Automatic tracheotomy device

An automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device is disclosed herein. This device includes a hand-held apparatus having a box shaped center apparatus (box) with a removable attached handlebar (handlebar). The handlebar includes two handles and top and bottom center bars. The handlebar contains four receiver clips. The box contains clip locks that secure the box onto the handlebar. Additionally, the box contains a capacitance measuring system for locating specific portions of the trachea, a peel-off cover that exposes a cleansing pad and adhesive backed flange. The flange has ribbons for securing the tube in a patient's neck. The box also contains pressure and locator sensors with corresponding indicator lights/sounds. The center box also contains a mechanism for penetrating the tracheal cartilage or medial cricothyroid membrane while simultaneously inserting a tube member. The mechanism retracts the puncture obturator back into the box leaving the tube inserted. Securing ribbons are exposed then placed around a patient's neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tracheotomy device and, more particularly, to a tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device that automates the process of properly inserting a tracheotomy tube into a user's trachea.

2. Description of the Related Art

Several designs for a tracheotomy device have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include a tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device comprising a hand-held apparatus having a box-shaped center apparatus with a removable attached handlebar which has two handles attached to a top and bottom center bar wherein the box shaped center apparatus contains a capacitance measuring system for locating specific portions of the trachea. The center portion contains a mechanism for penetrating the trachea and inserting a tube member. The handlebar and the center apparatus clip together using four clips positioned in the corners of the center apparatus. It is known that certain individuals are often in desperate need of an airway in order to breath. A tracheotomy or cricothyrotomy are procedures that either puncture the airway or cut into the airway to insert a breathing tube within a user's trachea in order to create a proper air way to allow the individual to breathe. These procedures are normally only performed by professional medical personnel qualified to make the incision or puncture needed to then insert the tracheotomy tube.

However, in an event of an emergency, professional medical personnel may not be available, thereby putting the life of an individual in danger if they are in need of a proper and immediate airway. Therefore, there is a need for an automatic tracheotomy device that automates the process of inserting a tracheotomy device within a trachea to provide easy access to establish an airway. The device will make inserting a tracheotomy device a simple and easy task that can save many lives and lessens operator error during emergency and non-emergency use.

Applicant believes that a related reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,939 issued for a tool for performing a tracheotomy that includes a trocar and a delivery mechanism for a stoma stent. Applicant believes another related reference corresponds to U.S. patent No. 2016/0227991 issued for a system for guiding the insertion of an endotracheal intubation tube using an optical sensor and an autonomous modulated light source. However, the present invention differs from these references because they fail to disclose a handheld apparatus having a box-shaped center apparatus with a removable handlebar which has two handles attached to a top and a bottom center bar. Additionally, the box-shaped center apparatus contains a capacitance measuring system for locating specific portions of the trachea either in the medial cricothyroid membrane or tracheal cartilage. The center portion contains a mechanism for penetrating the medial cricothyroid membrane or tracheal cartilage depending on desired placement and simultaneously inserting a tube member then automatically removing the puncture obturator leaving the tube in place to be secured by ribbon. The handlebar and the center apparatus clip together using four clips positioned in the corners of the center apparatus. The present invention addresses these issues by providing a tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device that automizes the process of inserting the tracheotomy tube. Additionally, the present invention includes a combination of two sensors, one for location and one for pressure, to further aid a user in proper operation of the automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device and corresponding light emitting diodes (LEDs) or some other type of light that will be connected to the sensors. Sounding beeps will reinforce these light sensors indicating proper placement and pressure. A peel off cleaning pad and adhesive backed flange are also important features not in the above patent. The operator peels off a cover exposing the cleaning pad; during placement on the patients neck it swabs the area cleaning and disinfecting to decrease chance of infection. Also, when the operator peels off the cover it exposes an adhesive backed trach flange that will stick to the patients neck long enough to be secured with attached ribbons when the trach tube is inserted it clicks into the flange and the puncture obturator is withdrawn back into the box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an automatic tracheotomy device that automizes the process of inserting a tracheotomy tube within an easy to operate sterile housing.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device that includes a pressure sensor and an ultrasonic or ultrasound sensor to aid a user in proper positioning and pressure to exert.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device that when in a proper position a positional indicator light will turn green.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device that when the requisite pressure upon the throat is exerted the pressure indicator will also turn green.

It is another object of this invention that when the user holds the device in place for three seconds more or less and when both indicator lights are green, the tube/obturator will automatically inject into the airway, click into a flange and the obturator will automatically retract back into box leaving the tracheotomy tube in place.

It is another feature of this invention to provide an automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device that when both indicator lights turn green a sound is emitted to show proper placement and pressure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an automatic tracheotomy device that includes a re-useable handlebar than can be sterilized and that provides ease of use for user operating the device. Another box may be simply clicked back into the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral10, it can be observed an automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device10that includes a handheld assembly20, a motor assembly40, and tracheotomy assembly60.

Handheld assembly20includes a center apparatus being a box21having a front end21A and a back end21B. In one embodiment, box21is a cubic rectangular housing made of a suitable material made of high-grade plastic or aluminum. It should be understood, box21may be made of other suitable materials and may come in other suitable shapes. Additionally, box21houses motor assembly40and tracheotomy assembly60therein. In one embodiment, front end21A includes at least two LEDs22mounted thereon. LEDs22may be mounted near a top end of front end21. Additionally, LEDs22may be of any suitable color that may be used to alert a user. This may include colors such as but not limited to red, green, and the like. Front end21A may further include indicia etched thereon. This indicium may include instructions regarding the operational use of automatic tracheotomy device10. Back end21B includes an opening23located on a center portion thereon. In one embodiment, opening23may be a rectangular opening positioned on a center portion of back end21B. Additionally, opening23may be covered by a peel-off cover24. Peel-off cover24may be a rectangular sheet having an adhesive material one side. Additionally, peel-off cover24may further have dimensions such that it covers and surrounds the entirety of the opening23. Furthermore, a peel-off cover24may further enclose a cleaning pad25within opening23so that during positioning of the device the area is cleaned to reduce infection. In one embodiment, cleaning pad25includes a disinfectant substance on it to properly clean a patient's neck area while positioning/operating automatic tracheotomy device10. This disinfectant substance may be a chlorhexidine substance, although other disinfectants may be used. The peel-off cover also exposes a flange of a trach tube which has adhesive to temporarily hold the trach tube in place during and after obturator punctures into patient airway. A ribbon or string of some type is then used to tie the tracheostomy device around the patient's neck after insertion. Other securement means may also be used.

Back end21B of box21may further include a pressure sensor26and an ultrasonic or ultrasound sensor27adapted to aid a user in locating specific portions of a patient's trachea. In one embodiment, pressure sensor26and ultrasonic or ultrasound sensor27may be provided as hardware within box21. Additionally, both sensors may be located above and below opening23. Pressure sensor26aids in notifying the user if they are applying the correct amount of pressure on a user's neck to be able to actuate automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device10. Additionally, ultrasonic or ultrasound sensor27aids a user in identifying the specific portions of a patient's trachea that is to be penetrated either in the medial cricothyroid membrane or between the tracheal rings into the tracheal cartilage. In one embodiment, automatic tracheotomy device10will not be deployed until each sensor locates a pre-determined value. Once the correct location is found, box21may be configured to provide an audible solid tone. Additionally, LEDs22may then light up into a green color thereby indicating that tracheotomy assembly60is then ready to be deployed. In one embodiment, tracheotomy device assembly60may be automatically deployed once both LEDs are both turned green and a three-second time period has lapsed. It should be understood, additional embodiments may include further combinations of other sensors to ensure that the safest location for puncturing is located for automatic tracheotomy device10.

Handheld assembly20further includes a handlebar frame28that may be attached to box21. In one embodiment, handlebar frame28is a frame having four perimeter sides. Additionally, handlebar frame28may include two horizontal frame members and two vertical semi-circular members. As a result, of this configuration and elongated oval shape may be formed. It should be understood, other shapes of frames may be used for handlebar frame28. Furthermore, handlebar frame28may also include four clips29mounted near four comers of handlebar frame28. In one embodiment, clips29may be of a magnetic variety. Clips29may also be any other removable attachment member shown in the art such as hook and loop fasteners or clip and lock, press and lock adhesives, and the like. Clips29receive four comers of box21in order to create a secure attachment thereon. The circular portions of the frame remain exposed such that a user may effectively control automatic tracheotomy device10with both hands. In one embodiment, automatic tracheotomy device10may be operated without handlebar frame28. As a result, there may be two possible variations of automatic tracheotomy device10. In one variation, the device is provided absent of handlebar frame28. This variation may be an easily disposable version meant to be used as an emergency variation of the device used for personal or military use. The other possible variation includes automatic tracheotomy device10having handlebar frame28. In this variation a user may continuously re-use handlebar frame28and continuously purchase box/cartridge21to then be fitted into handlebar frame28. This variation may be used by hospitals to aid staff in properly and easily inserting tracheotomy assembly60to patients in need, weather for surgery or emergency. A one-time use frame with a sterile stationary box21is also a variation. Box21may be disposed of in a sharp's container. Additionally, box21is sterile and ready for use.

Motor assembly includes a motor42and a processor44housed within box21. In one embodiment, tracheotomy assembly60is communicably attached to motor42to be properly actuated into a patient. Processor44allows for the control of the various components hosed within box21. In one embodiment, pressure sensor26and ultrasonic or ultrasound sensor27are communicably attached to processor44. Processor44then receives the information gathered by both sensors and then determines if motor42should be actuated to then insert tracheotomy assembly60and a tube62within a patient. In one embodiment, processor44provides lighting to one of the LEDs once an appropriate amount of pressure has been detected. This allows a user to acknowledge that they are applying the appropriate amount of pressure onto a patient's throat area to allow tracheotomy assembly60to be properly inserted. Additionally, processor44may also provide lighting to one of LEDs22once an appropriate location of a patient's trachea has been sensed by ultrasonic or ultrasound sensor27. This further allows a user to acknowledge that have located the appropriate location for tracheotomy assembly60to then be inserted into the patient's trachea. Once both of the LED22lights have been actuated, a predetermined amount of time will pass (such as 3 seconds), and processor44will then actuate motor42to then insert tracheotomy assembly60within the patient's trachea.

Tracheotomy assembly60is enclosed within box21and includes a tube62, a snap in flange64, and an obturator67. In one embodiment, tracheotomy assembly60is one of the many variations of tracheostomy devices in the market that is fitted within box21. It should be understood, any suitable tracheotomy device may be used within the tracheotomy assembly60and is not limited to being the one seen in the figures of this disclosure. In one embodiment, flange64may be oval in shape and slip mounted onto tube62with the ability to automatically clip into place when tube62is inserted into a patent's airway. Additionally, flange64may include an adhesive side64A being exposed. When peel-off cover24is removed, adhesive side64A allows flange64to be temporarily attached to a user's throat to aid in the secure placement of tracheotomy assembly60. A ribbon66may then be tied around the neck of a user to secure the tube62to a patient. Obturator67is housed within tube62. Additionally, obturator67includes a puncture tip68to aid in creating an opening in a patient's trachea. In one embodiment, puncture tip68may be a conical member located at a distal end of obturator67. Additionally, box21may then be positioned over a patient's throat. Once processor44triggers tracheotomy assembly60, obturator67then punctures a patient's trachea and simultaneously inserts tube62therein. Once inserted, the tube clicks into the flange64and obturator67is then automatically retracted from the tube62within the patients neck into box21by motor42housed therein. The user then ties the ribbon around a user's neck. As a result, a safe and secure airway is created for a patient. Automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device10automates the process of inserting a tracheotomy device within a user's trachea. It is a safe and easy to use device, that could potentially save many lives. Individuals that find themselves in need of a tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy whether for placement before or during surgery or an emergency or battlefield situation will benefit from this device.