Assembly for intubation
Inventors
Cupelli, Matt • Bronson, Brent • Bolleter, Scott
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10953176-B2
Publication Date
2021-03-23
Expiration Date
2037-02-16
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Abstract
An assembly for intubation, as provided herein, may include a cricothyroidotomy tube that can receive a malleable bougie allowing the cricothyroidotomy tube to take the shape of the bougie so that the cricothyroidotomy tube can be placed in a patient. A guide device can receive the bougie so that the bougie can be manipulated with the guide device to assist with insertion of the cricothyroidotomy tube in the patient. A bougie opening can be defined in the guide device for receiving a proximal end of the bougie to position the proximal end out of the way of a care giver to reduce interference that can be caused by the proximal end. Markings on the bougie can illustrate where to position the bougie to allow a predetermined amount of the bougie to extend from the cricothyroidotomy tube.
Core Innovation
The invention is an improved assembly for intubation, particularly for oral tracheal, intubation, positioning member assisted or guided intubation, and surgical cricothyrotomy tube placement. The assembly includes an endotracheal or cricothyroidotomy tube capable of receiving a malleable bougie, allowing it to take the bougie's shape to facilitate proper placement in a patient's airway. The system comprises a specialized guide device that can receive and manipulate the bougie, assisting in the insertion process by enabling both structural adjustability and secure, rapid adjustment of the bougie’s position relative to the tube.
A problem addressed by the invention is the challenge of identifying, reaching, and guiding the tube through the cricothyroid membrane, especially when anatomic variations or bodily fluids complicate handling and placement. Conventional solutions may be bulky, difficult to operate in unstable or emergent medical settings, or may have bougie ends that interfere with the procedure and visualization. The assembly solves these problems by featuring a guide device with a dedicated bougie opening to position the bougie's proximal end out of the way, reducing interference and allowing for easy, secure handling even when conditions are suboptimal.
The assembly additionally incorporates guide device markings on the bougie, which indicate visually where the guide device should be located to ensure a predetermined length of the bougie extends from the tube, thereby standardizing and facilitating the placement process. The package is designed to be compact and suitable for individual, single-use storage, making it well-suited to austere, battlefield, or complex care environments where portability and rapid deployment are essential.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims, each outlining core inventive features related to the assembly for intubation.
Compact assembly for intubation with bougie, guide device, and dedicated bougie opening
An intubation assembly comprising: - A cricothyroidotomy tube with an endotracheal tube connector and a distal tube end. - A malleable bougie selectively inserted into the tube, causing the tube to adopt the bougie’s shape. - A guide device with a bore extending along a longitudinal axis, pressure fit to the bougie to allow manipulation and insertion assistance. - An extension on the guide device receivable in the tube connector, accommodating the bougie and guide device within the tube. - A bougie opening in the guide device for receiving the bougie’s proximal end to reduce caregiver interference. - Guide device markings on the bougie indicating the guide device’s proper position to ensure a predetermined bougie extension from the tube end. - A compact package for carrying the tube, bougie, and guide device. - The bougie opening is fluid-separated and non-coaxial with the bore.
Intubation assembly with guide device and position-indicating bougie marking
An intubation assembly comprising: - A tube with a tube connector and distal tube end. - A bougie selectively inserted, shaping the tube for placement. - A guide device with a longitudinal bore, pressure fit on the bougie to assist insertion. - A bougie opening to secure the bougie’s proximal end and minimize user interference. - A guide device marking on the bougie to indicate positioning, ensuring a set length of bougie beyond the tube end once inserted. - The bougie opening is fluid-separated from the bore and non-coaxial with the longitudinal axis.
Guide device with lateral wing and bougie opening fluid-separated from tube bore
An assembly comprising: - A cricothyroidotomy tube with a distal tube end. - A bougie for selective insertion and placement assistance. - A guide device with a longitudinal bore, receiving and manipulating the bougie to aid tube insertion. - A bougie opening defined through a laterally outward-extending wing of the guide device, fluid-separated from the bore and tube, with a non-coaxial orientation relative to the longitudinal axis.
In summary, the inventive features cover a compact, manipulatable intubation assembly utilizing a malleable bougie, guide device with non-coaxial bougie opening, position-indicating markings, and compact packaging, all designed to address interference, handling, and placement issues.
Stated Advantages
Reduces interference from the bougie's proximal end during airway access, enhancing provider visualization and procedural access.
Improves tactile feedback and confirmation of proper tube placement through secure bougie handling.
Enables rapid and situational adjustment of the bougie, accommodating varied patient anatomy and emergent conditions.
Provides a compact, easily carried, single-use package suitable for emergent, battlefield, or resource-limited environments.
Facilitates accurate placement of the bougie and tube via markings and standardized positioning, improving procedural efficiency.
Improves grip and manipulation during insertion, especially in settings where the bougie may be slippery due to bodily fluids.
Documented Applications
Oral tracheal intubation assistance.
Surgical cricothyrotomy tube placement.
Positioning member-assisted or guided intubation in emergent and critical care settings, including battlefield or disaster area applications.
Use in unstable, austere, or complex care environments.
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