Endotracheal tube stabilizer

• US 5,806,516 A
• Filed: 03/27/1997
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kathy Beattie
• Original Assignee: Kathy Beattie
• Inventors: Beattie, Kathy
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deane, Jr., William J.
• Application Number:
  US08/826,242
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.18, 128/205.11, 128/207.14, 128/207.18, 128/207.17, 128/206.25, 128/200.26, 128/DIG. 26, 128/911, 128/912
• US Class Current: 128/207.17
• 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 16/0493 with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0497 Tube stabilizer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/022 specifically adapted for the mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/024 having a clip or clamp system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/26 Cannula supporters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/911 Unilimb inhalation-exhalation breathing tubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

Abstract

An endotracheal tube stabilizer includes an elongate frame having a transverse tube channel with an opening sized to radially receive an endotracheal tube. Straps are provided for securing the frame to the head of a patient with the frame bridging and the tube adjacent to the patient'"'"'s mouth. A clamp has a body and a distal foot. The clamp body is attached to the frame with the distal foot traveling in a arcuate path relative to the frame from an open position remote from the opening of the transverse tube channel to a select operative position blocking the opening of the tube channel. In this manner, with an endotracheal tube received in the channel, the distal foot, when in an operative position, clamps the endotracheal tube in fixed position relative to the frame within the slot.

Claims

1. An endotracheal tube stabilizer comprising:

an elongate frame having a transverse tube channel with an opening sized to radially receive an endotracheal tube;

means for securing the elongate frame to the head of a patient with the elongate frame bridging and the tube channel adjacent to the patient'"'"'s mouth; and

a clamp having a body and a distal foot, the clamp body being attached to the elongate frame with the distal foot traveling in an arcuate path relative to the elongate frame from an open position remote from the opening of the transverse tube channel to a select operative position blocking the opening of the tube channel, whereby with an endotracheal tube received in the channel the distal foot, in the operative position, clamps the endotracheal tube in a fixed position relative to the elongate frame within the tube channel.

2. The endotracheal tube stabilizer of claim 1 wherein the elongate frame further comprises a pair of apertures on opposite sides of the tube channel, whereby, with the elongate frame secured to the head of a patient, a clinician can access the mouth of the patient from opposite sides of the tube channel.

3. The endotracheal tube stabilizer of claim 1 wherein the elongate frame has a lengthwise concave contour.

4. The endotracheal tube stabilizer of claim 1 further comprising an arcuate wall extending lengthwise essentially normally from the elongate frame about the tube channel periphery defining a protective jacket for an endotracheal tube received in the tube channel.

5. The endotracheal tube stabilizer of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of runners extending lengthwise of and inwardly from the wall.

6. The endotracheal tube stabilizer of claim 1 further comprising an arcuate track attached to the elongate frame with the clamp body slidably engaging the arcuate track.

7. The endotracheal tube of claim 6 further comprising serrations on a surface of the arcuate track and a blade extending from the clamp body biased to an extended position in operative engagement with the serrations to secure the clamp body against movement along the arcuate track, the blade being retractable to a retracted position out of engagement with the serrations to enable free movement of the clamp body along the arcuate track.

8. The endotracheal tube stabilizer of claim 7 wherein the serrations are inclined to allow free movement of the clamp body toward the mouth of the tube channel with the blade in the extended position while preventing movement of the clamp body away from the mouth with the blade in the extended position.

9. The endotracheal tube stabilizer of claim 6 further comprising a lever extending from the elongate frame spaced from the arcuate track, the lever being disposed so that a clinician can engage the lever and clamp body between a finger and thumb of one hand and slide the clamp body toward the lever.

10. The endotracheal tube stabilizer of claim 6 wherein the arcuate track is elevated relative to the elongate frame.

11. An endotracheal tube stabilizer comprising:

an elongate frame having a transverse tube channel with an opening sized to radially receive an endotracheal tube and an elongate track attached to the elongate frame proximate the tube channel;

means for securing the elongate frame to the head of a patient with the elongate frame bridging and the tube channel adjacent to the patient'"'"'s mouth;

a clamp having a body and a distal foot, the clamp body slidably engaging the elongate track and being freely slidable in a direction from an open position with the foot remote from the opening of the tube channel toward an operative position with the foot blocking the opening of the tube channel; and

locking means between the track and the clamp body for preventing slidable movement of the clamp body in a direction from the operative position toward the open position without manual actuation.

12. The endotracheal tube stabilizer of claim 11 wherein the locking means comprises serrations on a surface of the elongate track and a blade extending from the clamp body, the blade being biased to an extended position in operative engagement with the serrations to lock the clamp body against movement in a direction from the operative position toward the open position and the blade being manually retractable to a retracted position out of operative engagement with the serrations to enable movement of the clamp body in a direction from the operative position toward the open position.

13. The endotracheal stabilizer of claim 11 further comprising a lever extending forward of the elongate frame and spaced from the elongate track, the lever being disposed so that a clinician can engage the lever and clamp body between a finger and thumb of one hand and slide the clamp body in the direction toward the operative position.

14. An endotracheal tube stabilizer comprising:

an elongate frame having a transverse tube channel with an opening sized to radially receive an endotracheal tube;

a clamp having a body and a distal foot with the body attached to the elongate frame for movement of the distal foot between an operative position with the foot blocking the opening of the tube channel and an open position with the foot remote from the opening of the tube channel; and

means between the clamp body and the elongate frame for permitting free movement of the distal foot toward the operative position and for preventing movement of tbe distal foot in a direction toward the open position without manual actuation.