Method and device for simultaneously documenting and treating tension pneumothorax and/or hemothorax
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12419999-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and device are provided for simultaneously or near-simultaneously diagnosing and treating tension pneumothorax and/or hemothorax. A Veress-type needle portion includes a hollow needle for puncturing the chest wall over a blunt hollow probe biased by one or more springs to extend distally into the pleural cavity. Openings in the blunt hollow probe connect via a pathway to an automatic check valve, which permits the flow of air and/or fluid only in a proximal direction. Pressure from within the pleural cavity is transmitted to the interior surface of a pressure documenter. If pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is present in the pleural cavity, the pressure documenter will be automatically urged proximally to simultaneously allow air and/or fluid to escape from the pleural space through the device, thus treating the tension pneumothorax and/or hemothorax, as well as providing a stable indicator to positively document the diagnosis of increased pressure.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a Veress-type tension pneumothorax/hemothorax treatment device that includes a sharp hollow needle over a spring-biased blunt hollow probe. The probe includes probe openings that communicate with an automatic check valve to permit one-way proximal flow of air/fluid while transmitting pleural pressure to a pressure documenter. The pressure documenter provides a stable indicator and moves proximally to lock when pleural pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure.
Upon pleural pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure, trapped air and/or blood are allowed to vent externally through the device while simultaneously documenting positive tension. The design provides an automatic pressure-responsive sequence in which pressure is detected via the check valve and documented by a mobile documenter that locks proximally.
The invention further describes mechanisms and embodiments that enable automatic halting and stabilizing during insertion. It includes an arrangement where the distal end of the probe is biased into a position distal to a distal end of a generally hollow elongate tubular member, and engaging the probe distal end with skin and/or other tissue moves the probe proximally so that the hollow elongate tubular member can be inserted.
The hollow elongate tubular member automatically halts distal movement into the body cavity upon entry, due to the distal end of the probe returning to a position distal to the distal end of the tubular member upon entry.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are directed to a method of inserting a medical device into a body cavity using a biased probe with automatic distal movement halting. Each independent claim is centered on engaging the probe with skin/tissue to overcome distal bias, inserting a generally hollow elongate tubular member, and automatically halting distal movement upon entry, with Claim 11 additionally specifying a housing structure and dependent limitations addressing stabilization and flow/venting via openings and one-way flow paths.
Probe bias engagement with skin/tissue to move the probe proximally
Engaging the distal end of the probe with the skin and/or other tissue of the patient to overcome the bias to move the probe proximally relative to the generally hollow elongate tubular member.
Insertion of a generally hollow elongate tubular member into the body cavity
Inserting the generally hollow elongate tubular member into the body cavity of the patient.
Automatic distal movement halting of the generally hollow elongate tubular member on entry
Causing the generally hollow elongate tubular member to automatically halt distal movement into the body cavity upon entry of a distal portion of the generally hollow elongate tubular member into the body cavity, wherein the generally hollow elongate tubular member automatically halts moving distally into the body cavity upon entry into the body cavity due to the distal end of the probe returning to the position distal to the distal end of the generally hollow elongate tubular member upon entry into the body cavity.
Probe disposed with the generally hollow elongate tubular member in a housed device
A method of inserting a medical device into a body cavity of a patient, the medical device including a housing, a generally hollow elongate tubular member extending distally from the housing and a probe disposed with the generally hollow elongate tubular member, a distal end of the probe being biased into a position distal to a distal end of the hollow elongate tubular member.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive coverage is the combination of a biased probe that is engaged with skin/tissue to move the probe proximally, insertion of a generally hollow elongate tubular member, and an automatic mechanism that halts distal movement upon entry into the body cavity due to the probe distal end returning to a distal position relative to the tubular member.
Stated Advantages
Facilitates treatment for tension pneumothorax/hemothorax while documenting positive tension using a pressure documenter.
Helps reduce iatrogenic lung puncture and open pneumothorax risk.
Documented Applications
Treatment of tension pneumothorax/hemothorax using a Veress-type device with pressure documentation and pressure-responsive venting into an external environment.
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