DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED DYSPHAGIA

Abstract

The present disclosure describes an endotracheal ventilator tube for the treatment of dysphagia comprising an elongate tube and at least one electrode positioned on or about the elongate tube, wherein the at least one electrode is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the oropharyngeal region and is electrically connected to an electrical stimulation generating means.

Claims

1. An endotracheal ventilator tube for the treatment of dysphagia comprising: an elongate tube; and at least one electrode positioned on or about the elongate tube, wherein the at least one electrode is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the oropharyngeal region and is electrically connected to an electrical stimulation generating means.

2. The endotracheal ventilator tube according to claim 1, wherein the elongate tube is changeable between a first configuration, in which it has a first shape, and a second configuration, in which it has a second shape, different to the first.

3. The endotracheal ventilator tube according to claim 1, further comprising a sleeve selectively positionable around the elongate tube, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the sleeve.

4. The endotracheal ventilator tube according to claim 3, wherein the sleeve is split longitudinally along its length.

5. The endotracheal tube according to claim 4, wherein the at least one electrode is formed from a flexible printed conductive material.

6. The endotracheal ventilator tube according to claim 2, wherein the elongate tube is resiliently biased in a pre-curved configuration.

7. An endotracheal ventilator tube comprising an elongate tube, wherein the elongate tube comprises at least one channel for receiving a catheter.

8. (canceled)

9. A method of treating ventilator associated or neurogenic dysphagia, the method comprising: inserting a ventilation tube as claimed in claim 1 into a patient, either orally or nasally; positioning the ventilation tube such that the at least one electrode is located proximate a pre-defined target tissue; and stimulating the pre-defined target tissue by electrical stimulation.

10. The method of treating ventilator associated dysphagia according to claim 9 wherein the step of inserting the catheter into a patient orally or nasally further comprises inserting the catheter into the longitudinal channel of the ventilator tube according to claim 7.

11. The method of treating ventilator associated dysphagia according to claim 9, further comprising expanding the shape of the ventilator tube to urge a portion of the ventilator tube against the target tissue.

12-14. (canceled)

15. The endotracheal ventilator tube according to claim 2, further comprising a sleeve selectively positionable around the elongate tube, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the sleeve.

16. The method of treating ventilator associated dysphagia according to claim 10, further comprising expanding the shape of the ventilator tube to urge a portion of the ventilator tube against the target tissue.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0039] The following drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a device for administering electrical stimulation to a patient's pharyngeal tissue;

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a device for administering electrical stimulation to a patient's pharyngeal tissue;

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of a device for administering electrical stimulation to a patient's pharyngeal tissue.

DESCRIPTION

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device (10) for administering electrical stimulation to a patient's pharynx. The device (10) comprises a ventilator tube (12) with at least one electrode (14, 16) located on its outer surface in such a position that when the ventilator tube (12) is properly inserted into a patient, the at least one electrode (14, 16) is aligned and in contact with the target pharyngeal mucosa. The device (10) additionally comprises conducting wires (18) located within the walls of the ventilator tube (12) extending from the at least one electrode (14, 16) and terminating at a connector (20) suitable for attachment to a control unit (22).

[0044] The control unit (20) comprises electrical current generating means for delivering an electrical current to the at least one electrode (14, 16) and a control interface means (24) for selectively varying the delivered electrical current.

[0045] A further feature of this first embodiment is a pre-curved fixed shape that advantageously brings the electrodes into better contact with target pharyngeal mucosa. A further feature of the first embodiment of the device (10) provides a means to selectively change the shape of the ventilator tube, or a portion of the ventilator tube, such that the at least one electrode is brought into better contact with the patient's pharyngeal mucosa. Examples of such means of selectively changing the shape of the ventilator tube include a guide wire inserted longitudinally through the tube or walls of the tube, structures within or inserted into the tube with spring like properties including those with regions of different spring tension along the length of the ventilator tube and also inflatable features (12).

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device for administering electrical stimulation. The device (100) comprises a sleeve (102) split (118) along its length with at least one electrode (104, 106) located on its outer surface, conducting wires (108) along its length and a connector (110) suitable for attachment to a control unit (112). The control unit (112) comprises electrical current generating means for delivering an electrical current to the at least one electrode (104, 106) and a control interface means (114) for selectively varying the delivered electrical current.

[0047] The sleeve (102) is configured such that it can be reversibly positioned around a standard endotracheal ventilator tube (116) and secured in place. The sleeve (102) may also be capable of being moved along the length of the endotracheal ventilator tube (116) and being reversibly fixed into position longitudinally as required in order to position the electrodes (104, 106) optimally. The sleeve (102) may also be capable of being added to or removed from the endotracheal ventilator tube (116) after the endotracheal ventilator tube has been inserted into a patient. The electrodes (104, 106) may be formed from a flexible printed conductive material.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a device for administering electrical stimulation. The device (200) is a pre-curved endotracheal ventilator tube (202) oriented such that the exterior surface of the curve of the endotracheal ventilator tube (202) is substantially in contact with the posterior wall of a patient's pharynx. The device (200) further comprises a channel (204) disposed within the curved surface designed to receive a treatment catheter (206) comprising at least one electrode (208, 210) and urges the at least one electrode (208, 210) into contact with the preferred contact area on the posterior wall of the patient's pharynx. If the treatment catheter (206) is also designed to provide nutritional support it may act to facilitate passage of the tip of the catheter into the oesophagus and onwards to the stomach whether introduced nasally or orally.