APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A TRANSLARYNGEAL TRACHEOSTOMY

Abstract: A translaryngeal tracheostomy device having a trocar (11) inserted into an inter-annular space of the trachea, a traction wire (20) inserted into the trocar to move the end of the trochar outside of the oral cavity, a tracheostomy tube (30) with a substantially conical end (40, 55) into which the traction wire is inserted, a fiber optic device (6), and an expansion device (60) fixed to the end of the traction wire to insert the tracheostomy tube in the trachea. A traction guide tool (70) is also disclosed.

Description: APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A TRANSLARYNGEAL TRACHEOSTOMY Description The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a translaryngeal tracheostomy. It is known that tracheotomy is normally performed in an operating theater in aseptic conditions with the aid of an assistant, an anesthesiologist, and a scrub nurse. The patient is placed in the dorsal position, with the head in hyperextension with a cushion under the shoulders to exteriorize the laryngotracheal region. To perform tracheotomy, a cutaneous incision is performed that includes the skin, the subcutaneous cell tissue, and the cutaneous muscle. The incision is approximately 4 cm long and is performed along a horizontal line at the upper margin of the jugular fossa; optionally, the incision can also be performed vertically along the median line, starting from the cricoid cartilage and continuing downward for 3-4 cm. The vertical incision has the advantage that it does not cross the surface veins, but it leads to a more conspicuous scar. In conventional techniques, therefore, in order to perform tracheotomy it is necessary to perform an actual operation, with all the difficulties and contraindications typical of this procedure. The aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a translaryngeal tracheostomy that allows, instead of performing an operation, to insert, according to a new technique, a tracheostomy tube which in practice is bloodless and most of all does not require the incision of skin or muscle tissues, thus eliminating the times andproblems linked to cicatrization. Within the scope of the above aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that allows to apply the tracheostomy tube from the inside outward, radically modifying the techniques used so far. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows to produce a tracheostomy, avoiding an operation and all complications such as hemorrhages, infections, large and unaesthetic scars, and the like, which are normally linked to an operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows to apply the tracheostomy tube in considerably less time than conventional methods. This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by an apparatus for producing a translaryngeal tracheostomy, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises: a trocar that can be inserted in an interannular space of the trachea, from the outside inward; a traction wire which can be inserted in said trocar to move its end outside the oral cavity; a tracheostomy tube which is provided with a substantially conical end in which said end of said traction wire can be inserted; and enlargement means which can be fixed to said end of said traction wire to insert said tracheostomy tube in the trachea and to make it exit from said interannular space by means of traction applied to said traction wire from the other end. Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of an apparatus for producing a translaryngeal tracheostomy, illustrated only by way of nonli itative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a schematic sectional exploded view of the tracheostomy tube and of the parts related to it; figure 2 is a view of the tracheostomy tube, assembled for insertion, in a first embodiment; figure 3 is a view of the tracheostomy tube with a rigid penetration cone; figure 4 is a view of the tracheostomy tube in which the penetration element is formed by multiple cones; figure 5 is a view of the initial step for the insertion of a rigid cannula with a bronchoscope; figure 6 is a view of the step for the insertion of the trocar; figure 7 is a view of the step for the insertion of the traction wire; figure 8 is a view of the insertion of the traction wire and of the exit of its end from the oral cavity; figure 9 is a view of the step for connecting the traction wire to the tracheostomy tube; figure 10 is a view of the exit of the tracheostomy tube from the interannular region of the trachea; figure 11 is a view of the removal of the penetration element of the tracheostomy tube; figure 12 is a view of the arrangement of the tracheostomy tube in the trachea; figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of a tool for pulling the traction wire; figure 14 is a view of the tool assembled at the end of the step for the extraction of the penetration element of the tracheostomy tube. With reference to the above figures, the apparatus for producing a translaryngeal tracheostomy, according to the invention, comprises a rigid cannula 1, provided with an inflatable sleeve 2, that can be inserted in the trachea 3. The cannula 1 can be connected to the ventilation unit to keep the patient correctly ventilated. The rigid cannula is provided, in a per se known manner, with an elastic plug 5 for inserting a bronchoscope 6 without allowing gas to escape, thus maintaining the continuity of the ventilation of the patient. The bronchoscope 6 is placed inside the cannula 1 and allows to identify the interannular space, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Lighting is performed by moving the cannula 1 forward towards the front wall of the trachea 3, so that the beam of light projected by the bronchoscope allows to identify the region 10 from outside by transillumination. A trocar 11 can be inserted in the interannular region 10 and is inserted from outside towards the inside of the trachea, at a downward angle, towards the illuminated region, so that the needle enters, as shown in figure 6, the cannula 1, from which the bronchoscope 6 can now be removed. The trocar 11 acts as guiding element for a traction wire 20 which is inserted so that by passing through the cannula 1 it can easily exit from the oral cavity with its end. Once the traction wire has been positioned, the cannula 1 and the trocar 11 are removed, thus achieving the condition shown in figure 8. The end of the traction wire 20 is inserted in a tracheostomy tube, generally designated by the reference numeral 30, which is constituted by a tubular element 31 which has an inflatable sleeve 32 at one end and, at the other end, a penetration element which is generally designated by the reference numeral 35. The inflatable sleeve 32 is connected to an air supply tube 32a which during the insertion step, as clarified hereinafter, is placed inside the tubular element 31 and can subsequently be removed to connect it to the pumping element 32b. The penetration element 35 is constituted, as shown in figures 1 and 2, by a fixed cone 40 which is placed at the end of the tubular element 31 and on which a flexible cone 41 is associated, for example by gluing; said cone has a metal insert 42 at the penetration tip. In this manner, one obtains a low-taper penetration element that produces a gradual divarication as it enters the interannular region. The penetration element 35, as shown in figure 3, can also be obtained by means of a single rigid cone, optionally made of metal or covered with metal, designated by the reference numeral 50, which is located at the end of the tubular element 31 and has a larger taper angle, producing a faster type of divarication. According to another embodiment of the penetration element 35, shown in figure 4, there are multiple cones 55 which have progressively larger dimensions and are arranged sequentially with respect to the traction wire 20 that joins them. The traction wire 20 has, at the end where the tracheostomy tube 30 is located, enlargement means which have the purpose of preventing the disengagement of the traction wire 20 from the tracheostomy tube when traction is applied to the wire in order to make the penetration element 35 produce a gradual expansion of the interannular region 10, consequently causing the exit of the tracheostomy tube, which is inserted from the inside outward. The enlargement means can be provided in various manners and can be constituted by a first retainer 60, which is fixed directly to the end of the wire and can be inserted in the trocar 11 during the initial step and on which a cup 61 and an elastic ring 62 are applied, preventing disengagement, once the wire has been inserted in the tracheostomy tube. It is optionally also possible to provide an element that can be coupled to the first retainer 60 so as to increase its size and prevent extraction. Furthermore, if one wishes to use a smaller trocar, it is possible to provide no enlarged portions on the wire and to couple to said wire, once it has been inserted in the tracheostomy tube, a small strip which can be folded in the shape of the letter U so as to in practice enlarge the end of the wire, preventing its accidental extraction, even when the traction wire is pulled. Of course it is possible to use other elements that allow to enlarge the end of the traction wire after it has been inserted in the tracheostomy tube, such as for example a knot in the wire. Once the penetration element has been made to exit from the interannular region 10 by means of the traction wire, the penetration element 35 is removed by cutting and the inflation duct 32a is connected to the pumping element 32b; after directing the loose end of the tracheostomy tube 30 towards the pulmonary region, the sleeve element 32 is inflated, thus allowing to ventilate the patient. In this manner the tracheostomy tube is therefore applied from the inside outward and most of all without having to perform an operation that causes bleeding but by simply obtaining a gradual divarication of the interannular region where a very small hole has been formed by means of the trocar. In order to facilitate the application of the tracheostomy tube, and in particular in order to be able to apply correct traction to the traction wire 20, a tool 70 is provided; said tool is shown in figures 13 and 14 and consists of a base body 71 which has a plate 72 that can rest at the outer surface of the trachea in the region where the wire 2 exits. The plate 72 is provided with a passage hole 73 which is larger than the diameter of the tracheostomy tube that is being used. The plate 72 is connected to a guiding bar 75 which ends with an abutment cross-member 76 that can rest at the palm of the hand of the user. A slider 80 is slideable on the guiding bar 75, is provided with grip hollows 81 for the fingers of the operator, and forms a seat 82 in which it is possible to insert the traction wire 20, which can be locked by virtue of locking means constituted for example by a screw 83. In order to pull the traction wire 20, the operator must therefore fix the end of the traction wire that protrudes from the hole formed in the interannular region and then, by resting the palm of the hand on the crossmember 76, pull the traction wire by acting on the slider 80, so that he can easily extract the penetration element and therefore the tracheostomy tube as well. In this manner, the plate 82 furthermore rests against the outer surface of the trachea, thus providing an abutment element that prevents lacerations in the region affected by the passage of the penetration element. Finally, use of the above described tool allows the operator to apply traction gradually, accordingly avoiding forces that are excessive or otherwise dangerous to the patient. From the above description it is thus evident that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, and in particular the fact is stressed that an apparatus is provided which allows to produce a tracheostomy according to fully innovative methods, since the tracheostomy tube is inserted from the inside of the trachea outward, avoiding an operation which causes bleeding and in no way damaging the muscle and skin tissues. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept. All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials employed, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for producing a translaryngeal tracheostomy, characterized in that it comprises: a trocar that can be inserted in an interannular space of the trachea, from the outside inward; a traction wire which can be inserted in said trocar to move its end outside the oral cavity; a tracheostomy tube which is provided with a substantially conical end in which said end of said traction wire can be inserted; and enlargement means which can be fixed to said end of said traction wire to insert said tracheostomy tube in the trachea and to make it exit from said interannular space by means of traction applied to said traction wire from the other end. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a rigid cannula which is provided with an inflatable sleeve and which an elastic plug for inserting a bronchoscope, said rigid cannula being arrangeable so as to indicate said interannular space with its free end by transillumination with the beam of light projected by said bronchoscope. 3. Apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said tracheostomy tube comprises a tubular element which has an inflatable sleeve at one end and has a penetration element at the other substantially conical end. 4. Apparatus according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said inflatable sleeve is connected to an air supply tube which can be accommodated inside said tubular element and can be extracted, when the penetration end of said tubular element exits from the trachea, to connect it to a pumping element. 5. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said penetration element comprises a fixed cone which is placed at the end of said tubular element, a flexible cone being associated on said fixed cone and ending with a penetration tip that is constituted by a metal insert. 6. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said penetration element is constituted by a single rigid cone which is arranged at the end of said tubular element. 7. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said penetration element is constituted by multiple cones which have progressively larger dimensions and are arranged sequentially with respect to said traction wire that links them. 8. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said enlargement means are constituted by a first retainer which is fixed directly to the end of said traction wire and can be inserted in said trocar, a cup-like element being applicable to said first retainer. 9. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an elastic ring which can be interposed between said first retainer and said cup. 10. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said enlargement means are constituted by a plate which can be coupled to the end of said traction wire after its insertion in said trocar and can be folded in the shape of a letter U to prevent its extraction. 11. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said enlargement means are constituted by a knot which is produced on said traction wire. 12. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a tool for pulling said traction wire, said tool comprising a base body which is provided with a plate that can be rested at the outer surface of the trachea, said plate forming a passage hole for said penetration tip, a guiding bar extending from said plate and ending with an abutment cross-member, a slider being slidingly arranged on said guiding bar and having means for fixing to said traction wire. 13. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said carriage is provided with grip recesses for the fingers of the operator, said crossmember being suitable to rest on the palm of the hand to apply traction to said traction wire. 14. Apparatus for producing a translaryngeal tracheostomy, characterized in that it comprises one or more of the described and/or illustrated features.

Inventors: FANTONI ANTONIO, FANTONI, ANTONIO
Applicants: FANTONI ANTONIO, MALLINCKRODT MEDICAL INC, FANTONI, ANTONIO, MALLINCKRODT MEDICAL, INC.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A61M16
IPC codes: A61M16