Laryngeal mask airway device and method for administering a medicament through a laryngeal mask airway device
Inventors
Hainsworth, John Kenneth • BUTCHER, George Robert • Smith, Peter Ryan • SHAW, Thomas Henry • Robinson, Anthony
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12214129-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A laryngeal mask airway device includes an airway tube and a laryngeal mask placed at a distal end of the airway tube. The distal end of the airway tube opens inside the laryngeal mask. The device includes a connector placed at a proximal end of the airway tube. The connector is in fluid communication with the laryngeal mask through the airway tube and is configured to be connected to a ventilation equipment. The device includes a movable element placed in the laryngeal mask and configured to steer a tip of a catheter passing through the airway tube. The device further includes a control element mounted on the proximal end of the airway tube and a motion transmission device operatively connected to the movable element and to the control element to move the movable element and to steer the tip of the catheter by acting on the control element.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a laryngeal mask airway device comprising an airway tube with a proximal end and a distal end and a laryngeal mask placed at the distal end. The distal end of the airway tube opens inside the laryngeal mask, and the laryngeal mask is configured to seal around a laryngeal inlet of a patient. A connector placed at the proximal end or close to the proximal end is in fluid communication with the laryngeal mask through the airway tube and is configured to be connected to a ventilation equipment.
A movable element is placed in the laryngeal mask and is configured to steer a tip of a catheter passing through the airway tube when the catheter protrudes in the laryngeal mask. A control element and a motion transmission device operatively connected to the movable element and to the control element move the movable element and steer the catheter tip by acting on the control element. In one form, the control element comprises a shaft slidably inserted through an aperture in a casing, wherein the shaft is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the casing and hooks to a cord by the slidable insertion.
Further embodiments refine the motion transmission by comprising a cord and a leaf spring, where a movable element is mounted to an end of the leaf spring and an extremity of the cord is linked to the movable element or to the end of the leaf spring so that the leaf spring is elastically deflected by pulling the cord. Other embodiments define a stem and a hooked tip with a stem moveably arranged so it moves at least along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the airway tube, and a hooked tip that rotates about an axis when the stem moves. The motion transmission device may include a linking interface jointly attached to a proximal end of the stem and linked to the control element, such that actuating the control element causes movement of the linking interface, movement of the stem, and rotation of the hooked tip.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims, each directed to a laryngeal mask airway device that enables steering a catheter tip inside the laryngeal mask using a control element and a motion transmission device. Across the independent claims, the inventive focus is on the catheter-steering movable element within the laryngeal mask and the specific mechanical coupling between the control element and catheter-tip steering.
Catheter-steerable laryngeal mask airway device with ventilation connector
A laryngeal mask airway device comprising an airway tube with a proximal end and a distal end; a laryngeal mask placed at the distal end of the airway tube, wherein the distal end of the airway tube opens inside the laryngeal mask and the laryngeal mask is configured to seal around a laryngeal inlet of a patient; a connector placed at the proximal end or close to the proximal end of the airway tube, wherein the connector is in fluid communication with the laryngeal mask through the airway tube and is configured to be connected to a ventilation equipment.
Movable element in the laryngeal mask steers the catheter tip
A movable element placed in the laryngeal mask and configured to steer a tip of a catheter passing through the airway tube when said catheter protrudes in the laryngeal mask.
Control element and motion transmission device steers the catheter tip
A control element and a motion transmission device operatively connected to the movable element and to the control element to move the movable element and to steer the tip of the catheter by acting on the control element.
Casing aperture with perpendicularly oriented slidable shaft hooking to cord
A casing comprising an aperture; a control element comprising a shaft slidably inserted through the aperture; the shaft being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the casing and hooking to a cord of the motion transmission device by the slidable insertion.
Cord and leaf spring with elastic deflection coupling
A motion transmission device comprising a cord and a leaf spring, with the movable element mounted to an end of the leaf spring and an extremity of the cord linked to the movable element or to the end of the leaf spring so that the leaf spring is elastically deflected by pulling the cord.
Stem and hooked tip with parallel-axis stem motion and rotation
A motion transmission device comprising a stem and a hooked tip, with the stem moveably arranged in the laryngeal mask airway device such that it moves at least along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the airway tube when the control element is operated, and the hooked tip moveably arranged such that it rotates about an axis when the stem moves.
Linking interface coupled to the control element for coordinated movement and rotation
A motion transmission device comprising a linking interface jointly attached to a proximal end of the stem and linked to the control element, whereby actuating the control element causes movement of the linking interface, movement of the stem, and rotation of the hooked tip.
Collectively, the independent claims cover a laryngeal mask airway device sealing around a laryngeal inlet with a ventilation connector and an internal movable element that steers a catheter tip. The claims further define the motion transmission from the control element to the movable element using either a shaft slidable through a casing aperture and hooking to a cord, a cord/leaf spring arrangement with elastically deflected leaf spring motion, or a stem-and-hooked-tip mechanical arrangement with a linking interface.
Stated Advantages
Enables steering a catheter tip passing through the airway tube when the catheter protrudes in the laryngeal mask.
Provides a laryngeal mask configured to seal around a laryngeal inlet of a patient.
Maintains fluid communication with a ventilation equipment via a connector placed at the proximal end or close to the proximal end of the airway tube.
Documented Applications
Administration of medicaments, particularly pulmonary surfactant to premature neonates under non-invasive ventilation, using the laryngeal mask airway device and a catheter steered by a movable element.
Visual feedback during catheter advancement using a distal camera and illumination source/endoscope with a live display.
Exhalation flushing through an exhalation channel with a controlled exhalation orifice connected between the exhalation channel and the airway tube.
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