Patent Publication Number: US-2009235927-A1

Title: Pacifier for intubated infants

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 
     Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Endotracheal tubes prevent infants from using pacifiers properly, and interfere with proper nursing response development. Therefore a pacifier design that allows an infant to nurse while intubated is necessary. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,000 to Stevens discloses a pacifier with a slot for accommodating an endotracheal tube. However, this device doesn&#39;t allow the tube to move when associated with the pacifier. By contrast, the instant invention allows a user to insert an endotracheal tube into the channel of the pacifier, where it will be securely held, while allowing the pacifier to move laterally along the tube. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,157 to Williams et al discloses a medical pacifier for delivering anesthesia and other gases into the oral cavity of a patient. Although this device discloses a channel in the pacifier, the channel is closed, and used only for delivery of gases, including anesthetic gases through the pacifier. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,044 to Clayton discloses an improved pacifier configured to facilitate the delivery of fluids, including formula and breast milk. Like Williams, this reference also discloses a closed channel extending through the pacifier. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention, to provide a pacifier for intubated infants that holds an endotracheal tube, while encouraging normal nursing development. Another object of the invention is to provide a pacifier that can move along an endotracheal tube, allowing the pacifier to be manipulated and adjusted relative to the tube. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention comprises a pacifier for holding an endotracheal tube in intubated infants. The pacifier allows an infant to develop a normal nursing response while intubated. The pacifier comprises a nipple connected to a flange, with a channel extending through the pacifier longitudinally. In order to ensure that an endotracheal tube can move laterally in relation to the pacifier, the channel accommodates an endotracheal tube so that the tube is retained and stabilized by the channel; but can be moved longitudinally relative to the channel. The channel further comprises a slot running along the channel for ingress and egress of the endotracheal tube. The slot is smaller in diameter than the channel, in order to hold the tube in place once the tube is placed in the pacifier. 
     In order to use the pacifier, an infant is intubated with an endotracheal tube, and the pacifier is brought into contact with the tube, so that the tube crosses through the slot opening, and is disposed in the channel of the pacifier. Thereafter the pacifier can be placed in the mouth of an infant without moving or disturbing the tube. The pacifier can comprise a small size pacifier that holds 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm endotracheal tubes, and a larger size that holds 3.0 mm and 3.5 mm endotracheal tubes. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an endotracheal tube pacifier in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an endotracheal tube pacifier in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an endotracheal tube pacifier in accordance with the present invention with an endotracheal tube installed therein. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of an endotracheal tube pacifier in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention comprises an improved endotracheal tube accommodating pacifier for intubated infants. The pacifier encourages an infant to develop a normal nursing response while intubated. Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the pacifier  10  comprises a nipple  12  with a proximal end connected to a flange  14 , and a distal end. The nipple  12  has an increased diameter at the distal end to be placed between the tongue and pallet of an infant. 
     A channel  16  extends through the nipple  12  and flange  14 . The channel  16  accommodates an endotracheal tube  20  in such a manner that the tube  20  is retained and stabilized by the channel  16 , but can be moved longitudinally relative to the channel  16 . In one preferred embodiment, the channel  16  further comprises a retaining means, including a slot  18  running along the channel. The slot  18  is smaller in diameter than the channel  16 , and holds the tube  20  in the channel once the tube  20  is inserted into the slot  18 . 
     In another preferred embodiment, the channel  16  is disposed above the central axis of the nipple, near the edge of the nipple adjacent to the palate of an infant. The pacifier  10  or the nipple  12  may also be comprised of a resilient deformable material that allows the slot  18  to open to accommodate the tube  20 . In another embodiment, the pacifier  10 , or the flange  14  may be made of a hard material, which causes the tube  20  to deform in order to be inserted into the pacifier  10 . 
     In order to use the pacifier, an infant is intubated with an endotracheal tube. Thereafter, the pacifier is brought into contact with the tube, so that the tube crosses the slot opening, and is disposed in the channel of the pacifier. Thereafter the pacifier can be inserted in the mouth of an infant without moving or disturbing the tube. 
     It is anticipated that the pacifier will be made in two sizes: A smaller size that holds 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm endotracheal tubes, and a larger size that holds 3.0 mm and 3.5 mm endotracheal tubes. 
     All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.