Nasopharyngeal airway device and method of use
AssigneeEpic Corporation
InventorIvan Dunlap
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nasopharyngeal airway device has a tubular body with a securement assembly disposed at the proximal end thereof. The tubular body may include a plurality of apertures along the sidewall thereof. The securement assembly can include a flared flange and an outwardly extending locking protrusion. During use, the tubular body is positioned within the nasal passageway. The locking protrusion is bent and also inserted into the nasal passageway so as to secure the nasopharyngeal airway device in place.
Claims31
A nasopharyngeal airway device configured to be placed within a nasal passageway of a patient, the device comprising:
- a tubular body having an interior surface extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the interior surface at least partially bounding an air passage, the tubular body being adapted to be received within a nasal passageway;
- and
- a securement assembly disposed at the proximal end of the tubular body, the securement assembly comprising:
- a flange that outwardly projects from the proximal end of the tubular body;
- and
- a flexible locking protrusion terminating at a tip, the locking protrusion being configured such that at least the tip of the locking protrusion can be disposed within the nasal passageway when the tubular body is disposed within the nasal passageway and at least a portion of the retention member is disposed outside of the nasal passageway.
A nasopharyngeal airway device configured to be placed within a nasal passageway of a patient, the device comprising:
- a tubular body having an interior surface extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the interior surface at least partially bounding an air passage;
- means for limiting advancement the tubular body into a nasal passageway, the means for limiting being disposed at the proximal end of the tubular body;
- and
- means for securing the tubular body within the nasal passageway, at least a portion of the means for securing biasing against a lining of the nasal passageway during use.
A method comprising:
- advancing a distal end of a tubular nasopharyngeal airway device through a nostril opening and into a nasal passageway of a patient, the nasopharyngeal airway device having a proximal end that is larger than the nostril opening;
- and
- inserting at least a terminal tip of a resiliently flexible locking protrusion that projects from the proximal end of the nasopharyngeal airway device into the nasal passageway so that the locking protrusion biases against the lining of the nasal passageway, thereby securing the nasopharyngeal airway device within the nasal passageway.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.