid travel into said lumen, thereby preventing fluid collection, headaches, and infection, and trauma to the nasal mucosa of the patient when the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway is inserted into said nasal passage.

5. A fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway for passive drainage of secreted fluids, comprising:

a tube, said tube defining a lumen and having an open proximal end separated by a predetermined length from an open distal end, said tube adapted to be inserted into the nasal passageway of a patient and to extend from a nares tip of the patient and terminating adjacent an oropharynx of the patient when said tube is completely inserted into a nasal passage of the patient, at least one portion of said tube being adjacent a fluid-secreting ostium of the patient; and

said tube defining normally open fenestrations adjacent the ostium, said normally open fenestrations allowing fluid secreted by the ostium of the patient to travel into said lumen, said fenestrations being parallel slits which are parallel to a midline of the patient and being one millimeter (1 mm) wide and being present about approximately one half the circumference of said tube and extending along a portion of said tube traversing a central portion of an adjacent nasal cavity;

said parallel slits further being defined as separated by at least one millimeter (1 mm) and being divided by separators maintaining said parallel slits in an open condition, said separators maintaining stiffness and wall integrity of the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway;

whereby

pressure normally arising due to said fluids secreted by the ostium of the patient being relieved by fluid travel into said lumen, thereby preventing fluid collection, headaches, and infection, and trauma to the nasal mucosa of the patient when the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway is inserted into said nasal passage.

6. A fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway for passive drainage of secreted fluids, comprising:

a tube, said tube comprises hypoallergenic material and defining a lumen and having an open proximal end separated by a predetermined length from an open distal end, said tube adapted to be inserted into the nasal passageway of a patient and to extend from a nares tip of the patient and terminating adjacent an oropharynx of the patient when said tube is completely inserted into a nasal passage of the patient, at least one portion of said tube being adjacent a fluid-secreting ostium of the patient; and

said tube defining normally open fenestrations adjacent the ostium, said normally open fenestrations allowing fluid secreted by the ostium of the patient to travel into said lumen, said fenestrations being parallel slits and being one millimeter (1 mm) wide and being present about approximately one half the circumference of said tube and extending along a portion of said tube traversing a central portion of an adjacent nasal cavity;

said parallel slits further being defined as separated by at least one millimeter (1 mm) and being divided by separators maintaining said parallel slits in an open condition, said separators maintaining stiffness and wall integrity of the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway;

whereby

pressure normally arising due to said fluids secreted by the ostium of the patient being relieved by fluid travel into said lumen, thereby preventing fluid collection, headaches, and infection, and trauma to the nasal mucosa of the patient when the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway is inserted into said nasal passage and

allergic reaction and anaphylaxis to the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway by the patient is prevented.

7. A method for draining fluids and relieving accompanying pressure in a patient intubated with a nasopharyngeal airway, the steps comprising:

a. providing a nasopharyngeal airway having normally open fenestrations and of a size adapted to be inserted into the nasal passageway of the patient; and

said nasopharyngeal airway further comprising;

a tube, said tube comprising hypoallergenic material and defining a lumen said tube having an open proximal end separated by a predetermined length from an open distal end, said tube extending from the nares tip and terminating adjacent an oropharynx of the patient when said tube is completely inserted into a nasal passage of the patient, at least one portion of said tube being generally adjacent fluid-secreting tissue of the patient; and

said tube defining a plurality of parallel slit fenestrations adjacent the patient'"'"'s tissue and allowing fluid secreted by the patient'"'"'s tissue to travel into said lumen, said fenestrations being present about approximately one half of the circumference of said tube and extending along a portion of said tube traversing a central portion of an adjacent nasal cavity, said parallel slits being one millimeter (1 mm) wide and being separated by at least one millimeter (1 mm), said parallel slits being parallel to a midline of the patient, said parallel slits being divided by separators maintaining said parallel slits in an open condition, said separators maintaining stiffness and wall integrity of the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway;

whereby

pressure normally arising due to fluids secreted by the patient'"'"'s tissue is relieved by fluid travel into said lumen, preventing fluid collection, headaches, and infection;

the shape of said parallel slit fenestrations preventing trauma to the nasal mucosa of the patient when the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway is inserted into the patient'"'"'s nasal passage; and

said hypoallergenic material preventing allergic reaction and anaphylaxis by the patient to the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway;

b. intubating the patient with the fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway; and

allowing the fluids to migrate into said fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway through the fenestrations present in said fenestrated nasopharyngeal airway.