US 6,561,192 B2 · Nasal oral respiratory interface

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for stabilizing at least one medical device such as a tracheal or gastric tube entering or covering at least one facial cavity such as the mouth and/or nose, taking advantage of a stabilization stent to secure to a patient's face the tracheal or gastric tube without the need to apply tape to the face, while maintaining visibility of tube markings, preventing kinking of the tube, and keeping the infant's face visible to parents and caregivers. In one form, the invention comprises a transverse stent comprising a superior border opposed to an inferior border, an inner surface and an outer surface. A first facial interface is attached to a first terminal end of the transverse stent, and positioned to adhesively adhere and mechanically clasp to a first side of a patient's face. A second facial interface is attached to a second terminal end of the transverse stent and positioned to adhesively adhere and mechanically clasp to a second side of a patient's face. A docking platform attached to the outer surface of the transverse stent supports the medical device. In a different form, the invention also includes gutters positioned on the inner surface of the respective first and second terminal end approximate to the respective first and second facial interface to channel oral fluids away from the respective first and second facial interface. The outer surface contains channels for containing and directing tubing, and fixaton points for attaching anchoring measures such as chin or head straps. The core of the transverse stent is hollowed to permit gas flow.

Claims64

Dependent claims

An apparatus for stabilizing at least one medical device entering at least one facial cavity of a patient's face comprising:

a transverse stent having a superior border, the superior border having a first end and a second end, an inferior border opposed to the superior border, the inferior border having a first end and a second end, an outer surface extending between the superior border and the inferior border from the first end of the superior border and the inferior border to the second end of the superior border and the inferior border, an inner surface extending between the superior border and the inferior border from the first end of the superior border and the inferior border to the second end of the superior border and the inferior border, the outer surface facing away from a facial cavity and opposed to the inner surface;
first facial interface attached to a first end of the transverse stent, the first end extending between the first end of the superior border of the transverse stent and the first end of the inferior border of the transverse stent, wherein the first facial interface includes a surface positioned adjacent a first side of the patient's face;
a second facial interface attached to a second end of the transverse stent, the second end extending between the second end of the superior border of the transverse stent and the second end of the inferior border of the transverse stent, wherein the second facial interface includes a surface positioned adjacent a second side of the patient's face;
a docking platform attached to the outer surface of the transverse stent at a preselected angle, the docking platform for supporting at least one medical device;
and means for attaching the first and second facial interfaces to the first and second sides of the patient's face, the means for attaching comprising structure to mechanically clasp a patient's face.

2 more elements

A method for stabilizing at least one medical device entering at least one facial cavity of a patient's face comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one medical device;
inserting a first end of the at least one medical device into at least one facial cavity;
attaching a stabilizer to the patient's face, the stabilizer comprising:
a transverse stent having a superior border with a first end and a second end, an inferior border opposed to the superior border, the inferior border having a first end and a second end, an outer surface extending between the superior border and the inferior border from the first end of the superior border and the inferior border to the second end of the superior border and the inferior border, an inner surface extending between the superior border and the inferior border from the first end of the superior border and the inferior border to the second end of the superior border and the inferior border, the outer surface facing away from a facial cavity and opposed to the inner surface;
a first facial interface attached to a first end of the transverse stent, the first end extending between the first end of the superior border and the first end of the inferior border, wherein the first facial interface is positioned adjacent a first side of the patient's face;
a second facial interface attached to a second end of the transverse stent, the second end extending between the second end of the superior border and the second end of the inferior border, wherein the second facial interface is positioned adjacent a second side of the patient's face;
a docking platform attached to the outer surface of the transverse stent at a preselected angle, the docking platform for supporting the at least one medical device;
and
a means for attaching the first and second facial interfaces to the first and second sides of the patient's face, the means for attaching comprising structure to mechanically clasp a patient's face;
and
affixing a second end of the at least one medical device to the stabilizer.

8 more elements

An apparatus for stabilizing at least one medical device entering at least one facial cavity of a patient's face comprising:

a transverse stent having a superior border, the superior border having a first end and a second end, an inferior border opposed to the superior border, the inferior border having a first end and a second end, an outer surface extending between the superior border and the inferior border from the first end of the superior border and the inferior border to the second end of the superior border and the inferior border, an inner surface extending between the superior border and the inferior border from the first end of the superior border and the inferior border to the second end of the superior border and the inferior border, the outer surface facing away from a facial cavity and opposed to the inner surface, the inner surface being substantially flat and having a distance between the superior and inferior border of the inner surface approximately at least one-third a distance between upper lip and nose of a patient at a portion of the stent adapted for placement at and near a patient's nose to allow the transverse stent some medial flex but deter flexing in other directions;
first facial interface attached to a first end of the transverse stent, the first end extending between the first end of the superior border of the transverse stent and the first end of the inferior border of the transverse stent, wherein the first facial interface includes a surface positioned adjacent a first side of the patient's face;
a second facial interface attached to a second end of the transverse stent, the second end extending between the second end of the superior border of the transverse stent and the second end of the inferior border of the transverse stent, wherein the second facial interface includes a surface positioned adjacent a second side of the patient's face;
a docking platform attached to the outer surface of the transverse stent at a preselected angle, the docking platform for supporting at least one medical device.

1 more element

A method for stabilizing at least one medical device entering at least one facial cavity of a patient's face comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one medical device;
inserting a first end of the at least one medical device into at least one facial cavity;
attaching a stabilizer to the patient's face, the stabilizer comprising:
a transverse stent having a superior border with a first end and a second end, an inferior border opposed to the superior border, the inferior border having a first end and a second end, an outer surface extending between the superior border and the inferior border from the first end of the superior border and the inferior border to the second end of the superior border and the inferior border, an inner surface extending between the superior border and the inferior border from the first end of the superior border and the inferior border to the second end of the superior border and the inferior border, the inner surface being substantially flat and having a distance between the superior and inferior border of the inner surface approximately at least one-third a distance between upper lip and nose of a patient at a portion of the stent adapted for placement at and near a patient's nose to allow the transverse stent some medial flex but deter flexing in other directions, the outer surface facing away from a facial cavity and opposed to the inner surface;
a first facial interface attached to a first end of the transverse stent, the first end extending between the first end of the superior border and the first end of the inferior border, wherein the first facial interface is positioned adjacent a first side of the patient's face;
a second facial interface attached to a second end of the transverse stent, the second end extending between the second end of the superior border and the second end of the inferior border, wherein the second facial interface is positioned adjacent a second side of the patient's face;
a docking platform attached to the outer surface of the transverse stent at a preselected angle, the docking platform for supporting the at least one medical device;
and
a component adapted to attach the first and second facial interfaces to the first and second sides of the patient's face;
and
affixing a second end of the at least one medical device to the stabilizer.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Nasal oral respiratory interface

Life of this patent

Nasal oral respiratory interface

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims64