Method and apparatus for delivery of a medicament in the oral cavity

A method of dispensing a medicament in the upper aerodigestive tract of an intubated patient comprising:

• intubating a patient;
• placing a body comprised of a substrate impregnated with a medicament to be dispensed in the upper aerodigestive tract of the patient onto the tongue of the patient by passing the tube with which the patient is to be intubated therethrough;
• stabilizing the body in the oral cavity of the upper aerodigestive tract by engagement of the mucosa of the palate and alveolar ridge;
• and
• allowing saliva to circulate around the body to facilitate the release of the medicament therefrom.

An apparatus for delivering a medicament in the upper aerodigestive tract of a patient comprising:

• a body formed of a substrate impregnated with a medicament to be delivered in the upper aerodigestive tract of a patient, said substrate being selected so as to release the medicament with which the substrate is impregnated when contacted by an aqueous solution;
• said body having a bottom surface for resting on the tongue of the patient, tapered sides and ends for engaging the mucosa of the alveolar ridge of the patient and a top surface for engaging the mucosa of the palate when the bottom surface of said body rests on the tongue, thereby stabilizing said body in the oral cavity;
• and
• a channel through said body for passage of an endotracheal tube therethrough to stabilize an endotracheal tube passing therethrough in the oral cavity of the patient by engagement of the mucosa of the oral cavity by the top, bottom and side surfaces of said body.

An apparatus for delivery of a medicament in the upper aerodigestive tract of a patient comprising:

• a body formed of a substrate impregnated with a medicament to be delivered in the upper aerodigestive tract of a patient, said body being shaped for stabilizing said body in the oral cavity of the upper aerodigestive tract of the patient by engaging the mucosa of the palate and the alveolar ridge when said body is placed on the tongue of the patient;
• an extension of said body for dispensing the medicament in the pharynx of the upper aerodigestive tract when said body is placed on the tongue of the patient;
• and
• means formed in said body for passage of an endotracheal tube therethrough, said tube passage means cooperating with the endotracheal tube to stabilize the endotracheal tube and said body in the oral cavity as a result of the engagement of the mucosa by said body.

An apparatus for delivery of a medicament in the upper aerodigestive tract of a patient comprising:

• a body formed of a substrate comprised of a silicone-containing elastomer impregnated with a medicament to be delivered in the upper aerodigestive tract of a patient;
• said body being generally ovoid shaped and having front, side, top, and bottom surfaces, the front and side surfaces for engaging the mucosa of the alveolar ridge and the top surface for engaging the mucosa of the palate when the bottom surface rests on the tongue of the patient, thereby stabilizing said body in the oral cavity of the patient while allowing sufficient clearance between the mucosa and said body to allow circulation of saliva around said body to facilitate the release of the medicament therefrom;
• and
• means formed in said body for passage of an endotracheal tube therethrough, the endotracheal tube and said tube passage means cooperating with the engagement of the mucosa by said body to stabilize said body and the endotracheal tube in the oral cavity.