MEDICAL CONTAINER

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for use with a laryngeal mask airway device (4), wherein the apparatus is configured to collect regurgitated fluid from a patient during use of the laryngeal mask airway device, wherein the apparatus is adapted for attachment to a gastric port (8) provided on the laryngeal mask airway device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with a laryngeal mask airway device, wherein the apparatus is configured to collect regurgitated fluid from a patient during use of the laryngeal mask airway device, wherein the apparatus is adapted for attachment to a gastric port provided on the laryngeal mask airway device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to collect regurgitated fluid from the patient during insertion of the laryngeal mask airway device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is provided in the form of a fluid-tight container.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the container is a bag.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises means for attachment of the apparatus to the laryngeal mask airway device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for attachment comprises a connector to facilitate attachment of the apparatus to the laryngeal mask airway device.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connector has an adjustable diameter.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connector comprises silicone, polyvinylchloride or synthetic rubber.

9. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more vents adapted to allow pressure equalization between the interior and exterior of the container.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the one or more vents is provided as one or more vent holes.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the one or more vent holes are provided on the connector.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the one or more vent holes is adapted to prevent passage of liquid therethrough.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the one or more vent holes comprises a liquid impermeable membrane.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the one or more vent holes is provided with a releasable closure such as a cap.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a plastics or metallic foil material.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a plastics or metallic foil material.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus is flexible and/or lightweight.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus is non-porous.

19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus comprises polyethylene, polyvinylchloride or polyethylene.

20. A laryngeal mask airway device comprising the apparatus in accordance with claim 1.

21. A kit comprising a laryngeal mask airway device according to claim 20.

22. A method of using the apparatus according to claim 1 in combination with a laryngeal mask airway device, wherein the method comprises attaching the apparatus to the laryngeal mask airway device, inserting the laryngeal mask airway device into the airway of the patient, and collecting regurgitated fluid from the patient.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the apparatus is connected to the laryngeal mask airway device by means of a connector.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the connector is attached to a gastric port provided on the laryngeal mask airway device.

25. A method of manufacturing a laryngeal mask airway device, comprising providing the apparatus according to claim 1 and attaching the apparatus to the laryngeal mask airway device.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the apparatus is attached to the laryngeal mask airway device by a connector provided on the apparatus.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the connector is attached to a gastric port provided on the laryngeal mask airway device.

Description

[0015] The invention will be further described by way of example and with reference to the following drawings, in which,

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of apparatus according to the invention in combination with a laryngeal mask airway device;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of a vent hole for use with apparatus according to the invention; and

[0018] FIG. 3 is a front view of a vent hole for use with apparatus according to the invention.

[0019] With reference to FIG. 1, there is provided apparatus 2 for use with laryngeal mask airway device 4, wherein the apparatus 2 is configured to collect regurgitated fluid such as blood and/or stomach fluid from a patient during use (e.g. during insertion) of the laryngeal mask airway device. The apparatus is provided in the form of a container 2 which advantageously allows for regurgitated matter (such as stomach contents and/or blood) from the patient to pass from the laryngeal mask airway device into the container, thus protecting medical personnel and/or other people in proximity to the patient from exposure to regurgitated matter from the patient. Advantageously, the apparatus protects medical personnel and/or other people in proximity to the patient from exposure to potential diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, etc, and/or prevents contamination of the surroundings of the patient.

[0020] The apparatus 2 comprises a connector 6 to facilitate attachment of the apparatus 2 to the laryngeal mask airway device 4. The apparatus is attached to a gastric port 8 provided at the proximal end of the artificial airway device. The apparatus may be attached to a gastric tube 10 of the laryngeal mask airway device. Advantageously, the connector 6 may comprise an adjustable diameter to facilitate attachment of the connector 6 to the gastric port 8. The connector 6 may comprise silicone, polyvinylchloride or a synthetic rubber material.

[0021] The apparatus 2 comprises one or more vents 12, provided in the form of vent holes, to allow air to be evacuated from the apparatus. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the one or more vent holes 12 are provided on the connector 6 as simple small diameter orifices. It is preferred however that the vents are liquid-tight to prevent escape of contained liquids. For this purpose each vent hole 12 is provided with a membrane that allows air to pass, but substantially prevents passage of liquid. An example of a suitable membrane material is PTFE.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is illustrated an alternative form of vent hole 12 for use with apparatus according to the invention. This simple structure can be easily incorporated into the wall of the container and consists of an inner mounting ring 12a, an outer mounting ring 12b, a membrane 12c and a cap 12d. Inner and outer mounting rings 12a,12b include mutually interengageable male and female flange parts 120, 121. When these are engaged the mounting rings together provide inner and outer mounting grooves 122, 123 dimensioned to securely trap the wall material of the container and the membrane. Cap 12d is removably attached by push-fitting.

[0023] Typically, the apparatus 2 may comprise a plastics or metallic foil material. Preferably, the apparatus 2 comprises a plastics film. Advantageously, the apparatus is inexpensive to manufacture and is typically disposable. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a material that is flexible and lightweight such that the apparatus may be stored in a compact form when it is not in use. Preferably, the apparatus is non-porous to allow for isolation of the regurgitated material. Preferably, the apparatus comprises polyethylene, polyvinylchloride and/or polypropylene.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, there is also provided a laryngeal mask airway device 4 comprising apparatus 2 configured to collect regurgitated fluid such as blood and/or stomach fluid from a patient during use (e.g. during insertion) of the laryngeal mask airway device. Typically, the laryngeal mask airway device 4 comprises silicone, silicone rubber or PVC. Advantageously, the apparatus may be used with different sizes of laryngeal mask airway devices. The laryngeal mask airway device comprises one or more gastric ports 8 for connection of the apparatus to the device. The apparatus is connected to the one or more gastric ports by means of a connector 6. The gastric port 8 is provided at the proximal end of the laryngeal mask airway device.

[0025] The laryngeal mask airway device 4 further comprises an airway tube 9, a backplate 11 attached to an airway tube 9, a peripheral inflatable cuff 15, and an outlet 17. The backplate 11 is attached to the airway tube 9. The device provides for gaseous communication between the airway tube 9 and the outlet 17.

[0026] In use, the apparatus 2 is connected to a gastric port 8 provided at the proximal end of the laryngeal mask airway device via connector 6. The connector 6 comprises one or more vent holes 12 to allow for air to be removed from the apparatus during use. The laryngeal mask airway device 4 is inserted into a patient in the usual manner associated with devices of this type. Regurgitated fluid from the patient is passed through the laryngeal mask airway device 4 and into container 2. Advantageously, this reduces the risk of medical personnel and/or other people in proximity to the patient being exposed to potential contamination from the patient, thus reducing the possible spread of disease.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 1, there is provided a kit comprising apparatus 2 and a laryngeal mask airway device 4, wherein the apparatus 2 is configured to collect regurgitated fluid such as blood and/or stomach fluid from a patient during use (e.g. during insertion) of the laryngeal mask airway device.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 1, there is also provided a method of of using apparatus 2 in combination with a laryngeal mask airway device 4, wherein the method involves the steps of attaching the apparatus 2 to the laryngeal mask airway device 4, inserting the laryngeal mask airway device into the airway of a patient and collecting regurgitated fluid from the patient. Preferably, the apparatus is connected to the laryngeal mask airway device by means of a connector 6. Preferably, the connector 6 is attached to a gastric port 8 provided on the laryngeal mask airway device.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 1, there is also provided a method of manufacturing a laryngeal mask airway device 4 comprising apparatus 2, comprising the steps of providing apparatus 2 and attaching the apparatus 2 to a laryngeal mask airway device 4. It is preferred that the apparatus 2 is attached to the laryngeal mask airway device 4 by means of a connector 6 provided on the apparatus. Preferably, the connector 6 is attached to a gastric port 8 provided on the laryngeal mask airway device.