LARYNGEAL MASK

Abstract

A device (1) for the ventilation of a human being or animal which comprises a dome (2) having a cavity (2a), which dome (2) is attached to a laryngeal ring (3) for sealing the human being or animal's internal airways, at least one oxygen tube (4) that connects to the cavity (2a) of the dome (2), for allowing oxygen or gases to enter or leave the human being or animal's internal airways and at least one laryngeal aspiration tube (5), different from the oxygen tube (4), that also connects to the cavity (2a) of the dome (2), for allowing air and/or secretions to leave the human being or animal's internal airways.

Claims

1. A device for the ventilation of a human being or animal which comprises: a dome having a cavity, wherein the dome is attached to a laryngeal ring configured to seal the human being or animal's internal airways; at least one oxygen tube configured to connect to the cavity of the dome and allow oxygen or gases to enter or leave the human being or animal's internal airways; and at least one laryngeal aspiration tube, different from the oxygen tube, that is configured to connect to the cavity of the dome and allow air and/or secretions to leave the human being or animal's internal airways.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the laryngeal aspiration tube is between 20 and 70% of a diameter of the oxygen tube.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the laryngeal aspiration tube is between 40 and 65% of a diameter of the oxygen tube.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the laryngeal aspiration tube is about 60% of a diameter of the oxygen tube.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the laryngeal aspiration tube is the same as a diameter of the oxygen tube.

6. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a gastric aspiration tube configured to connect with a laryngeal tube orifice located at the]] a distal portion of the laryngeal ring and extract excess air and/or secretions accumulated in the human being or animal's stomach.

7. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a connection tube configured to connect on one end to the cavity of the dome and connect on an opposite end to a pressure-measuring device configured to measure a pressure existing inside the dome.

8. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a protective piece configured to surround one or more of the at least one oxygen tube, the at least one laryngeal aspiration tube, a gastric aspiration tube, and a connection tube and protect them from collapsing or biting and keep them joined together.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the laryngeal ring is inflatable.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein the laryngeal ring is not inflatable.

11. A device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one cap or plug configured to gradually or completely open or completely close at least one of the at least one oxygen tube, the at least one laryngeal aspiration tube, a gastric aspiration tube, and a connection tube.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one cap or plug is a variable aperture plug and is configured to close the laryngeal aspiration tube.

13. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an elbow piece having three openings, wherein a first one of the three openings is oxygen, a second one of the three openings is configured to allow the introduction of an extra accessory, and a third one of the three openings is configured to connect to the oxygen tube.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the extra accessory is selected from the group consisting of a fiberscope, a suction catheter, an echocardiograph, and a bogie.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a lateral view of the device (1), including the dome (2), the laryngeal ring (3) and the tubes (4) existing in this embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an elevation view of the laryngeal ring (3) and the tubes existing in this embodiment of the invention, which in this case are all those mentioned above, i.e.: the oxygen tube (4) for allowing oxygen or gases to enter or leave the patient's internal airways; the laryngeal aspiration tube (5) for allowing air and/or secretions to leave the patient's internal airways; the gastric aspiration tube (6), and the pressure-measuring tube (7).

[0024] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment which comprises the additional piece (8) which surrounds the tubes and keeps them joined together, this piece additionally having the function of preventing the patient from biting the tubes and making them collapse.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a view in perspective of the laryngeal ring and the tubes mentioned above existing in this embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment comprising the elbow piece (9) having three openings, one for the entrance of the continuous gas or oxygen flow supply (9a), other (9b) for the introduction of an extra accessory like a fiberscope, a bogie, a suction catheter or an echocardiograph, and another (9c) for the connection to the oxygen tube (4) of our laryngeal mask

[0027] Thus, the mask can be used in two ventilation modes. In either mode, the dome and the laryngeal ring are firstly introduced into the larynx of the patient. Once introduced, the laryngeal ring is inflated if required in order to seal the patient's larynx. Then, either of the following two operation modes are applied, depending on the ventilation mode chosen by the doctor or practitioner: [0028] In the standard or conventional ventilation mode, in which the device is used as a conventional laryngeal mask, the oxygen tube (4) will be open and connected to an external oxygen supply device such as an artificial respiratory machine or a ventilation bag. When in operation, through this tube the air or oxygen is alternatively forced into the internal airways of the patient, and also the breathed air is expelled out from the internal airways of the patient, thus making the function of a standard laryngeal mask working in standard or conventional ventilation mode. The laryngeal aspiration tube (5) will be plugged or closed in order to avoid interferences with the oxygen tube (4). The gastric aspiration tube (6) will be preferably open to facilitate aspiration of the gastric content and plugged to an aspiration device, and the pressure measuring tube (7) will be preferably plugged to a pressure measuring device. [0029] In the ventilation mode that supplies continuous oxygen positive pressure to the patient: in this ventilation mode the oxygen tube (4) will be open and connected to an external air and oxygen supply so that a supply of continuous or variable flow can be administered into the internal airways of the patient, and the laryngeal aspiration tube (5) will be open to a variable degree to allow the exhaled air leave outside the airways. The gastric aspiration tube (6) will be preferably open to allow the exit of the gas or gastric content in the patient's stomach and plugged to an aspiration device, and the pressure measuring tube (7) will be preferably connected to a pressure measuring gauge. In an example, such oxygen supply can be a continuous or variable flow of air or oxygen through a ventury device tap. In this way, a continuous positive pressure is kept residual in the internal airways of the patient. In this ventilation mode we can use an optional elbow piece (9) that has three openings, one for the entrance of the continuous gas or oxygen flow supply (9a), another (9b) for the introduction of an extra accessory like a fiberscope, a bogie, a suction catheter or an echocardiograph, and another opening (9c) for the connection to the oxygen tube (4) of our laryngeal mask. In this way, those extra accessories can be successfully operated according to their respective purpose while a supply of oxygen is continuously provided to the internal airways of the patient.

[0030] The mask of the invention can be used advantageously, for example: [0031] In patients with traumas, injuries, facial burns in which facial masks or the prongs used to administer continuous positive pressure placed on the patient's face is contraindicated; [0032] In patients with a beard or moustache, without teeth, macrologisa, an anatomical anomaly, goitre, and others, wherein facial masks or prongs used to administer continuous positive pressure placed on the patient's face are contraindicated because the mask does not seal properly and there are oxygen leaks on the face. [0033] In patients where it is dangerous that the continuous oxygen positive pressure supply administered with a mask face inflates the stomach of the patient, creating stomach dilatation, expansion, pain and risk of vomiting where we can develop a bronchoaspiration and a pneumonia with high mortality.

[0034] It is also useful when the positive pressure facial mask does not manage to recover the patient's normal level of oxygen saturation and there is a desire not to intubate, as well as when the patient is intolerant to the positive pressure facial mask and when it is not desirable to intubate the patient with sedation and relaxation drugs.

[0035] Also, the mask of the invention favours bronchodilation and reduces the resistance of the airway, re-expands atelectasis and allows the inspiration muscles to rest.

[0036] And it is useful when we want to keep a residual positive oxygen pressure on the dome of our laryngeal mask and on the patient airway when we want the patient to be asleep with spontaneous breathing and keep the airway reflexes.