Miniature air filtration assembly for a medical field

The present invention is directed to an assembly and method of use thereof for reducing microbial load in an airway of a patient. The assembly includes a miniature vacuum unit. The miniature vacuum unit includes a housing, at least one air inlet configured in the housing for air intake; a vacuum motor for sucking the air through the at least one air inlet; vents configured in the housing for blowing the sucked air out of the housing, a filter media covering inner side of the vents, such as the sucked air passes through the filter media, the filter media configured to retain microbes suspended in the sucked air; and at least one suction tube. The suction tube is having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the at least one suction tube configured to sealably and releasably coupled to the at least one air inlet, a plurality of apertures configured in the wall of the suction tube near its distal end. The suction tube configured to be positioned within the mouth of the patient.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air filtration assembly and particularly relates to an air filtration assembly for filtering pathogens in an airway of a patient, such as during airway management.

BACKGROUND

Microbes that cause diseases in humans are known as pathogens. The most generic form of pathogens that cause diseases in humans include bacteria, virus, and fungi. Pathogens can transmit in many ways, for example, through the contaminated food, hands, air, sex, blood, and other bodily secretions, or the fecal-oral route. The microbes that can directly spread from person to person are known as contagious pathogens. The contagious pathogens can spread from an infected person to another person by physical contact or contact with secretions or objects touched by the infected person. Another common way of the spread of pathogenic microbes, particularly viruses, is the aerosol transmission or the droplets blown in the air by an infected person while breathing, coughing, or sneezing.

A medical staff taking care of an infected person are particularly at an elevated risk of getting infected. The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 resulted in several morbidities and mortalities of healthcare workers because of acquiring the infection from the patients. The major challenges in managing patients with COVID-19 infection or other respiratory infections are bilateral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Despite using protective facemask and gloves, the chances of acquiring the infections are still higher. Generally, the patients are hospitalized when their health condition gets critical. Often, such patient, particularly those having an infected respiratory system, requires airway management, such as endotracheal intubation. Endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure wherein an endotracheal tube is passed through the patient's mouth and the vocal apparatus into the trachea. Commonly, during the intubation, the face of the operator is usually about one foot away from the patient's mouth. Typically, the viral and/or bacterial load in the patient's airway is probably extremely high and is contagious. Such proximity of the operator during endotracheal intubation or a similar medical procedure that involves mouth or airway can exponentially increase the risk of acquiring the infection. The anesthesiologists are at an elevated risk of becoming infected because of their close contact with patients. They are directly exposed to respiratory droplets or aerosol from the patients' airway. The healthcare workers whose job require them to have their faces in proximity to a patient's mouth are at an elevated risk of acquiring the injection.

The recent outbreak of Covid-19 showed that the safety of the health care workers and the magnitude of challenges in healthcare practice are far greater than anticipated. Most of the time these challenging situations are unavoidable. Thus, an urgent need is there for a solution to provide additional safety for health care workers. A need is appreciated for an assembly that can limit the spread of pathogens. A need is there for an assembly that can decrease the pathogen load near the mouth of an infected person.

The term bioaerosol hereinafter connotes microbes suspended in air and also includes the droplets blown in the air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to an assembly for reducing pathogen load near the mouth of an infected person.

It is another object of the present invention that the assembly can be used with known medical devices.

It is still another object of the present invention that the assembly can be used with a conventional laryngoscope.

It is yet another object of the present invention that the assembly decreases the chances of acquiring infection by the healthcare worker during a medical procedure.

It is yet another object of the present invention that the assembly decreases microbial load in an airway of a patient wearing an oxygen mass.

It is a further object of the present invention that the assembly is economical to manufacture and easy to use.

It is still a further object of the present invention that the assembly does not interfere with a medical procedure.

It is an additional object of the present invention that the assembly does not cause discomfort to the patient.

It is still an additional object of the present invention that the assembly can be single-use and disposable.

It is an object of the present invention that the assembly provides additional protection to the medical staff.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is an assembly for reducing microbial load in an airway of a patient while the patient is undergoing a medical procedure or wearing an oxygen mask. The assembly can also be used by an infected person wearing a protective facemask. The assembly includes a miniature vacuum unit. The miniature vacuum unit includes a housing, at least one air inlet configured in the housing for air intake; a vacuum motor for sucking the air through the at least one air inlet; vents configured in the housing for blowing the sucked air out of the housing, a filter media covering inner side of the vents, such as the sucked air passes through the filter media, the filter media configured to retain microbes suspended in the sucked air; and at least one suction tube. The suction tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the at least one suction tube configured to sealably and releasably coupled to the at least one air inlet, a plurality of apertures configured in a wall of the suction tube near its distal end.

In one aspect, the miniature vacuum unit is cubical of a dimension of 1 cubic inch. The miniature vacuum unit can further include a UV lamp enclosed in the housing and configured to irradiate the filter media.

In one aspect, the suction tube can further comprise a branch tube that branches from near middle portion of the at least one suction tube, the lumen of the branch tube is in fluid communication with the lumen of the suction tube, the branch tube having apertures configured in the wall of the branch tube.

In one aspect, the assembly includes a laryngoscope, the laryngoscope having a handle and a spatula, the miniature vacuum unit releasably coupled to the handle, the branch tube fastened to the spatula.

In one aspect, the assembly includes two air inlets, a first air inlet, and a second air inlet, and two suction tubes. The first suction tube at its proximal end can couple to the first air inlet, and a second suction tube at its proximal end can couple to the second air inlet. The second suction tube can fasten to the spatula. In one aspect, the assembly includes an oxygen mask, the distal end of the first suction tube inserted into the oxygen mask, the second suction tube wrap around the oxygen mask.

In one aspect, the suction tube can include an inner lining of absorbent material, the inner lining positioned near the proximal end of the at least one suction tube. The suction tube may also include a drain port, the drain port positioned near the proximal end of the suction tube.

In one aspect, disclosed is a method for reducing microbial load in an airway of a patient during a medical procedure. The method is the method of using the above assembly for reducing microbial load by positioning the suction tube within the mouth of the patient and sucking air through the apertures of the first secondary tube. The second suction tube can be positioned outside the mouth and the air can be sucked from both the suction tubes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as assembly and methods of use thereof. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

The following detailed description is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details may be set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is directed to an assembly for reducing bioaerosol load near the mouth of a patient. The assembly disclosed herein includes a miniature vacuum unit and a suction tubing. Referring toFIG. 1, which shows the assembly100coupled to a bottom of a conventional laryngoscope110. The assembly100includes the miniature vacuum unit120and the suction tubing130. The tubing130can be seen coupled to an air inlet of the miniature vacuum unit120. The laryngoscope110is having a spatula140to which the suction tubing130is hooked using a hook line150. It is to be understood that the assembly disclosed herein is illustrated with the aid of a laryngoscope, however, the assembly can be used alone or with any other medical device.

Referring toFIG. 2which shows a perspective view of the miniature vacuum unit120. The miniature vacuum unit120can suck air and filter the microbes suspended in the sucked air. Through the suction tubing130, the miniature vacuum unit120can suck air from the patient's mount and the environment in immediate proximity to the patient's mouth. The miniature vacuum unit120can retain bioaerosols blown in the air while the patient breathes. The air blown from the patient's airway including the droplets can be sucked and filtered by the miniature vacuum unit120. The miniature vacuum unit120is small and light in weight, thus can be easily positioned near the mouth of the patient. The miniature vacuum unit120can include a housing200, the housing having multiple vents210for the air to pass through, a miniature vacuum motor (not shown) that can suck air, and a filter media220covering the multiple vents210of the housing200from its inner side. The air sucked by the vacuum motor passes through the filter medium, wherein bioaerosols are retained on the filter medium. The miniature vacuum unit120is shown to be having two air inlets, the first air inlet230and a second air inlet240. Through the air inlets, the vacuum motor can suck the air. Also, the air inlets can provide for attaching the suction tube to the miniature vacuum unit. The air inlets can be capped, such that either one of the air inlets can be used. Both air inlets can also be used. For example, one of the air inlets can be coupled to the tubing while the other inlet is open to suck air from its immediate environment. It is to be noted that althoughFIG. 2shows two air inlets, the miniature vacuum unit can have one, three or more air inlets.

Also, it is to be noted that although Figures show the miniature vacuum unit as cylindrical, however, it can be manufactured in different shapes including cube, cuboidal, and like. In one case, the size of the miniature vacuum unit is small having length and width of about 1 inch. In one case, the miniature vacuum unit is cubic having a dimension of about 1 cubic inch.

The miniature vacuum unit can be powered by a battery. The battery can be housed in a battery compartment260shown at the bottom of the miniature vacuum unit120. The battery compartment260can be locked and unlocked using a slide button270.FIG. 3shows the battery280and the battery cover290removed from the housing200. The battery280shown inFIG. 3is a button-shaped battery. The bottom of the miniature vacuum unit120can be configured with a battery compartment that can house one or more miniature size battery, such as the button-shaped battery shown inFIG. 3. The number of batteries can be based on the desired voltage. The battery compartment is closed by a removable battery cover. The battery can be a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. For example, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are known. Additionally, the miniature vacuum unit can also be powered by an external direct current.FIG. 4shows the miniature vacuum unit120having a charging port near the bottom portion of the housing200. This charging port410can receive a power cable420carrying a direct current from a DC power source. In one case, the external DC power source can be an electrical supply of the laryngoscope. Additionally, the rechargeable batteries can be charged using the charging port. Alternatively, the external direct current can be used to charge the battery, while the miniature vacuum unit draws current from the battery. The miniature vacuum unit can be configured to simultaneously charge the battery and use the current from the battery to run the vacuum motor.

FIG. 5shows the miniature vacuum unit120, a double-sided adhesive pad510, and a laryngoscope110. The miniature vacuum unit120can be connected to the bottom of the laryngoscope110using the double-sided adhesive pad510. Thus, the miniature vacuum unit120can be easily attached and removed from any conventional laryngoscope. Moreover, the miniature vacuum unit120can be easily attached to any other medical device.FIG. 5shows the miniature vacuum unit120attached to the bottom of the laryngoscope, however, the miniature vacuum unit120can also be attached to the wall of the laryngoscope.FIG. 6shows the miniature vacuum unit630attached to the handle of the laryngoscope610through an adhesive pad620.FIG. 7shows the miniature vacuum unit630and the adhesive pad620separated from the laryngoscope610. The adhesive pad is double-sided and curved to conform to the shape of the laryngoscope.

The miniature vacuum unit disclosed herein sucks air from the patient's mouth and nearby the mouth and filters the air using a filter media. The filter media can have a pore size that can retain microbes including the viruses. The filter media can be supported against the vents of the housing and the sucked by the vacuum motor can pass through the filter media and blown outside through the vents.FIG. 8shows one exemplary embodiment of the filter media800having three layers, the first layer810, the second layer820, and the third layer830. The first layer can have a pore size different from the second layer, and the second layer can have a pore size different from the third layer. Besides using the filter media, a UV lamp can also be included in the housing, such as the filter media is exposed to UV radiation. The UV radiation can sterilize the filter media, thus reducing the microbial load on the filter media. This improves the efficiency and life of the filter media, as well as improving the air filtration.

FIG. 9shows an embodiment of the suction tube130having a primary tube910. The primary tube can have a proximal end920and a distal end. The proximal end of the primary tube can be connected to the air inlet of the miniature vacuum unit.FIG. 1shows the proximal end of the primary tube attached to the air inlet of the miniature vacuum unit. To further clarify the attachment, the primary tube is also shown separated from the air inlet inFIG. 10. The air inlet and the proximal end of the primary tube can be structured to sealably couple with each other. For example, the proximal end of the suction tube can frictionally grip around the air inlet. Such a structure for attaching a tube to a nozzle is known in the art. Referring again toFIG. 9, the suction tube at the distal end of the primary tube is shown to be bifurcated into two secondary tubes. It is to be noted that the suction tube can be a single prolonged primary tube. Alternatively, more than two branches of secondary tubes can extend from the primary tube. Perhaps,FIG. 9shows the primary tube is extended to form the secondary tube930, while the secondary tube940branches from the continuous primary tube910and the secondary tube930.

One of the two secondary tubes shown inFIG. 9, referred herein as the first secondary tube930and the second secondary tube940, the first secondary tube930is straight. While the second secondary tube is of T-shape. Both the secondary tubes are shown to have a plurality of apertures for drawing air into the secondary tubes. The sucked air from the secondary tubes is drawn into the common primary tube by the miniature vacuum unit. As shown inFIG. 1, the first secondary tube is attached to the spatula of the laryngoscope. While the T-shaped secondary tube can be positioned outside the mouth for drawing air from the proximity of the mouth. However, it is to be understood that the T-shape provides more surface area, but the shape of both of the secondary tubes can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 11shows the assembly coupled to a laryngoscope, as shown inFIG. 1, and inserted into an airway of a patient. One of the secondary tubes is within the mouth, while the other secondary tube is above the opening of the mouth. The secondary tube inside the mouth is fastened to the spatula of the laryngoscope through a hook line. The other empty air inlet of the miniature vacuum unit can be capped. To use the assembly, disclosed herein, It is advisable to aspirate any fluids from the mouth of the patient before inserting the suction tube. However, due to the vacuum, fluids from the mouth can be aspirated into the suction tube. Because of the aspirated fluids, the suction tubes can be made transparent such as any fluid is visible inside the tube. The fluid can collect in the tube itself. Alternatively, an appendage, such as a short tube can also extend from the suction tube and in fluid communication with the lumen of the suction tube. The fluid can flow into the appendage and collect. A portion of the suction tube can also be provided with an inner lining of an absorbent material that can retain the fluid and prevent the fluid from reaching the miniature vacuum unit.FIG. 9shows an inner lining950in the primary tube. The inner line can additionally provide a drag the flow of the fluid inside the primary tube, such that the fluid, under vacuum, cannot rush into the miniature vacuum unit and damage it. Adjacent the inner lining950and near the proximal end is a drainage port960for collecting fluid.FIG. 12shows a syringe1210coupled to the drainage port960for drawing the fluid from the suction tube.

In one embodiment, the assembly disclosed herein can also be used with an oxygen mask. In case, the patient is wearing an oxygen mask, the assembly disclosed herein can decrease the bioaerosol load in and around the oxygen mask.FIG. 13shows an embodiment of the suction tube1310adapted for the oxygen mask.FIG. 13shows the suction tube1310having a primary tube1320, a first secondary tube1350continuous with the primary tube1320. A second secondary tube1340branches out from the primary tube. The second secondary tube1340is circular that can wrap around the oxygen mask. Both the secondary tubes are having apertures1350for drawing the air.

FIG. 14shows another embodiment of the assembly1400. The assembly1400includes a miniature vacuum unit1410as disclosed herein. The miniature vacuum unit1410is having two air inlets to which two suction tubes are shown to be attached. One short suction tube1420extends into the oxygen mask1440. The other suction tube1430wraps around the oxygen mask1440.