Flexible multiple port adaptor
AssigneeBallard Medical Products
InventorsDavid M. Cise, V. Roland Smith, Rick D. Lorenzen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible multiple port adaptor has an adaptor body which includes a distal portion defining a distal channel and a proximal portion defining a first proximal channel and a second proximal channel. As least one of the first and second proximal channels is normally disposed out of alignment with the distal channel. However, because the adaptor body is flexible, the adaptor body may be manipulated so that channel(s) which are out of alignment with the distal channel may be placed into alignment with the distal channel so that a medical instrument can be advanced through the channels without bending the medical instrument.
Claims45
A multiple port adaptor assembly for use with endotracheal medical instruments, the multiple port adaptor assembly comprising:
- an adaptor body having a distal portion defining a distal channel and a proximal portion defining at least a first proximal channel and a second proximal channel with at least one of said proximal channels being normally out of axial alignment with the distal channel, and wherein the proximal portion is configured for pivoting to move the at least one of said proximal channels into axial alignment with the distal channel;
- and
- said distal portion further comprising a distal port configured for receipt of an end of a separately formed fitting, said adaptor formed of a flexible material such that said proximal portion is pivotal with respect to said distal portion and fitting.
A multiple port adaptor assembly for use with endotracheal medical instruments, the multiple port adaptor comprising:
- an adaptor body having a distal portion defining a distal channel and a proximal portion defining at least a first proximal channel and a second proximal channel with at least one of said proximal channels being normally out of axial alignment with the distal channel, and wherein the proximal portion is configured for pivoting to move the at least one of said proximal channels into axial alignment with the distal channel;
- and
- a retaining member for holding a desired proximal channel of the adaptor body in axial alignment with the distal channel.
A multiple port adaptor assembly comprising an adaptor body having:
- a distal portion having a distal barrel defining a distal channel and a distal port configured for attachment to an endotracheal tube adaptor;
- a proximal portion having a first proximal barrel defining a first proximal channel and a second proximal barrel defining a second proximal channel, at least one of the first proximal channel and, the second proximal channel being out of axial alignment with the distal channel;
- wherein the proximal portion is pivotable to move the first proximal channel and the second proximal channel and to move the at least one of the first proximal channel and the second proximal channel into axial alignment with the distal channel;
- and
- wherein said distal port is configured for receipt of an end of a separately formed fitting on the endotracheal tube adaptor, said adaptor body being at least partially formed of a flexible material such that said proximal portion is pivotable with respect to said distal portion and fitting.
A multiple port adaptor assembly comprising an adaptor body having:
- a distal portion having a distal barrel defining a distal channel and a distal port configured for attachment to an endotracheal tube adaptor;
- a proximal portion having a first proximal barrel defining a first proximal channel and a second proximal barrel defining a second proximal channel, at least one of the first proximal channel and the second proximal channel being out of axial alignment with the distal channel;
- and
- wherein the proximal portion is pivotable to move the first proximal channel and the second proximal channel and to move the at least one of the first proximal channel and the second proximal channel into axial alignment with the distal channel;
- wherein the adaptor body is movable between a first position, wherein the adaptor is at rest, and a second position wherein one of the proximal channels which is not disposed in axial alignment with the distal channel when the adaptor body is at rest is moved into axial alignment with the distal channel, and wherein the adaptor further comprises a retention mechanism for holding the adaptor body in the second position.
A multiple port adaptor assembly comprising an adaptor body having:
- a distal portion having a distal barrel defining a distal channel and a distal port configured for attachment to an endotracheal tube adaptor;
- a proximal portion having a first proximal barrel defining a first proximal channel and a second proximal barrel defining a second proximal channel, at least one of the first proximal channel and the second proximal channel being out of axial alignment with the distal channel when the adaptor body is at rest;
- wherein at least a portion of the adaptor body is formed from a sufficiently flexible material to enable pivoting of an axis of the proximal portion relative to a central axis of the distal portion;
- and
- wherein said distal port is configured for receipt of an end of a separately formed fitting of the endotracheal tube adaptor, said adaptor body being at least partially formed of a flexible material such that said proximal portion is pivotal with respect to said distal portion and fitting.
A method of advancing medical instruments through a multiple port adaptor, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) selecting a multiple port adaptor having a distal portion with a distal channel and a proximal portion with first and second proximal channels, the second proximal channel being out of alignment with the distal channel;
- (b) connecting the distal portion of the adaptor body to an endotracheal tube;
- and
- (c) manipulating the multiple port adaptor to axially align the second proximal channel with the distal channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.