Tracheostomy tube monitor and alerting apparatus
OwnerDeepak Kumar Mehtainventor
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Abstract
A tracheostomy tube monitor and alerting apparatus includes: (i) a passive humidification device; and (ii) an integrated monitoring assembly fitted in an opening of a rear sidewall of the passive humidification device. The passive humidification device is configured to be connected to a connector of a tracheostomy tube of a patient. Once connected, the monitoring assembly of the apparatus can begin measuring one or more physiological parameters, such as, air flow, oxygen level, carbon dioxide level, pressure, and moisture. The measurements are compared against threshold values that denote blockage or decannulation. When these threshold values are surpassed, an alarm is actuated to alert a caregiver that the patient may be experiencing obstruction or decannulation of the tracheostomy tube.
Claims17
A tracheostomy tube monitor and alerting apparatus, comprising:
- (i) a passive humidification device, the passive humidification device connected to a connector of a tracheostomy tube;
- and
- (ii) an integrated monitoring assembly, the monitoring assembly fitted within an opening of a rear sidewall of the passive humidification device,
- wherein the opening in the rear sidewall is axially aligned with the connected tracheostomy tube,
- wherein the monitoring assembly includes a plurality of subcomponents, the subcomponents comprising:
- a microcontroller;
- a sensor;
- and
- an alarm,
- wherein the monitoring assembly includes a cover for encasing the plurality of subcomponents,
- wherein the cover is dimensioned such that its edges are flush within the opening of the rear sidewall thereby providing an airtight seal for the plurality of subcomponents, and
- wherein the cover includes a planar surface and two pairs of opposing sidewalls, and wherein each sidewall is connected to an adjacent sidewall by an elongate corner.
A method of monitoring a pediatric tracheostomy patient, comprising:
- providing a tracheostomy tube monitor and alerting apparatus, comprising:
- (i) a passive humidification device, wherein the opening in the rear sidewall is axially aligned with the connected tracheostomy tube;
- and
- (ii) an integrated monitoring assembly, the monitoring assembly fitted within an opening of a rear sidewall of the device, wherein the opening in the rear sidewall is axially aligned with a connected tracheostomy tube, wherein the monitoring assembly includes a plurality of subcomponents, a cover for encasing the plurality of subcomponents, wherein the cover is dimensioned such that its edges are flush within the opening of the rear sidewall thereby providing an airtight seal for the plurality of subcomponents, wherein the cover includes a planar surface and two pairs of opposing sidewalls, and wherein each sidewall is connected to an adjacent sidewall by an elongate corner, the subcomponents comprising:
- a microcontroller, a sensor and an alarm;
- connecting the device to a tracheostomy tube;
- monitoring one or more physiological parameters of an airflow entering the device;
- and
- automatically triggering an alarm when a parameter deviates from a predetermined baseline value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.