INTUBATING AIRWAY DEVICE

Abstract

An airway device for human or animal use includes an airway tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is surrounded by a laryngeal cuff configured to fit over the laryngeal inlet of a patient when in situ. The first end of the airway tube is provided with an intubating ramp configured to direct a tube inserted through the airway tube into the laryngeal inlet of the patient when in situ.

Claims

1. An airway device for human or animal use comprising an airway tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is surrounded by a laryngeal cuff configured to fit over the laryngeal inlet of a patient when in situ, wherein the first end of the airway tube is provided with an intubating ramp configured to direct a tube inserted through the airway tube into the laryngeal inlet of the patient when in situ wherein the intubating ramp is provided with a groove which runs longitudinally along the full length of the intubating ramp from the first end to the second end of the longitudinal ramp.

2. The airway device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intubating ramp is provided on the internal wall of the dorsal side of the airway tube.

3. The airway device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first end of the airway tube is of greater diameter than the remainder of the airway tube.

4. The airway device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the internal wall of the ventral side of the airway tube is flattened.

5. The airway device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the intubating ramp is provided with a plurality of grooves.

6. The airway device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tip of the laryngeal cuff is elongate.

7. The airway device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tip of the laryngeal cuff is provided with a protrusion on the back dorsal side thereof.

8. The airway device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a side wall of the second end of the airway tube is provided with a supplementary gas inlet.

9. The airway device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first end of the airway tube is of widened diameter or flared.

10. The airway device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first end of the airway tube is of greater diameter than the remainder of the airway tube.

11. The airway device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the internal wall of the ventral side of the airway tube is flattened.

12. The airway device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the intubating ramp is provided with a plurality of grooves.

13. The airway device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tip of the laryngeal cuff is elongate.

14. The airway device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tip of the laryngeal cuff is provided with a protrusion on the back dorsal side thereof.

15. The airway device as claimed in claim 2 wherein a side wall of the second end of the airway tube is provided with a supplementary gas inlet.

16. The airway device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first end of the airway tube is of widened diameter or flared.

17. The airway device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the internal wall of the ventral side of the airway tube is flattened.

18. The airway device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the intubating ramp is provided with a plurality of grooves.

19. The airway device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tip of the laryngeal cuff is elongate.

20. The airway device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tip of the laryngeal cuff is provided with a protrusion on the back dorsal side thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a part cross-sectional view of the laryngeal cuff of the prior art;

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a part cross-sectional view of the laryngeal cuff according to a first embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a front ventral perspective view of the laryngeal cuff according to a first embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the laryngeal cuff according to a first embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a back dorsal view of the laryngeal cuff according to a first embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the supplementary gas inlet according to a first embodiment; and

[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the airway device according to a first embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only. These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the applicant although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, these illustrate an airway device 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The airway device 10 has an airway tube 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. The second end 16 optionally terminates in a 15 mm or other connector 18 suitable for connection to an anaesthetic breathing system of conventional type. Formed around the first end 14 of the airway tube is a laryngeal cuff 20. In the embodiment illustrated the laryngeal cuff 20 is non inflatable and is adapted in its shape and contours to correspond with the laryngeal inlet region of a patient.

[0036] The first end 14 of the airway tube 12 is also provided with an intubating ramp 22 configured to direct an endotracheal tube (or another other applicable tube or device) inserted through the airway tube 12 into the laryngeal inlet of the patient when the airway device 10 is in situ within a patient. The intubating ramp 22 ensures that the endotracheal tube, when inserted through the airway tube, follows its natural curve, rather than the curve of the airway tube 12, and guides the endotracheal tube into the laryngeal inlet of the patient when the airway device 10 is in situ in a patient.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated the intubating ramp 22 is provided on the internal wall of the back dorsal side of the airway tube 12. In the alternative the intubating ramp 22 can instead be provided on the internal surface of the back dorsal side of the laryngeal cuff 20.

[0038] In addition to the provision of intubating ramp 22, the first end 14 of the airway tube 12 is of greater diameter and thus wider than the remainder of the airway tube 12. In the embodiment illustrated the internal surface of the front ventral side 24 of the airway tube 12 is flattened rather than curved to provide this widening. This further enables the endotracheal tube, when inserted through the airway tube 12, to follow its natural curve, rather than the curve of the airway tube 12 and works in combination with the intubating ramp 22.

[0039] In the embodiment illustrated the intubating ramp 22 is optionally provided with two channels 26, 28 that run longitudinally along the full length of the intubating ramp 22 from the first end to the second end thereof. The provision of the intubating ramp 22 reduces the depth of the internal cavity of the laryngeal cuff 20, this means that should the airway device 10 be sub-optimally inserted that there is risk that the airway of the patient could become partially occluded. The provision of the channels 26, 28 ensures the patency of the airflow through the airway device 10 into the airway of the patient without compromising the effect of the intubating ramp 22.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated the tip 30 of the laryngeal cuff 20 is elongate compared to the prior art device illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition the tip 30 of the laryngeal cuff 20 is provided with a protrusion or bump 32 on the back dorsal side thereof. The elongate nature of the tip 30 of the laryngeal cuff 20 along with the dorsal protrusion or bump 32 both assist to provide an improved oesophageal seal when the airway device 10 is in situ in the patient. By providing an improved oesophageal seal there is reduced risk of inflation of the stomach of the patient, and a reduced risk of regurgitation entering into the airway of the patient.

[0041] In addition in the embodiment illustrated a side wall of the second end 16 of the airway tube 12 has been provided with an optional supplementary gas inlet 34, more particularly the supplementary gas inlet 34 is formed as part of connector 18, however in the alternative it may be separate from connector 18. The supplementary gas inlet 34 allows for additional oxygen or other gas to be provided to the patient if required.

[0042] In one alternative the laryngeal cuff is non-inflatable and is formed from any suitable soft plastics material. By way of a preferred softness (hardness) range, on the Shore A scale of Hardness, a hardness of less than 40 for the face of the laryngeal cuff that contacts the laryngeal inlet is optimum. By way of a preferred range, a value on the same scale of 000 to 20 is preferred, with a particularly preferred range of 000 to 4. The softness of the laryngeal cuff can be further adapted by forming cavities or channels within the body of the cuff itself.

[0043] In a further alternative the laryngeal cuff may be pre-filled with a fluid such as air, or other non-toxic gas, or a non-toxic liquid. In this context the term fluid has a broad meaning and includes any suitable gas, liquid, vapour or combination thereof and will be determined and designed by an expert in this field of anatomy/anaesthesia in conjunction with the materials specialist. The laryngeal cuff will be constructed of such a material which will not allow nitrous oxide (anaesthetic gas) to diffuse through the material to any significant amount so that the extra luminal pressure is kept constant. It follows therefore that the laryngeal cuff should be substantially impermeable to the fluid with which is filled and to anaesthetic gases.

[0044] Alternatively, the laryngeal cuff can be formed from a soft, foamed material or can be foam filled. In either case this provides a soft deformable but shaped surface around the face of the laryngeal cuff to engage over the anatomy of the larynx inlet region. Such a foam filled device will minimise any potential damage to the structures in that region whilst still providing a substantially complete seal.

[0045] Further in the alternative the laryngeal cuff is pre-filled during manufacture with a fluid in which case the lining of the cuff should be made from a material that does not absorb anaesthetic gases such as Nitrous Oxide, such that the pressure inside the cuff does not rise during use.

[0046] In another alternative the laryngeal cuff may be formed from a material which is adapted to absorb a liquid, such as water, mucous or blood or similar liquid material and in doing so to swell in size so as to confirm to the anatomical mucocartilagenous framework of the patient's laryngeal inlet. Such materials will be selected by the materials specialist but include CRM (cotton rayon mixes) as used in TAMPAX tampons, or compressed Gel Foam 5.

[0047] In a further, alternative, the laryngeal cuff could take the form of a conventional, inflatable laryngeal cuff. The technology to form an inflatable laryngeal cuff is well known and need not be described here.

[0048] Finally, in yet another alternative, the laryngeal cuff may be hollow, but not inflatable in the traditional sense of the word, and instead Positive Pressure Ventilation is employed to inflate and self-pressurise the laryngeal cuff.

[0049] Also in the embodiment illustrated a buccal cavity stabiliser 36 has been provided around the airway tube 12 between the laryngeal cuff 20 and the second end 16 of the airway tube 12. The buccal cavity stabiliser 36 assists in locating and maintaining the position of the airway device 10 in use.

[0050] In the embodiment illustrated the buccal cavity stabiliser 36 is formed as an integral part of the airway tube 12, and further preferably the buccal cavity stabiliser 38, the airway tube 12 and the laryngeal cuff 20 are all formed as an integral unit.

[0051] In an alternative, no buccal cavity stabiliser 36 is provided.

[0052] A gastric tube passageway 38, separate to the airway tube 12 is provided which runs from an opening in the second end of the device near the connector 18 if provided to an opening in the tip of the cuff 20. The gastric tube passageway 38 allows for any gastric aspirate to be detected in the event of passive regurgitation during use. It also provides a route for the insertion of small-bore gastric tubes (e.g., Freka Tubes).

[0053] The device may be constructed from any suitable plastics material as selected by the materials specialist. Latex-free medical grade silicone rubber is one preferred material. The cuff should be soft in texture to avoid undue damage to the surrounding tissue. Other suitable materials for construction of this type of device include, but are not limited to, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), Thermoplastic Elastomers such as the styrenic block copolymers (eg Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS), Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS)), and Thermoplastic Olefin Blends (TPO), Thermoplastic PolyUrethanes (TPU), Copolyester (COPE), Polyether Block Amides (PEBAX) and foamed versions thereof, where appropriate.

[0054] A further important factor involved in the choice of a suitable material is transparency. Ideally the material or materials of construction should be substantially clear or transparent. This enables the anesthetist or operator to see the inner lumen of the airway to check for blockages or other problems. Such transparent materials are known to the materials specialist.