Abstract:
A medical stabilization device that directs medical tubing onto a compressible foam block where it is attached and stabilized to the patient&#39;s body allowing it to be secured against excessive movement, tube dislodgement and positioned in a time efficient manner to prevent obstruction of patient treatment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    During surgery of the head and neck existing methods of securing nasotracheal tubing can be a hindrance to the surgeon, either obstructing access to or blocking a clear view of the surgical area. One of the methods used to direct the nasotracheal tubing away from the surgical area is to secure the tubing to the patient&#39;s head using operating room tape. This method results in a number of problems. It is difficult to readjust placement of the tape, difficult to remove the tape, and the patient&#39;s hair is pulled out when the tape is removed. 
         [0002]    Another method is to place a towel between the nasotracheal tubing and the forehead. This method does not provide adequate support to stabilize the tubing if it is inadvertently contacted during surgery, and may result in an accidental extubation. 
         [0003]    Another method involves custom cutting a piece of foam, however this is time consuming and non-standardized. The performance of this method is variable depending on the nature of the foam and on how well the foam is fashioned into a cushion for the tubing in each instance. The raw edges created by the cuts also impose a hazard of microscopic flecks of foam being dispersed and potentially contaminating the surgical area. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, positioning the nasotracheal tubing securely away from the surgical area has been laborious and lacking in predictable stability. Most importantly, other methods do not adequately prevent accidental extubation. The present invention solves the problems of the current methods in practice by implementing a substantially U-shaped foam block which provides a conduit onto which a nasotracheal tubing can be attached to keep the tubing stabilized and the surgical area of the face, neck, jaws, or oral area unobstructed. The foam block, or medical tubing stabilization device, may be retained to a flexible band that wraps around the head. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a superior view of a nasotracheal stabilization device mounted on a human head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a human head with the nasotracheal stabilization device mounted thereon in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a medical tubing stabilization device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a posterior view of a medical tubing stabilization device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5A through 5D  are posterior views of a medical tubing stabilization device illustrating various configurations in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    In accordance with the invention the foregoing advantages have been achieved through the present nasotracheal tubing stabilizing device. The present invention includes a substantially U-shaped compressible foam block. The block being comprised of opposing, substantially parallel superior and inferior surfaces and opposing substantially parallel anterior and posterior sides substantially perpendicular to the superior and inferior surfaces. The block further being comprised of opposing left and right sides and having a superior central depression, or channel, along its superior surface extending from the anterior to posterior surfaces, said channel having a depth of less than half of the length of the sides of the block. The length being determined as the distance from the anterior to the posterior surfaces. 
         [0011]    Standard nasotracheal tube diameters vary from 4.5 mm to 8.5 mm depending on the size of the patient. In the preferred embodiment, the superior central depression would have a depth of half to twice the diameter of the tubing to be supported. A piece of operating room tape extending from the headband across the tubing resting in the foam block and attaching to the headband again on the other side provides maximum compression of the foam block resulting in a secure attachment. In another embodiment the tape may be substituted by a Velcro type connecting surface. In another embodiment the tape may have an elastic property to securely position the tube in the channel. In another embodiment a friction fit may be used to position the tubing securely in the channel. 
         [0012]    The substantially U-shaped foam block lies with the inferior surface toward the forehead of the patient, and the posterior side oriented toward the nose of the patient. The superior central depression is aligned with the nose in a vertical fashion across the plane of the face. The foam block can be attached to a flexible band with operating room tape or a Velcro type, hook and loop fastener. The foam block is comprised of compressible foam that can deform to allow the block to envelop a nasotracheal tubing when the tubing is directed through the superior central depression and affixed to the foam block with standard operating room tape. Due to the compressible nature of the foam, the tubing is redirected from the surgical area with great stability, thus not impeding the progress of surgery to readjust the nasotracheal tubing. The band can also be fashioned of foam, soft cotton, flannel, or any other or similar material that would not induce pressure on tissues. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the band and foam block may be used to position tubing and leads on other parts of a patient&#39;s body where there is a need to secure the devices to the surface of the patient&#39;s body without the extensive discomfort often caused by tape. The band, block, and channel of the device could be varied in size to secure medical devices to a patient&#39;s body to accommodate any needs for patient care such as intravenous lines, catheters, drain lines, electrocardiogram leads, etc. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, the block may be fashioned from a different material and covered on a plurality of surfaces with foam or cotton or other such materials to reduce pressure at the points of contact. 
         [0015]    In another alternate embodiment, the block&#39;s left and right sides would angle out from the inferior surface of the block thus forming a trapezoidal prism shape. This would make the block wider on the inferior surface, where it contacts the patient&#39;s body, and narrower on the superior surface, where it secures the tubing. This shape would increase stability of the block on the curved surface of the patient&#39;s body, and still allow sufficient compressibility around the tubing to ensure its stable “grip” or positioning of the tubing. 
         [0016]    In another alternate embodiment of the invention, the block could have a curved inferior surface to more closely adapt to the contour of the patient surface to be contacted, therefore providing more security from inadvertent displacement. 
         [0017]    In another alternate embodiment of the invention, the block and band could be permanently attached as a single piece. In another embodiment the block and band could be molded as a single form. In this embodiment the band would extend substantially from one side of the block to be curved around the patient&#39;s extremity and joined to the other side of the block by surgical tape, Velcro-like closure, or some other suitable repositionable fastener. 
         [0018]    In another alternate embodiment of the invention, reliefs could be cut out of the band to prevent compression of tissue such as ears when used as a headband. Such reliefs could also be used to avoid covering other areas of tenderness or injury on the patient. 
         [0019]    In another alternate embodiment of the invention, hook and loop tape could be affixed to the surfaces of the foam block, and on both ends of the band, thus eliminating the need for operating room tape. 
         [0020]    The present invention enables the surgeon to be unencumbered with nasotracheal tubing whilst performing surgery on the head, neck, and oral cavity. Further, the tubing is able to be repositioned or removed. 
         [0021]    In  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  the medical tubing stabilization device is illustrated as worn on the head of the patient to stabilize nasotracheal tubing. A foam band [ 120 ] extends across the forehead, above the area of the ears, and around the back of the patient&#39;s head. The free end portions [ 121  and  122 ] of the band are shown above the left eye of the patient, but can be drawn together at another location along the anterior or side of the head. In the figure the ends are fastened together with standard operating room tape [ 140 ]; but, one skilled in the art would appreciate other methods by which a repositionable connection can be accomplished. The U-shaped foam block [ 100 ] is connected to the band [ 120 ] at the location of the patient&#39;s forehead with the superior central channel [ 110 ] aligned with the nose in a vertical fashion across the frontal view of the face. The nasotracheal tubing [ 175 ] extends up from the nose and into the superior central depression [ 110 ] of the foam block [ 100 ]. In the embodiment shown, the foam block [ 100 ] is positioned over the band [ 120 ] and a single piece of operating room tape [ 140 ] is used to secure the ends of the band [ 121 ] and [ 122 ] as well as securing the tubing [ 175 ] in the superior central depression [ 110 ]. The compressible nature of the foam block [ 100 ] allows the tubing [ 175 ] to be securely enveloped and stabilized. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a foam block [ 100 ] having anterior [ 103 ] and posterior [ 104 ] sides that are perpendicular to the superior surface [ 105 ] into which a superior central depression or channel [ 110 ] is formed. The foam block [ 100 ] is situated atop the band [ 120 ] having ends [ 121  and  122 ]. The left and right sides [ 101  and  102 ] of the foam block [ 100 ] can be formed at right angles to the superior and inferior sides [ 103  and  104 ]. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the foam block [ 100 ] having sloping right and left sides [ 101 ′ and  102 ′]. In  FIG. 4 , the inferior surface [ 106 ′] of the foam block is concaved. These features can increase stability and fit while decreasing pressure points. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates several embodiments having alternative methods of securing the band, tubing, and block to the patient. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5A  shows the band [ 120 ] positioned under the block [ 100 ]. The ends of the band [ 121  and  122 ] are secured by tape [ 140 ] running over the block [ 100 ], over the tubing [ 175 ], which is in the channel [ 110 ], and to the band [ 120 ]. In this configuration, the tape [ 140 ] secures the tubing to the block [ 100 ] preventing any slippage. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5B  shows the band [ 120 ] positioned over the block [ 100 ] and secured with tape [ 140 ]. In this configuration, the tubing [ 175 ] is held to the block [ 100 ] through friction between the sides and bottom of the channel [ 110 ] and the band [ 120 ]. In an alternative embodiment, an additional piece of tape [ 140 ] could be used to further secure the tubing [ 175 ] to the block [ 100 ]. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5C  shows the band [ 120 ] positioned over the block [ 100 ] and positioned by the use of a Velcro-type closure on the ends [ 121  and  122 ] of the band [ 120 ]. As in  FIG. 5B , the tubing [ 175 ] is secured either through friction or tape [ 140 ]. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5D  shows the band ( 120 ) and block ( 100 ) as a single piece [ 200 ]. In this embodiment, the block ( 100 ) forms one end of the band ( 120 ). The superior surface ( 105 ) of the block ( 100 ) is coated in one half of a Velcro-type closure and the end of the band [ 122 ] is covered in the other half of a Velcro-type closure. In another embodiment, the superior surface ( 105 ) of the block ( 100 ) is covered with an adhesive substance to which the end [ 122 ] of the band ( 120 ) will adhere. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the band [ 120 ] may also be fastened by other means comprising: magnets, clips, staples, or clamps.