Device with active valve to block emesis and reflux blockage device and associated system and method
AssigneePneumoflex Systems, LLC
InventorsW. Robert ADDINGTON, Stuart P. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device blocks emesis and/or reflex and includes a tube insertable into the esophagus. The tube includes an inflation lumen. A valve is carried by the tube and includes a flexible sheath having an upper edge secured onto the tube and a lower circumferential edge. An inflatable balloon is associated with the flexible sheath and in communication with the inflation lumen. Upon inflation of the balloon, the flexible sheath opens in a concave configuration towards the stomach and the unsecured lower circumferential edge engages the esophageal wall and blocks emesis and/or reflux from the stomach passing into the esophagus past the valve.
Claims29
A device to block emesis and/or reflux, comprising:
- a tube insertable into the esophagus, said tube including an inflation lumen;
- a valve carried by the tube and comprising a flexible sheath having an upper edge secured onto the tube and lower circumferential edge;
- an inflatable balloon in communication with the inflation lumen, wherein upon inflation of the balloon, the flexible sheath opens in a concave configuration towards the stomach and the lower circumferential edge engages the esophageal wall and blocks emesis and/or reflux from the stomach passing into the esophagus past the valve.
A system for diagnosing a physiological abnormality in a patient, comprising:
- a tube insertable into the esophagus, said tube including an inflation lumen;
- a valve carried by the tube and comprising a flexible sheath having an upper edge secured onto the tube and a lower circumferential edge;
- an inflatable balloon in communication with the inflation lumen, wherein upon inflation of the balloon, the flexible sheath opens in a concave configuration towards the stomach and the lower circumferential edge engages the esophageal wall and blocks emesis and/or reflux from the stomach passing into the esophagus past the valve to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary reflex cough event;
- at least one sensor for sensing a physiological condition of the patient during the involuntary reflex cough event;
- and
- a processing device connected to the at least one sensor and configured to process the sensed physiological condition that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event to determine a physiological abnormality.
A method for diagnosing a physiological abnormality in a patient, comprising:
- inserting a tube into the esophagus and having a valve carried by the tube comprising a flexible sheath having an upper edge secured onto the tube and lower circumferential edge and an inflatable balloon in communication with the inflation lumen;
- inflating the balloon such that the flexible sheath opens in a concave configuration towards the stomach and the lower circumferential edge engages the esophageal wall to block emesis and/or reflux from the stomach passing into the esophagus past the valve to protect a patient's airway during an involuntary reflex cough event;
- administering a nebulized medication to the patient to activate an involuntary reflex cough event;
- sensing a physiological condition of the patient during the involuntary reflex cough event;
- and
- processing the sensed physiological condition that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough event to determine a physiological abnormality.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.