Patent Publication Number: US-2021187225-A1

Title: Intubation assist device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present application relates to endotracheal tubes, and more particularly to stylets that guide endotracheal tubes for intubation. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A common procedure performed by medical professionals to assist a patient to breathe is intubation through the use endotracheal tubes. This may be performed during surgery or during prolonged need for breathing assistance, such as a stay in an intensive care unit. A standard endotracheal tube has a cuff located proximately at a first end of the tube to seal the end of the tube against the inner walls of a trachea where a pilot balloon connects to the cuff to inflate the cuff. During a standard intubation, the medical professional will commonly place a malleable stylet inside the endotracheal tube and then bend the endotracheal tube and stylet together to a desired shape to optimize intubation. Once the endotracheal tube is in the desired location in the trachea, the stylet is removed, and the endotracheal tube is left in place in the trachea. The cuff is then inflated, and a ventilator circuit is attached to a connector located at a second end of the tube. 
     During intubation, the medical professional that is intubating the patient uses one hand to expose an opening to the patient&#39;s windpipe while the professional&#39;s second hand maneuvers the endotracheal tube. Often during this process, the medical professional must use their second hand to suction mucous, blood, or vomit from the patient&#39;s throat in order to obtain an adequate view of the vocal cords, between which the endotracheal tube is placed. However, to remove these fluids, the professional must set aside the endotracheal tube to use a suction device, which can waste valuable time in often crucial periods where the patient&#39;s airway is not secured. Therefore, it is desired to develop a device that provides for simultaneous suction and intubation without having to use a separate suction device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention disclose a suction stylet assembly for endotracheal intubation. In one embodiment of the present invention, an assembly is provided comprising: an elongated tubular member having a first end and a second end, the elongated tubular member having one or more apertures proximate to the first end; a handle member having a first end, a second end, and a side that runs between the first end and the second end, the first end of the handle member in communication with the second end of the elongated tubular member, the handle member including: a first passageway passing through the handle member running from the first end to the second end, the elongated tubular member coaxial with the first passageway; a hose fitting located at the second end, the hose fitting configured to receive a hose that provides suction in removing bodily fluids; and an aperture located on the side, the aperture forming a second passageway through the handle member running between the side and the first passageway, the aperture configured to permit a user to selectively block the aperture with a digit of the user, thereby selectively controlling suction provided between the hose fitting of the handle member and the first end of the elongated tubular member. 
     Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments. In these ways, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. 
     The more important features have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
     Many objects of the present application will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions in so far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a stylet assembly having a sheath portion for coupling with a connector of an endotracheal tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the stylet assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an endotracheal tube having a connector; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the endotracheal tube of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the stylet assembly of  FIG. 1  coupled with the endotracheal tube of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the stylet assembly and endotracheal tube of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a stylet assembly having a tapered portion for coupling with a connector of an endotracheal tube; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the style assembly of  FIG. 7  coupled with the endotracheal tube of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a view of the suction stylet assembly in position in a patient. 
     
    
    
     While the embodiments and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the embodiments described herein may be oriented in any desired direction. 
     The assembly and method in accordance with the present invention overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems associated with endotracheal tubes during patient intubation when patient bodily fluids (e.g., mucous, blood, vomit, etc.) occlude breathing passageways to the patient&#39;s trachea. In particular, the system of the present invention is a suction stylet having a malleable elongated tubular member and a handle member. The handle member is located at one end of the tubular member and has a first passageway running through the handle member that connects from the tubular member to a hose fitting on the handle member. Furthermore, the handle member has a handle aperture located on a side of the handle member, the aperture being an opening to a second passageway that connects between the side and the first passageway. The handle aperture and associated second passageway permits selective control of suction between a hose fitting (connected to a suction source) and a second end of the tubular member: when the handle aperture is in an open state, suction provided to the hose fitting draws ambient air through the second passageway to the first passageway, thereby redirecting suction away from the tubular member. A user operating the suction stylet assembly directs suction to the tubular member to remove unwanted bodily fluids during intubation by blocking the handle aperture, thereby directing suction from the hose fitting to the tubular member. 
     The elongated tubular member of the suction stylet is configured to slide into an endotracheal tube through a connector located at one end of the endotracheal tube. The handle member of the suction stylet serves as a stop against the connector to restrict the suction stylet from further insertion into the endotracheal tube. The assembly may come in various sizes to correspond to various endotracheal tube sizes. Furthermore, the elongated tubular member may have a murphy eye that concentrically aligns with a murphy eye typically found on endotracheal tubes. Through the combination of the features listed above, the suction stylet thus allows for simultaneous suction and intubation. 
     The system will be understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described. 
     The system of the present application is illustrated in the associated drawings. As used herein, “system” and “assembly” are used interchangeably. As used herein, a “fastener” is a rod-like hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more members together through a respective concentric set of apertures. For example, a fastener can be a screw, bolt, nail, stud, dowel, rivet, staple, etc. in conjunction with any applicable nuts and washers generally known in the art of fastening. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Additional features and functions are illustrated and discussed below. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views.  FIGS. 1-2  illustrate various views of a stylet assembly having a sheath portion for coupling with a connector of an endotracheal tube.  FIGS. 3-4  illustrate various views of an endotracheal tube generally known in the art.  FIGS. 5-6  illustrate various views of the stylet assembly coupled with the endotracheal tube.  FIGS. 7-8  illustrate various views of a stylet assembly having a tapered portion for coupling with a connector of an endotracheal tube.  FIG. 9  is a view of the suction stylet assembly in position in a patient. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a top view of stylet assembly  100  is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 1 , stylet assembly  100  includes, but is not limited to, elongated tubular member  101  and handle member  107 . In general stylet assembly  100  is a suction stylet that serves as a stylet in providing structural support for an endotracheal tube during intubation of a patient as well as providing a suction device for removing unwanted bodily fluids that occlude breathing passages of the patient. 
     Elongated tubular member  101  is a malleable metal tube. In general, elongated tubular member  101  may be bent by a user into a configuration suitable for patient intubation, wherein once the tubular member  101  is bent into the configuration, tubular member  101  provides structural support for an endotracheal tube during intubation. 
     Optionally, a flexible plastic rod may be inserted into tubular member  101 . The flexible plastic rod and elongated tubular member  101  may be bent together into a configuration suitable for patient intubation, wherein the flexible plastic rod prevents tubular member  101  from kinking while the flexible plastic rod and tubular member  101  are bent into the configuration. 
     Furthermore, tubular member  101  serves as a conduit for removing unwanted bodily fluids located proximate to a first end to a second end via air suction. Optionally, the elongated tubular member  101  may be coated with a soft synthetic material to allow for low friction removal from an endotracheal tube once patient intubation is successful. Tubular member  101  has ends  103   a  and  103   b  having corresponding openings at each end. As used herein, end  103   a  is a distal end of stylet assembly  100 . In some instances, end  103   a  is a beveled end. Optionally, tubular member  101  has one or more apertures proximate to end  103   a.  For example, in  FIG. 1 , aperture  105  is located proximate to end  103   a,  wherein aperture  105  is a murphy eye similar in form and function as murphy eyes commonly found in the field of endotracheal tubes. However, it should be understood that the one or more apertures, such as aperture  105 , may have variable sizes or may be omitted entirely. 
     Handle member  107  is a handle having ends  109   a  and  109   b.  In general, handle member  107  is gripped by a user during intubation, during removal of stylet assembly  100  from an endotracheal tube, and/or during suction of unwanted bodily fluids of a patient; the user being able to selectively control suction at end  103   a  by selectively blocking an aperture located on the handle associated with a passageway that diverts suction from end  103   a  to ambient air located externally from the patient. Handle member  107  has side  111  that runs between ends  109   a  and  109   b.  End  109   a  of handle member  107  is in communication with end  103   b  of tubular member  101 . In some instances, handle member  107  is plastic. 
     Handle member  107  includes, but is not limited to, a first passageway (i.e., passageway  113 ), a hose fitting (i.e., hose fitting  115 ), and a side aperture (i.e., aperture  117 ) associated with a second passageway (i.e., passageway  119 ). In this figure, passageway  113  passes through handle member  107  running from ends  109   a  and  109   b  with tubular member  101  being coaxial with passageway  113 . Hose fitting  115  is located at end  109   b,  wherein hose fitting  115  is a hose fitting configured to receive a hose that provides suction in removing bodily fluids. For example, hose fitting  115  can be a Christmas tree hose fitting as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . However, it should be understood that a variety of alternate hose fittings may be employed for receiving suction hosing at end  109   b.    
     In this figure, side aperture  117  is located on side  111 . Side aperture  117  forms passageway  119  through handle member  107  that runs between side  111  and passageway  113 . In this figure, side aperture  117  is configured to permit a user to selectively block aperture  117  with a digit of the user, thereby selectively controlling suction provided between hose fitting  115  and end  103   a  of tubular member  101 . 
     Furthermore, end  109   a  of handle member  107  serves as a stop against a connector of an endotracheal tube to restrict stylet assembly  100  further insertion into the endotracheal tube. End  109   a  may come in a variety of configurations to form a stop. For example, end  109   a  may have a portion formed as a female connection for receiving the connector of an endotracheal tube as a male connector, or end  109   a  may have a tapered portion that forms a male connector configured to receive the connector of the endotracheal tube as a female connector. In  FIG. 1 , handle member  107  has end  109   a  recessed into handle member  107  to form a sheath portion (i.e., sheath  121 ) as a female connector that is configured to receive a connector of an endotracheal tube as a male connector. End  109   a  formed as a male connector is further illustrated and described with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8  (see end  309   a ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a top view of stylet assembly  100  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a side view and top view of endotracheal tube assembly  200  having a connector are illustrated respectively. 
     In these figures, endotracheal tube assembly  200  is a typical endotracheal tube known in the art having a connector located at one end of the tube. While some endotracheal tubes include a balloon cuff located proximate to an end of the tube that is inserted into a trachea of a patient, the balloon cuff feature has been omitted from the drawings for simplicity. In these figures, endotracheal tube  201  has ends  203   a  and  203   b , wherein end  203   a  has a beveled end, a murphy eye (i.e., murphy eye  205 ) is located proximate to end  203   a,  and connector  207  is in communication with end  203   b.  In general, connector  207  is a universal or standard endotracheal tube connector that allows for connection to a ventilator circuit once the endotracheal tube is inserted into a trachea of patient. In these figures, connector  207  has aperture  209  and cuff  211 , wherein aperture  209  permits air to pass through connector  207 , and cuff  211  is a portion of connector  207  that connects to a ventilator circuit. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a side view and a top view of stylet assembly  100  coupled with endotracheal tube assembly  200  are illustrated respectively. 
     In these figures, stylet assembly  100  is coupled with endotracheal tube assembly  200  by inserting end  103   a  of stylet assembly  100  through aperture  209  of endotracheal tube assembly  200  until connector  211  is in contact with end  109   a  of handle member  107 . In this figure, sheath  121  sheaths an end of connector  211 . In this configuration, tubular member  101  is sheathed by endotracheal tube assembly  200 . Furthermore, a user aligns stylet assembly  100  with endotracheal tube assembly  200  such that murphy eye  105  of stylet assembly  100  is concentric with murphy eye  205  of endotracheal tube assembly  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a side view of stylet assembly  300  having a tapered portion for coupling with connector  207  of endotracheal tube assembly  200  is illustrated. 
     In this figure, stylet assembly  300  has the same form and function as stylet assembly  100  except for end  309   a  being a tapered portion of the handle member instead of having sheath  121 . In other words, the following components have similar form and function: elongated tubular member  101  is similar to elongated tubular member  301 ; end  103   a  is similar to end  303   a;  end  103   b  is similar to end  303   b;  murphy eye similar to murphy eye  305 ; handle member  107  is similar to handle member  307 ; end  109   b  similar to end  309   b;  side  111  is similar to side  311 ; passageway  113  is similar to passageway  313 ; aperture  117  is similar to aperture  317 ; and passageway  119  is similar to passageway  319 . In this figure, end  309   a  is a tapered portion that forms a male connector configured to receive a connector of an endotracheal tube as a female connector. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a side view of stylet assembly  300  coupled with endotracheal tube assembly  200  is illustrated. In this figure, stylet assembly  300  is coupled with endotracheal tube assembly  200  by inserting end  303   a  of stylet assembly  300  through aperture  209  of endotracheal tube assembly  200  until connector  211  is in contact with tapered end  309   a  of handle member  307 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a view of stylet assembly  100  and endotracheal tube assembly  200  in position in a patient. In this figure, a medical professional inserts elongated tubular member  101  of stylet assembly  100  into endotracheal tube assembly  200  through connector  207 . The professional then positions handle member  107  in contact with connector  207  and connects end  409  of suction tubing  407  to hose fitting  115 , wherein suction tubing  407  provides suction for removing unwanted bodily fluids. The professional then bends tubular member  101  and endotracheal tube  201  into a configuration optimal for intubation, wherein tubular member  101  structurally maintains the bent configuration for endotracheal tube  201 . The professional then inserts end  103   a  of stylet assembly  100  and end  203   a  of endotracheal tube assembly  200  into trachea  401  of patient  400 . To remove fluids  403  that is occluding trachea  401 , the professional selectively blocks side aperture  117  on handle member  107  to selectively provide suction to end  103   a  of tubular member  101  provided by the suction tubing  407 , wherein selectively blocking side aperture  117  is performed with digit  405  of the professional. Blocking side aperture  117  provides suction that draws fluids  403  located proximate to end  103   a  through tubular member  101  and handle member  107 , and to connected suction tubing  407 . Not blocking side aperture  117  results in ambient air being drawn through aperture  117  and to connected suction tubing  407 , thereby diverting suction away from end  103   a.  Once endotracheal tube assembly  200  is in position in trachea  401  and fluids  403  are removed, the professional removes stylet assembly  100  from endotracheal tube assembly  200 . 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.