Binasopharyngeal Airway

Abstract

An elastomeric nasopharyngeal airway comprising a tubular portion open at one end for receiving a gas supply device and two nasopharyngeal tube sections connected at the opposite end for insertion through the nose and nasopharynx. The tube sections each have diametrically opposed internal ridges which engage each other upon bending of the tube sections to prevent complete collapse which might otherwise obstruct or restrict passage of gas through the tube sections. Tip formations on the tube sections divert the gas streams to impinge on each other and thus reduce direct impingement of the gas streams on the surrounding portions of the patient's tissues.

Description

Background Of The Invention

This invention relates to means for introducing an anesthesia gas or the like by the use of a nasopharyngeal airway and has particular reference to a nasopharyngeal tube insertable through the nasopharynx.

Flexible nasopharyngeal tubes of the above type have been used heretofore. However, those of which I am aware, comprise a single tube or tubes insertable through the nose, the nasopharynx and into the trachea. In cases where two tubes have been used, special manifold means or separate gas supply means must be supplied for both tubes. Also, because of the curvature of the nasal passages and the fact that the tubes must be bent to connect the same to the gas supply devices in different manners, there exists the possibility of sharply bending or kinking the tubes and thus cutting off or severly restricting the flow of anesthesia gas therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to my present invention, a one piece nasopharyngeal airway is provided of relatively soft elastomeric material comprising a tubular portion open at one end to receive a gas supply device and connected at its opposite end to two divergent nasopharyngeal tube sections of equal length. The tube sections are formed with inwardly extending ridges which stiffen the tube sections against sharp bends and which also engage each other in the event the tube sections are sharply bent so as to maintain open communication through such bent portions.

Further, the ends of the tube sections terminate in tips which deflect the two gas streams into impingement with each other to dissipate the force of such streams so that they will not directly strike against the surrounding tissue of the pharynx which might otherwise cause irritation.

The above and other features of the invention will be more readily understood on reference to the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic sagital section of the head and upper neck showing especially the nasopharyngeal airway embodying a preferred form of the present invention and showing the same inserted through a patient's nose and nasopharynx and permitting the distal tips of the tube sections to lie in the pharynx.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the airway.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view of one of the nasopharyngeal tube sections and is taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the tube section in a condition which exists as a result of an excessive sharp bend.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the tip of one of the tube sections.

FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view of a modified form of the invention and is taken in the same direction as is FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, a binasopharyngeal airway according to the present invention is illustrated generally at 11 and is formed of a single piece of molded latex or other relatively soft elastomeric material. The airway comprises a main tubular portion 12 having an internal diameter sufficient to receive a standard endotracheal male connector of either the straight type as indicated by the dot-dash lines 14 or the 90.degree. type as shown by dot-dash lines 15, the latter being connected to a suitable gas supply through tubing 19. The tubular portion 12 communicates at its lower end with two spaced and parallel nasopharyngeal tube sections 16 and 17 of equal length and of sufficient length to be passed into the patient's pharynx.

Each tube section terminates at its lower end in a tip 18 (see also FIG. 5) for diverting the gas stream passing through the tube section at an angle to the length of such section. For this purpose, the tip 18 is formed with an inclined open end 20 and the portion of the tube section adjacent the apex of such inclined end is curved as shown at 21 to deflect the gas stream inwardly and generally in the other tip. Therefore, when gas is forced through the airway, the two divergent gas streams passing through the tube sections 16 and 17 impinge on each other and are the dispersed within the pharynx. The curved portion 21 also results in a relatively blunt leading end to facilitate insertion of the tube sections through the nasal passages, etc.

As is well known, in certain types of operations, it is desirable that the gas supply be located beyond the patient's head, in which case it is desirable to use a 90.degree.connector, i.e., 15, whereas in other types of operations it is desirable that the gas inlet be located adjacent the patient's body in which case a straight connector, i.e., 14, is preferably used to reduce bending of the nasopharyngeal tube. Nevertheless, some amount of bending of the tube sections 16 and 17 will occur and because of the soft, pliant nature of the tube sections there is a possibility that they may be accidentally sharply bent which might otherwise greatly restrict the passage of gas therethrough. In order to prevent complete collapse of the tube sections, I preform the latter with diametrically opposed inwardly extending ridges 22 and 23, preferably extending along the length of the upper end portions of the tube sections 16 and 17. Such ridges 22 and 23 are located in a plane passing through the center of the respective tube sections, which plane extends at right angles to a plane passing through the centers of both tube sections. Such ridges 22 and 23 not only stiffen the tube sections against bending but also, when such tube sections are bent sharply, engage each other as shown in FIG. 4 to prevent complete collapse, leaving diametrically opposite conduit sections 24 and 25 as shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MODIFIED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 6 illustrates the modified form of the invention in which each tube section is formed with a circular outer circumference but is thickened at diametrically opposite points to form inwardly extending ridges 26 and 27 which perform the same function as the ridges 22 and 23.

Claims

I claim:

1. A pharyngeal airway comprising

a one-piece tubular member of elastomeric material,

said member having a tubular portion open at one end to receive a gas supply device, and

a pair of spaced nasopharyngeal tube sections communicating with said tubular portion at the opposite end of said tubular portion,

the ends of said tubular sections remote from said tubular portion being inclined oppositely to each other, and

the passages of said tube sections adjacent the apices of said inclined ends curving inwardly toward each other whereby to deflect the respective gas streams into impingement with each other.