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Publication Number
US-11529483-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
An add-on device and method for an Endo-Tracheal Tube (ETT), the add-on device including a lengthy body having a major arc-shaped cross section sized and shaped to tightly fit over an ETT, at least one longitudinal cavity passing along the lengthy body, including a distal suction cavity ending with a suction inlet at a distal end of the lengthy body; and a distal suction outlet channel extending from a proximal end of the lengthy body, the channel is a continuous extension of the distal suction cavity and configured to provide suction to the distal suction cavity. The add-on device senses moisture at a distal end of the add-on device, and in case of detection of excessive wetness, provides suction to the distal end of the device through a cavity passing along the device, the suction is provided via a suction outlet channel extending from a proximal end of the device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an add-on device for a ventilation tube, including a lengthy body sized to fit over a ventilation tube while the ventilation tube is located within a trachea of a ventilated patient. The lengthy body includes a longitudinal slit and at least one longitudinal cavity passing along the lengthy body, and at least one liquid outlet is continuous with the at least one longitudinal cavity at a location corresponding to a patient's mouth. The device further includes a mouth tube extending from an external surface of the lengthy body at the mouth location, with the at least one liquid outlet located at a distal end of the mouth tube.
A moisture sensor senses dryness at the location corresponding to the patient's mouth, and a controller activates a liquid source for providing liquid to the at least one liquid outlet via the at least one longitudinal cavity according to an indication of dryness sensed by the moisture sensor. The provided description characterizes this as liquid/wetness delivery to the mouth through the longitudinal cavity and liquid outlet.
The invention further includes a mouth suction tube extending from the external surface of the lengthy body at the mouth location, where the mouth suction tube is continuous to at least one suction channel passing along the lengthy body for providing suction to the mouth location. An impedance-based moisture detection approach is described in the provided content, and the controller is described as activating suction based on sensor indications, including activation based on excessive wetness. Additional mechanical and material features are described, including a distal recess to reduce suction inlet clogging, a tiltable mouth tube/liquid outlet for positioning, and a liquid-absorbing sponge/foam material that expands after absorbing liquid to grip the ETT and help prevent secretion penetration.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims cover two related add-on device configurations for a ventilation tube, each containing moisture sensing at a mouth location and controller-driven liquid delivery via longitudinal cavities, with one independent claim additionally requiring a mouth suction tube and suction channel for mouth-positioned suction. Across the two independent claims, there are at least four main inventive features.
Moisture-sensor-controlled liquid-outlet add-on for a ventilation tube
An add-on device for a ventilation tube comprising a lengthy body having a longitudinal slit sized and shaped to fit over the ventilation tube while the ventilation tube is located within a trachea of a ventilated patient, at least one longitudinal cavity passing along the lengthy body, at least one liquid outlet continuous with the at least one longitudinal cavity disposed at a location corresponding to a patient's mouth, a moisture sensor that senses dryness at the location corresponding to the patient's mouth, and a controller that activates a liquid source for providing liquid to the at least one liquid outlet via the at least one longitudinal cavity according to an indication of dryness sensed by the moisture sensor.
Mouth tube with distal liquid outlet at the patient's mouth location
A mouth tube extending from an external surface of the lengthy body at the location corresponding to the patient's mouth, wherein the at least one liquid outlet is located at a distal end of the mouth tube.
Mouth suction tube continuous to suction channels for mouth suction
A mouth suction tube extending from an external surface of the lengthy body at the location corresponding to the patient's mouth, the mouth suction tube continuous to at least one suction channel passing along the lengthy body for providing suction to the location corresponding to the patient's mouth.
Together, the independent claims broadly cover a ventilation-tube add-on in which moisture at a mouth location is sensed and a controller activates a liquid source to provide liquid to a mouth-positioned liquid outlet through internal longitudinal cavities, with one independent claim further requiring a mouth suction tube continuous to longitudinal suction channels for providing suction at the mouth location.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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