Ventilator to tracheotomy tube coupling

Abstract

A coupling for connecting a ventilator tube to a tracheotomy tube has a latching mechanism which prevents the coupling from axially displacing a tapered tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube after they have been mated in a pneumatically discrete path. For use with known adult tracheotomy tubes which have inner and outer cannulas, the latching mechanism engages the coupling with the leading end of the outer cannula collar with the inner cannula collar sandwiched therebetween. For use with known one piece children's tracheotomy tubes, the latching mechanism is a clamshell contoured to concentrically grip the tapered tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube. Interlocking the coupling and the tracheotomy tube prevents them from inadvertently axially displacing from each other. Non-axial force disengages the coupling from the tracheotomy tube so that the coupling can be axially displaced without exertion of excessive axial force on the system and the patient.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to medical equipment and more particularly concerns devices used to connect ventilators to tracheotomy tubes. [0002] For adult patients, two-piece tracheotomy tubes having inner and outer cannulas are presently in common use. The outer cannula is inserted into the patient's windpipe and the inner cannula is inserted into or removed from the outer cannula for use or for replacement, cleaning or disinfecting, respectively. The outer cannula of these two-piece devices has a collar on its trailing end which is configured to be positively engaged with a collar on the leading end of the inner cannula. The cannulas cannot be disengaged from each other affirmative release of their positive engagement. The trailing end of the combined cannulas has a tapered tubular extension which plugs into or into which is plugged, depending on the diameter of the tubular extension of the particular tracheotomy tube, the leading end of a f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a coupling for connecting a ventilator tube to a tracheotomy tube in a way that allows the tubes to be easily connected and disconnected without causing damage to the patient. The coupling is a flexible tubular member with adapters on its ends for connecting to the tubes. One of the adapters has a latching mechanism to prevent the tubes from displacing after they are connected. The other adaper has a mechanism for disengaging the latching mechanism to allow the tubes to move axially. The coupling can be easily disconnected without applying excessive force on the patient's neck. The invention also provides different ways to connect the tubes based on the design of the tubes and the preferences of the medical professionals.

Problems solved by technology

Because of their structural configuration and operational steps, there are some problems inherent in the known one or two piece tracheotomy tubes, in the known flexible connectors and in their combination.

One set of problems is related to the comfort of the patient.

This concern is sometimes addressed by after-market removal of all or a portion of the flange, but this solution generally results in a damaged connector, increasing the likelihood of infection-causing secretions and also becomes less secure due to removal of the firm portion of the connector.

Also, the manipulation of the flange to connect or disconnect the connector to or from the tubular extension can cause considerable discomfort to the patient, since this often requires the application of manual pressure to the patient's neck, chin or chest.

It is common practice to extend rubber bands from one side of a neck plate on the tracheotomy tube collar to the flexible connector and back to the other side of the neck plate in an effort to hold the flexible connector in place, but the rubber bands are likely either too elastic or too inelastic to properly accomplish this purpose.

While a child's tracheotomy tube is smaller than an adult's, the available space between the chin and chest is significantly smaller and the flexible connector flange is the same size as used for adults, so the smaller device affords no relief for the connector flange related comfort problems.

A second set of problems is related directly to the ability, or inability, of the system to accomplish its primary purpose of keeping the patient's trachea connected to the ventilator.

Moreover, the connector and tracheotomy tube parts are always wet and slippery due to the very nature of their application and are not very tightly mated because of the neck pressure problems.

The end result is a connection so tenuous that a mere sneeze, cough or turn or tip of the head can cause the connector and the tapered tubular extension to separate, defeating the operation of the system.

A third set of problems concerns the performance of the medical staff as a result of these other problems.

The inherent comfort issues result in more pains-taking, time-consuming effort by the staff in an effort to reduce the impact of these discomforts on the patient.

And, because of the ease of inadvertent disconnection of the system, the staff unnecessarily spends valuable time monitoring and reconnecting the connectors to the tubular extensions of the tracheotomy tubes.

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