Retaining plug for endotracheal catheter and manifold assembly and method of use
AssigneeBallard Medical Products
InventorsChet M. Crump, Edward B. Madsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a plug for a respiratory suction catheter and manifold assembly that protects or maintains at least one internal component, such as the flap, of an assembly during nonuse. In a preferred embodiment, the interior plug element functions or contains a spring or similar expanding mechanism. This provides for additional security for the internal components. Further, the plug may contain an exterior plug element as well as an interior plug element.
Claims26
A respiratory suction catheter and retaining plug assembly comprising:
- a respiratory suction catheter assembly having an internal passageway extending through said respiratory suction catheter assembly and having a flap for opening and closing said internal passageway;
- a retaining plug configured to be inserted into said internal passageway and retained therein through frictional contact, said retaining plug configured to engage said flap and maintain said flap in a position to effect closure of said internal passageway;
- wherein said retaining plug having an interior plug element and said interior plug element comprises two opposing arms between which is defined a cavity;
- wherein at least one arm comprises a spring that expands against said internal passageway of said assembly when said retaining plug is inserted;
- and
- wherein said respiratory suction catheter assembly having at least one port, and wherein at least one arm having at least one knob capable of expanding into said at least one port when said retaining plug is inserted.
A plug for use in a respiratory suction catheter assembly, comprising:
- an exterior plug element configured to be grasped by a user to withdraw or insert said plug;
- and
- an interior plug element connected to said exterior plug element, said interior plug element comprising:
- a pair of arms separate and spaced apart from and facing one another, said pair of arms defining a cavity therebetween;
- an end cap located on an outer most end of one of said arms of said pair of arms;
- and
- wherein at least one arm comprises at least one knob capable of expanding into at least one port of the respiratory suction catheter assembly when said plug is inserted into the respiratory suction catheter assembly.
A method of protecting a respiratory suction catheter assembly, comprising:
- providing a respiratory suction catheter assembly having an internal passageway and having a flap for opening and closing said internal passageway;
- inserting a retaining plug having an interior plug element into said internal passageway;
- and
- pressing said flap into a closed position by engaging said interior plug element and said flap, wherein said interior plug element comprises two opposing arms defining a cavity therebetween, wherein at least one arm comprises at least one knob that expands into at least one port of said respiratory suction catheter.
A respiratory suction catheter and retaining plug assembly, comprising:
- a respiratory suction catheter assembly having an internal passageway extending through said respiratory suction catheter assembly and having a flap for opening and closing said internal passageway;
- and
- a retaining plug configured to be inserted into said internal passageway and retained therein through frictional contact, said retaining plug configured to engage said flap and maintain said flap in a position to effect closure of said internal passageway.
A plug for use in a respiratory suction catheter assembly, comprising:
- an exterior plug element configured to be grasped by a user to withdraw or insert said plug;
- and
- an interior plug element connected to said exterior plug element, said interior plug element comprising:
- a pair of arms separate and spaced apart from and facing one another, said pair of arms defining a cavity therebetween;
- and
- an end cap located on an outermost end of one of said arms of said pair of arms.
A method of protecting a respiratory suction catheter assembly, comprising:
- providing a respiratory suction catheter assembly having an internal passageway and having a flap for opening and closing said internal passageway;
- inserting a retaining plug having an interior plug element into said internal passageway;
- and
- pressing said flap into a closed position by engaging said interior plug element and said flap.
A plug for use in a respiratory suction catheter assembly, comprising:
- an exterior plug element configured to be grasped by a user to withdraw or insert said plug from the respiratory suction catheter assembly;
- and
- an interior plug element connected to said exterior plug element, said interior plug element adapted to be inserted into an internal passageway of the respiratory suction catheter assembly, said interior plug element at least partially blocking the internal passageway of the respiratory suction catheter assembly when said plug is inserted into the respiratory suction catheter assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.