U.S. patent application number 13/130467 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for larynx mask having a connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to DELTONA INNOVATIONS AG. Invention is credited to Werner F. Dubach.
Application Number | 20110226256 13/130467 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40973563 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110226256 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dubach; Werner F. |
September 22, 2011 |
LARYNX MASK HAVING A CONNECTOR
Abstract
The invention relates to a larynx mask comprising a dorsal cover
plate with an inflatable cuff integrally formed thereon and a tube
connecting connector to a plug region having an adjoining insertion
section for connecting to an insertion tube. Two separate lumens
are provided in the region of the insertion section, these being
the esophageal lumen and a respiration lumen. Said two lumens are
separated from each other by a separating or supporting wall. Said
separating or supporting wall runs from the insertion section to
the tip of the larynx mask. While the esophageal lumen opens into
the esophageal outlet at the proximal end, the respiration lumen
opens in the ventral direction, while the lumen is closed in the
proximal direction close to the tip. Such a larynx mask can be
produced in one piece by way of injection molding and at the same
time is reinforced by the separating or supporting wall to prevent
kinking.
Inventors: |
Dubach; Werner F.; (Maur,
CH) |
Assignee: |
DELTONA INNOVATIONS AG
Maur
CH
|
Family ID: |
40973563 |
Appl. No.: |
13/130467 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
November 19, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CH09/00370 |
371 Date: |
May 20, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/207.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/04 20130101;
B29C 65/48 20130101; A61M 16/0409 20140204; A61M 16/0447 20140204;
A61M 16/0486 20140204; A61M 16/0427 20140204; B29L 2031/753
20130101; A61M 2207/10 20130101; A61M 16/0415 20140204; A61M
16/0816 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/207.14 |
International
Class: |
A61M 16/06 20060101
A61M016/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 27, 2008 |
CH |
1860/2008 |
Claims
1. A larynx mask comprising a dorsal cover plate with a
circumferential inflatable cuff formed thereon and a tube
connecting connector for connecting to at least one insertion tube,
which comprises an air supply lumen and an oesophageal lumen,
whereby the tube connecting connector has an insertion section,
wherein there is a separating and supporting wall running from
dorsal to ventral, which is formed at least approximately centrally
on the cover plan and runs in a longitudinal direction of the
larynx mask passing through it from distal to at least
approximately its dorsal end and forming the partition between a
closed lumen as the oesophageal lumen and an open lumen as a
respiration lumen, which opens out into a respiration chamber which
can be sealed under the cover plate by the cuff.
2. The larynx mask of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the
respiration lumen is larger than the cross-section of the
oesophageal lumen in the opening area of the insertion
connection.
3. The larynx mask of claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the
respiration lumen is smaller than the cross-section of the
oesophageal lumen in the opening area of the tube connecting
connector.
4. The larynx mask of claim 1 wherein the separating and supporting
wall of the larynx mask runs perpendicularly to the cover
plate.
5. The larynx mask of claim 1 wherein at the proximal end of the
larynx mask the separating and supporting well runs to the
oesophageal outlet which is formed by an opening in the cover plate
so that the oesophageal outlet extends above it over the cuff.
6. The larynx mask of claim 1 wherein the insertion section is
limited by a projection narrowing the cross-section and serving as
a stop for the insertion tube to be inserted.
7. The larynx mask of claim 1 wherein the respiration chamber is
delimited by a circumferential adhesive or welding edge which runs
from the cover plate to the cuff.
8. The larynx mask of claim 7 wherein the separating and supporting
well extends from the cover plate to maximally down into the plane
spanned by the circumferential adhesive or welding wall.
9. The larynx mask of claim 1 wherein the separating and supporting
wall has a proximally closed, sack-like intermediate space for
accommodating a reinforcing element.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a larynx mask, comprising a
dorsal cover plate with an inflatable cuff (5) circumferentially
formed thereon and a tube connecting connector for connecting to at
least one insertion tube which comprises an air supply lumen and an
oesophageal lumen, whereby the tube connecting connection has an
insertion section.
[0002] Larynx masks of this type are known in many forms of
embodiment and are inserted by means of a tube, known as a
supraglottic tube, through the middle of the pharynx via the
epiglottis of an anaesthetised patient. Larynx masks are usually
supplied as a unit with the supraglottic tube formed on or attached
thereto. This serves to keep open the airways and to ventilate a
patient. At the same time such larynx masks also allow the
introduction of tubes, probes, optical instruments and other
instruments into the respiratory tract. More and more frequently
such larynx masks have an oesophageal access. This allows the
introduction of tubes into the oesophagus and the stomach in order
to remove gastric juice and other fluids as well as air from the
stomach. In anaesthetised patients emptying of the stomach is
intended to prevent the stomach contents flowing back into the
upper respiratory tract and being aspirated into the unprotected
airways (windpipe, bronchi and lungs). A further advantage of an
oesophageal access is the removal of passively or actively
regurgitated stomach contents from the upper oesophagus to outside,
which thereby represents limited, and thus inadequate, aspiration
protection.
[0003] A large number of different larynx masks are known on the
market. A typical example is set out in U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,745.
This shows a gastro-laryngeal mask in which the supraglottic tube
is a pipe through which several tubes can be fed. These tubes have
lumens which are used for ventilation and for an oesophageal
access. As a tube the oesophageal access must be passed through the
entire larynx mask, fastened and passed through an outlet passing
through the cuff. This is extremely time-consuming and requires a
great deal of work.
[0004] Inserting a larynx mask is not always easy. Larynx marks
with a relatively rigid supraglottic tube can be introduced more
easily, whereby the rigidity prevents adaptation of the position of
the larynx mask to the anatomical conditions. Insertion into the
pharyngeal cavity by means of a relatively rigid supraglottic tube
can result in injury, and positioning in the pharyngeal cavity is
not always reliable.
[0005] Highly flexible larynx masks with corresponding highly
flexible supraglottic tubes allow better positioning in the larynx
but are more difficult and therefore occasionally more traumatic to
insert and more difficult to position in the pharynx. More
particularly, if often happens that when inserting such highly
flexible larynx masks the proximal end of the larynx mask, known as
the tip, is bent over. This means that reliable sealing of the
larynx mask is no longer present. To remedy this problem a more
rigid material can be resorted to, whereby, however, the advantages
of the highly flexible materials are lost. The result is traumatic
effects in the central pharyngeal cavity. Even with a slightly
increased air pressure in the cuff this problem cannot always
reliably be solved. In the larynx masks known today, the
oesophageal outlet always passes through the cuff. This complicates
the entire manufacturing of the larynx mask. If kinking or even
just slightly greater bending of the tip of the larynx mask occurs
the oesophageal outlet is mostly then no longer free and an
instrument or a tube can no longer be passed through.
[0006] A larynx mask is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,745 in which
the larynx mask itself is made more rigid by passing through an
oesophageal access in the longitudinal direction. This oesophageal
access is placed in the centre. Although this increases the
longitudinal rigidity of the larynx mask it unfavourably affects
its height. Also, the patient's pharynx must be protected by means
of an additional inflatable dorsal cuff.
[0007] From WO 2006/125986 and US 2003/0037790 different versions
of larynx masks are known in which the oesophageal access is formed
either by a separately insertable tube or by an integrally formed
lumen. In both cases, however, the course of the oesophageal
opening in the mid longitudinal axis has the aforementioned
disadvantages.
[0008] A presumably not manufacturable larynx mask is shown by a
solution in which the insertion tube runs from outside the patient
continuously to the tip of the oesophageal outlet and two integral
cuffs are present on the one hand to delimit the respiration
chamber and on the other hand to seal the oesophageal outlet.
[0009] It is therefore the dual aim of the present invention, in
addition to avoiding the described drawbacks of the prior art, to
improve a larynx mask in such a way that it is easier to produce
and, more particularly, so that difficult insertion of a tube for
forming the oesophageal passage can be avoided, and that even with
the use of a highly flexible material said problems no longer
occur, or their occurrence is greatly reduced.
[0010] This aim is achieved by a larynx mask in accordance with the
introductory section of claim 1 which is characterised in that the
tube connecting connector after an insertion section has a
separating or supporting wall running in the longitudinal direction
of the larynx mask from its distal to at least approximately its
proximal end and separating a closed lumen as the oesophageal lumen
and an open lumen as a respiration lumen, which opens into a
respiration space under the cover plate which can be sealed by the
cuff.
[0011] Overall the longitudinal division in accordance with the
invention of the area of the larynx mask below the cover plate by
way of separating and supporting wall brings about a strengthening
of the larynx mask against kinking, whereby the first part of the
task is achieved, while at the same time, as the separating wall is
part of a continuous closed lumen, serving as the oesophageal
lumen, the entire manufacture of the larynx mask is considerably
simplified with regard to its assembly. Thus it is no longer
necessary for a separate tube to be pulled through the larynx mask
and attached therein, but the oesophageal lumen is formed in one
piece with the larynx mask. Due the straight course and conical
narrowing of the oesophageal opening from the tube connecting
connection with the largest diameter to the outlet opening defining
the smallest diameter, by means of a simple slide such an opening
can be manufactured in one piece.
[0012] In the drawings a preferred example of embodiment of the
subject matter of the invention is shown and is explained with the
aid of the following description.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective overall view of a larynx mask in
accordance with the invention looking at the dorsal cover plate,
while
[0014] FIG. 2 again shows a perspective overall view of the same
larynx mask, but looking at the ventrally arranged cuff.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a vertical view of the larynx mask on the
ventral side and
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the larynx mask
in the direction of the course of the oesophageal lumen.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through the larynx mask in the
area of an insertion section looking towards the proximal end and
the oesophageal outlet 6.
[0018] FIG. 6 again shows a cross-section through the same larynx
mask in the central area of the longitudinal extent of the larynx
mask whereby the direction of viewing is again towards the proximal
end, while
[0019] FIG. 7 shows the same cross-section at the same point, but
looking towards the distal end of the larynx mask.
[0020] FIG. 1 shows the larynx mask which is denoted overall with
1. An insertion tube is attached to this larynx mask but is not
shown in the drawing. However, for this a tube connecting connector
2 is used. This tube connecting connector 2 transits into a cover
plate 3 and cuff 5 also formed thereon in one piece. The entire
larynx mask 1 from the tube connecting connection 2 on the distal
end to the tip 4 on the proximal end of the larynx mask is produced
in one piece and accordingly all of the same synthetic material. In
the view in accordance with FIG. 1 the circumferential cuff 5 can
be seen which only on the proximal end at the tip 4 is reduced in
diameter by an oesophageal outlet 6 whereas at the distal end the
cuff 5 passes through under the tube connecting connection 2. At
the proximal end the oesophageal outlet 6 passes over the cuff 5 in
a type of channel.
[0021] The cuff 5 is produced by open injection moulding. In
particular, in the cross-section drawings 6 and 7, but also in the
view in accordance with FIG. 2, a circumferential thickened
adhesive, welding wall 13, practically following the peripheral
edge of the cover 3, can be seen, while at the same time the lower
edge of the cuff 5, here still shown as open, is also provided with
a circumferential adhesive, welding edge 15. Only through adhering
or welding the adhesive, welding edge 15 to the corresponding
circumferential adhesive, welding wall 13 is the closed
circumferential cuff 5 produced. This cuff 5 inflated and deflated
via a ventilation connection 8 which is on the ventral side of the
tube connecting connection 2. This ventilation connection 8 can be
clearly seen in FIG. 2-4.
[0022] The circumferential adhesive or welding wall 13 delimits a
respiration chamber 7 below the cover plate 3.
[0023] As has already been stated an insertion tube, which is not
shown here, is introduced into the tube connecting connection 2.
This insertion tube advantageously, but not necessarily, consists
of a single plastic tube with two lumens which in terms of shape
and size are matched to the lumens present in the larynx mask. To
make this connection of the larynx mask to the insertion tube as
simple as possible, the tube connecting connection 2 has a plug
section 16 which can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 4. The
plug section 16 is not divided into two lumens, as preferably an
insertion tube is insert here which has two lumens in the same form
as in the insertion section 12 following on from the plug section
16. This insertion section 12 runs at least approximately under the
area in which the two lumens 10 and 11 extend over the cuff 5.
Although in FIG. 4 it appears as if these areas pass under the cuff
5, this is only due to illustration in which the ventral side is
shown facing upwards instead of the dorsal side.
[0024] Following the plug section 16 of the tube connecting
connection 2 there is, as has been stated, an insertion section 12.
In this area two separate lumens can be seen which are both closed
in this area, namely the oesophageal lumen 10 and the respiration
lumen 11. This is most clearly seen in FIG. 5. Running between
these two lumens 10 and 11 at least approximately perpendicularly
to the cover 3 is a separating and supporting wall 9. Through this
separating and supporting wall which passes through the larynx mask
in around the middle, the larynx mask is provided overall with
increased rigidity which counteracts any kinking.
[0025] In an advantageous embodiment the separating and supporting
wall 9 can have a sack-like intermediate chamber which is closed
until near to the tip and which can accommodate a reinforcing
element.
[0026] The thickened adhesive, welding wall 13, which is not in
cross-section in FIG. 5, increases the rigidity of the larynx mask.
It can be clearly seen that the cuff it not yet closed by welding
or adhesion and accordingly the adhesive and/or welding edges 15
can be seen.
[0027] After the end of the insertion section 12 the oesophageal
lumen 10 continues to be closed, while the respiration lumen 11
opens into a practically U-shaped channel as can be clearly seen in
FIGS. 6 and 7. Both figures show the same cross-section at the same
point, but in FIG. 6 the view is directed towards the distal end.
The separating and supporting wall 9 remains unchanged through the
absence of the ventral wall section of the respiration lumen 11. In
these figures it can also be seen that the diameter of the two
lumens, namely the oesophageal lumen 10 and the respiration lumen
11, and therefore also the separating and supporting wall 9 runs
downwards from the cover plate 3 in the ventral direction less far
from the cover plate 3 than the circumferential adhesive or welding
wall 13. The end of this adhesive or welding wall 13 spans a plane
and this plane is neither pierced by the two lumens 10 and 11 nor
by the wall 9. In this way a relatively large respiration chamber 7
remains under the two lumens 10 and 11 and the separating and
supporting wall 9. It can be seen that after the insertion section
12 from where the respiration lumen 11 opens out this space
directly merges with the respiration chamber 7. In FIG. 6 which
shows the diametric section through the larynx mask looking towards
the proximal end, it can be seen that the oesophageal lumen 10 is
open towards the oesophageal outlet 6, while the respiration lumen
11 is limited in the proximal direction by the adhesive or welding
wall 13.
[0028] As has already been stated the insertion tube is not shown
here. Preferably, in cross-section such an insertion tube will be
shaped like the tube connecting connector 2 in the cross-section
area in accordance with FIG. 5. However, this is not obligatory.
For example, an adapter, into which two individual tubes open which
together form an insertion tube 2, can be inserted into the plug
areas 16 up to the projection 14.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0029] 1. Larynx mask [0030] 2. Tune connecting connection [0031]
3. Cover plate [0032] 4. Tip of the larynx mask [0033] 5. Cuff
[0034] 6. Oesophageal outlet [0035] 7. Respiration chamber [0036]
8. Cuff ventilation connection [0037] 9. Separating and supporting
wall [0038] 10. Oesophageal lumen [0039] 11. Respiration lumen
[0040] 12. Insertion section [0041] 13. Adhesive, welding wall
[0042] 14. Projection [0043] 15. Adhesive, welding edge [0044] 16.
Plug area
* * * * *