Bronchoscopic manifold with compressible diaphragmatic valve for simultaneous airway instrumentation

• US 6,086,529 A
• Filed: 03/04/1998
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wisconsin Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Wisconsin Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Arndt, George Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/034,958
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 600/114, 600/120, 128/204.18, 128/202.16, 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/207.16, 128/200.26, 128/912, 604/256, 604/167
• US Class Current: 600/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections

Abstract

An apparatus and method for accomplishing simultaneous bronchoscopy and airway instrumentation and securing the instrument in place using an adjustable threaded gastight seal. The apparatus consisting of a hollow elongated manifold for simultaneous fiberoptic bronchoscopy through a fiberoptic port (4) and introduction a secondary tubular instrument (2) through a threaded secondary instrument port (5) while maintaining mechanical ventilation of a intubated patient using a ventilation port (7) and endotracheal tube connection port (6). The secondary instrument port (5) is constructed in a manner to allow introduction of a tubular instrument into the airway and form an adjustable gastight seal. It consists of a compressible perforated diaphragmatic seal (17) sandwiched between a threaded secondary instrument port and threaded perforated secondary instrument cap (18) so that the threaded cap may be torqued into the threaded secondary port (5) compressing the compressible diaphragmatic seal (17) against the inserted secondary instrument (2) forming airtight adjustable seal and affixing the secondary instrument in place. In addition, the secondary instrument port (5) allows chronic instrumentation following the removal of the fiberoptic bronchoscope (3) or reinspection.

Claims

1. An airway manifold comprising:

an elongated hollow body having proximal and distal ends and an interior passageway having a long axis and opening to at least four ports;

a first port open to the proximal end of the interior passageway along the long axis of the hollow body;

a second port open to the distal end of the interior passageway along the long axis of the hollow body and accommodating a resealable gas-tight cover;

a third port open to the interior passageway;

a fourth port open at one end directly to the interior passageway and disposed opposite the third port, the fourth port oriented at an angle of about 15 degrees to 70 degrees from the long axis relative to distal end of the hollow body, the fourth port accommodating a perforated compressible diaphram for releasably securing a catheter device in the fourth port.

2. The airway manifold according to claim 1 wherein the diaphragm is variably compressible.

3. The airway manifold according to claim 1 wherein the diaphragm comprises a deformable material.

4. The airway manifold according to claim 1 wherein the diaphragm defines a single central hole.

5. The airway manifold according to claim 1 wherein the diaphragm defines a single central hole and more radial slits extending from the central hole to an edge of the diaphragm.

6. The airway manifold according to claim 1 wherein the diaphragm defines at least one radial slit extending from a center to an edge of the diaphragm.

7. The airway manifold according to claim 1 wherein the diaphragm defines one slit.

8. The airway manifold according to claim 1 wherein the manifold further comprises an end cap on the fourth port, the compressible perforated diaphragm being sandwiched between the end cap and the fourth port.

9. The airway manifold according to claim 1 further comprising a catheter device traversing the fourth port.

10. A multiport airway manifold for connection to an endotracheal tube, the manifold comprising:

an elongated hollow body having proximal and distal ends and an interior passageway having a long axis;

an endotracheal tube connection port open to the proximal end of the interior passageway along the axis of the hollow body;

a bronchoscopy port open to the distal end of the interior passageway along the axis of the hollow body;

a resealable gas-tight cover on the bronchoscopy port adapted for removable insertion of a bronchoscope into the bronchoscopy port and through the hollow body;

a mechanical ventilation port open to the interior passageway and adapted for connection to a mechanical ventilator;

an instrument port open at one end directly to the interior passageway and disposed opposite the mechanical ventilation port, the instruction port oriented at an angle of about 15 degrees to 70 degrees from the long axis relative to the distal end of the hollow body, the instrument port accommodating a perforated compressible diaphragm for releasably securing a catheter device in the instrument port.

11. A method for selectively introducing a catheter device into a ventilated lung of a patient having an endotracheal tube open at two ends and positioned above a bifurcated trachea, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter device and an airway manifold that comprises an elongated hollow body having proximal and distal ends and an interior passageway having a long axis, a first port open to the proximal end of the interior passageway along the axis of the hollow body, a releasably sealable gas-tight second port open to the distal end of the interior passageway along the axis of the hollow body, a third port open to the interior passageway, a fourth port open at one end directly to the interior of the interior passageway and oriented at an angle of about 15 degrees to 70 degrees from the long axis relative to the distal end of the hollow body, the fourth port being adapted for releasably securing the catheter device in the fourth port, the catheter device traversing the fourth port;

attaching the endotracheal tube to the first port;

attaching a ventilator to the third port;

guiding a fiberoptic endoscope through the second port, through the interior passageway, through the endotracheal tube and into the trachea;

guiding the catheter device through the interior passageway, through the endotracheal tube and into the trachea; and

securing the catheter device in the fourth port.

12. A method as in claim 11 wherein the catheter device is selected from the group consisting of an endobronchial blocker, a fiberoptic bundle, and a jet ventilation catheter.

13. A method as in claim 11 wherein the catheter device is an endobronchial blocker and the catheter device is guided into a mainstem bronchus.

14. A method as in claim 11 wherein the instrument is a bronchoscope.