Magnetic nasal tube bridle system and related method

• US 20020026936A1
• Filed: 08/24/2001
• Published: 03/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kirn Medical Design, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kirn Medical Design, LLC
• Inventors: Kirn, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,631,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.24
• 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 16/0497 Tube stabilizer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09116 Design of handles or shafts or gripping surfaces thereof for manipulating guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/013 One-way gripping collars

Abstract

A bridle system for placing and securing a nasal tube in a patient includes a flexible member having a magnet attached to a first end thereof for insertion into a nare of a patient'"'"'s nose, a magnetic probe for insertion into a second nare of the nose. The magnetic probe attracts the flexible member magnet to assist in retrieving the first end of the flexible member through the second nare of the nose. The system further includes a receiver for securing the nasal tube and the flexible member externally, adjacent the nose to prevent dislodgement by the patient or otherwise. The receiver includes first and second pivotally connected portions forming a main body. Channels are provided for receiving the nasal tube and flexible member in a snap-fit manner. A method of placing and securing a nasal tube through the nose of a patient includes the steps of inserting a flexible member having a magnet attached thereto into a nare of the nose, inserting a magnetic probe into a second nare of the nose for attracting the first magnet, removing the probe from the nose thereby retrieving the first end of the flexible member through the second nare of the nose, and securing the nasal tube and the flexible member with a receiver.

Claims

1. A bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in a patient comprising:

a flexible member having first and second ends, said first end for insertion into a first nare of a nose;

a magnet secured substantially within said first end;

a magnetic probe for insertion into a second nare of the nose to attract said magnet and retrieve said magnet and said first end of said flexible member; and

a receiver for securing the at least one tube and said first and second ends of said flexible member.

2. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 1, wherein said flexible member is tubular;

and

further comprising a rod for insertion into said tubular flexible member to provide additional rigidity for said flexible member during insertion of said flexible member into the first nare.

3. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 1, wherein said flexible member and said magnetic probe include at least one indicia thereon, said indicia indicating at least one average insertion distance.

4. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 1, wherein said receiver is selected from a group of integrally molded receivers.

5. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 1, wherein said receiver includes first and second pivotally connected portions;

and

wherein said first portion includes a first channel formed therein for receiving the at least one tube, said channel having an opening along an axial direction thereof at least portions of the opening being smaller than an outer diameter of the at least one tube for securing said tube in said channel.

6. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 5, further comprising second and third channels formed in said first or second portions of said receiver for receiving the flexible member;

and

wherein an axis of said first channel is offset from a line drawn through axes of said second and third channels.

7. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 6, wherein at least one of said second and third channels include an opening along an axial direction thereof at least portions of which are smaller than an outer diameter of said flexible member for securing said flexible member in said at least one of said second and third channels.

8. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 6, wherein said first and second portions each have exterior surfaces;

and

wherein said exterior surfaces contacting the patient are smooth to prevent irritation.

9. A bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in a patient comprising:

a flexible member having first and second ends, said first end for insertion into a first nare of a nose;

a magnet attached to said first end of said flexible member;

a magnetic probe for insertion into a second nare of the nose to attract said magnet and retrieve said magnet and said first end of said flexible member; and

a receiver having first and second pivotally connected members for securing the at least one tube and said first and second ends of said flexible member, said first member including a first channel having an opening along an axial direction thereof which is smaller than an outer diameter of the at least one tube for securing said tube in said channel.

10. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 9, further comprising second and third channels formed in said first or second members of said receiver for receiving the flexible member;

and

wherein an axis of said first channel is offset from a line drawn through axes of said second and third channels.

11. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 10, wherein said receiver is selected from a group of integrally molded receivers.

12. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 10, wherein said first magnet is secured substantially within said first end.

13. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 10, wherein said first magnet is enveloped within said first end.

14. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 10, wherein said first and second members each have smooth exterior surfaces to prevent irritation of the patient.

16. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 15, wherein said receivers include first and second pivotally connected members, said first member including a first channel having an opening along an axial direction thereof which is smaller than an outer diameter of the at least one tube for securing said tube in said channel.

17. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 16, further comprising second and third channels formed in said first or second members of said receiver for receiving the flexible member;

and

wherein an axis of said first channel is offset from a line drawn through axes of said second and third channels.

18. The bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in claim 17, wherein said first and second members each have smooth exterior surfaces to prevent irritation of the patient.

20. The receiver for securing at least one tube in a patient in claim 19, further comprising second and third channels formed in said first or second portions of said receiver for receiving the flexible member;

and

wherein an axis of said first channel is offset from a line drawn through axes of said second and third channels.

21. The receiver for securing at least one tube in a patient in claim 20, wherein at least one of said second and third channels include an opening along an axial direction thereof at least portions of which are smaller than an outer diameter of said flexible member for securing said flexible member in said at least one of said second and third channels.

22. The receiver for securing at least one tube in a patient in claim 21, wherein said receiver is selected from a group of integrally molded receivers.

23. The receiver for securing at least one tube in a patient in claim 22, wherein said first an d second portions each have smooth exterior surfaces to prevent irritation of the patient.

25. The method of placing and securing at least one tube in a patient of claim 24, further comprising the step of selectively removing a receiver from a group of integrally molded receivers for use in said securing step.

26. The method of placing and securing at least one tube in a patient of claim 25, wherein each of said receivers in said group of integrally molded receivers includes first and second pivotally connected portions;

and

wherein said first portion includes a first channel formed therein for receiving the at least one tube, said channel having an opening along an axial direction thereof at least portions of which are smaller than an outer diameter of the at least one tube for securing said tube in said channel.

27. The method of placing and securing at least one tube in a patient of claim 26, wherein the step of securing the at least one tube includes snapping the tube into said channel of said receiver.

28. The method of placing and securing at least one tube in a patient of claim 26, wherein each of said receivers in said group of integrally molded receivers includes second and third channels formed in said first or second portions of said receiver for receiving the flexible member;

and

wherein an axis of said first channel is offset from a line drawn through axes of said second and third channels.

30. The method of placing and securing at least one tube through a nose into a patient of claim 29, further comprising the step of selectively removing said receiver from a group of integrally molded receivers dependent upon a size of the at least one tube for use in said securing step.

31. The method of placing and securing at least one tube through a nose into a patient of claim 29, wherein said receiver includes second and third channels formed therein for receiving the flexible member;

and

wherein an axis of said first channel is offset from a line drawn through axes of said second and third channels.

15. A bridle system for placing and securing at least one tube in a patient comprising:

a flexible member having first and second ends, said first end for insertion into a first nare of a nose;

a magnet attached to said first end of said flexible member;

a magnetic probe for insertion into a second nare of the nose to attract said magnet and retrieve said magnet and said first end of said flexible member; and

a group of integrally molded receivers for securing different sizes of the at least one tube and said flexible member.

19. A receiver for securing at least one tube in a patient comprising:

first and second pivotally connected portions, said first portion including a first channel formed therein and having an opening along an axial direction thereof at least portions of which are smaller than an outer diameter of the at least one tube for receiving and securing the at least one tube.

24. A method of placing and securing at least one tube in a patient comprising:

inserting the at least one tube into a first or second nare of the nose;

inserting an end portion of a flexible member having a magnet substantially secured therein into a first nare of the nose;

inserting a magnetic probe into a second nare of the nose for attracting said magnet;

removing said probe from the second nare of the nose thereby retrieving said end portion of said flexible member through the second nare of the nose; and

securing the at least one tube and said flexible member.

29. A method of placing and securing at least one tube through a nose into a patient comprising:

inserting the at least one tube into a first or second nare of the nose;

inserting an end portion of a flexible member having a magnet attached thereto into a first nare of the nose;

inserting a magnetic probe into a second nare of the nose for attracting said magnet and said end portion of said flexible member;

removing said probe from the second nare of the nose thereby retrieving said end portion of said flexible member through the second nare of the nose; and

snapping the at least one tube into a channel formed in said receiver.