Medical instrument port for use with protective face coverings
Inventors
Woodson, B. Tucker • Poetker, David M. • Garcia, Guilherme • Freudinger, Bonnie Patricia • Friedland, David R. • Loehrl, Todd A.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11911010-B2
Publication Date
2024-02-27
Expiration Date
2041-05-05
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Abstract
A medical instrument port is described for use with a surgical mask or other protective face covering. The medical instrument port provides a sealed pathway through which a medical instrument can be passed without exposing the clinician to aerosolized droplets expelled from the patient's respiratory system when the medical instrument is introduced into the patient's nasal and/or oral passages.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a medical instrument port for use with a surgical mask or other protective face covering, enabling a clinician to introduce a medical instrument into the nasal or oral passage of a patient without removing the protective barrier provided by the mask. The medical instrument port creates a sealed pathway through which instruments, such as endoscopes or bronchoscopes, can be passed while minimizing the risk of exposure to aerosolized droplets expelled from the patient's respiratory system.
The medical instrument port consists of a first component and a second component. The first component extends from an outward facing surface to an inward facing surface, with an aperture running between these surfaces. The second component includes a flange and a tube, with the tube extending from the flange's inward facing surface to its leading edge. A central lumen runs through the second component, and the aperture in the first component is sized to receive the tube, allowing the two components to couple and define a port for medical instrument passage. The port includes a seal to prevent the passage of aerosolized droplets during and after instrument insertion.
The problem addressed by this invention is the need for personal protective equipment that allows safe medical procedures requiring instrument insertion (such as endoscopy) while maintaining an effective protective barrier. Current practice requires removing or compromising the mask, exposing clinicians to potentially infectious aerosolized droplets. The medical instrument port resolves this by enabling instrument introduction without removing the face covering, thereby retaining the protective barrier throughout the procedure.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim outlining several main inventive features regarding the structure and function of the medical instrument port.
Two-component instrument port design for face masks
The medical instrument port is composed of a first component having an aperture extending from an outward facing surface to an inward facing surface, and a second component with a flange and a tube. The second component's central lumen extends from the outward facing surface of the flange to the leading edge of the tube. The aperture in the first component is sized to receive the tube of the second component such that when in a coupled state, the components define a port through which a medical instrument can pass.
Retention of mask between components with defined surface area
The flange of the second component is sized so that the surface area between the outer surface of the tube and the outer edge of the flange is sufficient to retain a face mask between the inward facing surface of the first component and the inward facing surface of the flange when coupled.
Coupling by interference fit and exposed interface
The first component is coupled to the second component by an interference fit between the tube and the aperture. When coupled, the interface where the outer edge of the first component meets the outer edge of the flange is exposed, permitting retention of the face mask between the inward facing surfaces of both components.
The inventive features cover a medical instrument port that securely couples to a face mask, forming a sealed and retainable pathway for medical instruments through the mask, while maintaining a protective barrier via a unique two-component structure with an interference fit.
Stated Advantages
Provides a sealed pathway for medical instruments through a face mask, preventing clinician exposure to aerosolized droplets.
Allows instrument introduction without removing or compromising the protective barrier of the face covering.
Offers simple construction with ease of use, enabling rapid and simple assembly without additional tools.
Can be manufactured rapidly and inexpensively using various materials and manufacturing methods.
Documented Applications
Use with surgical masks or other face coverings to enable safe passage of medical instruments such as endoscopes and bronchoscopes into the nasal or oral passages of a patient.
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