Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a device that can be used to secure an endotracheal tube. In one embodiment, the device is a one-time use device that has a flexible construction with an adhesive side. The device is configured to be adhered to the endotracheal tube and subsequently secure unto the patient&#39;s face. The device is quick and easy to deploy, it reliably secure the endotracheal tube, is comfortable for the patient, and that minimized the chances of infection.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/270,786 filed Dec. 22, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A tracheal tube is a catheter that is inserted into the trachea for the primary purpose of establishing and maintaining a patient&#39;s airway and to ensure the adequate exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. An endotracheal tube (ET) is a specific type of tracheal tube. An endotracheal tube is nearly always inserted through the mouth (orotracheal) or nose (nasotracheal). During surgical procedure, the endotracheal tube is typically secured in place by relatively complex devices. However, after the procedure the endotracheal tube is often simply taped in place on the patient&#39;s face. It is desirable to provide a new endotracheal tube securing device and method that is quick and easy to use, that is comfortable for the patient, and that minimized the chances of infection due to tape contamination. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present disclosure provides a device that can be used to secure an endotracheal tube. In one embodiment, the device is a one-time use device that has a flexible construction with an adhesive side. The device is configured to be adhered to the endotracheal tube and subsequently secured onto the patient&#39;s face. The device is quick and easy to deploy, reliably secures the endotracheal tube, is comfortable for the patient, and minimizes the chances of infection due to contamination. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of an endotracheal tube securing device according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a step of securing the endotracheal tube with the endotracheal tube securing device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a step of securing the endotracheal tube with the endotracheal tube securing device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    Referring to the  FIGS. 1-3 , embodiments of the endotracheal tube securing device according to the present disclosure are described in further detail. In the depicted embodiment, the endotracheal tube securing device  10  includes a first member  12 , the first member including a first side  14 , and a second side  16 , and a first end portion  18 , a mid-portion  20 , and a second end portion  22 . In the depicted embodiment, the second side  16  of the first member  12  includes adhesive thereon. In the depicted embodiment, a semi-rigid member  36  connected to the first member  12  extends from the first end portion  18  to the second end portion  22 . In the depicted embodiment, the semi-rigid member  36  provides structural rigidity to the first member  12  such that the first member  12  retains a shape under its own weight. It should be appreciated that many other configurations are also possible. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the first member may not include a semi-rigid member. 
         [0008]    In the depicted embodiment, the endotracheal tube securing device  10  includes a second member  24 . The second member  24  includes a first side  26 , and a second side  28 , and a first end portion  30 , a mid-portion  32 , and a second end portion  34 . In the depicted embodiment, the second side  28  of the second member  24  includes adhesive thereon. It should be appreciated that many other configurations are also possible. It is also possible for alternative embodiments not to include a second member and/or have the function of the second member integrated in the first member. 
         [0009]    In the depicted embodiment, the first and second members  12 ,  24  are provided in an individual seal package  38 . In the depicted embodiment, the first and second members  12 ,  24  are connected together in the sealed packaged  38  and are configured to be separated from each other by hand prior to use. In the depicted embodiment, the first and second members  12 ,  24  are connected together by a perforated portion  40 . The sealed package can be arranged in strips, on a roll or individual units. The packaging configuration minimizes infection due to contamination. It should be appreciated that many other suitable packaging configurations are also possible. 
         [0010]    In the depicted embodiment, the first and second members  12 ,  24  include a fabric based construction. In the depicted embodiment, the first and second members  12 ,  24  include a hypoallergenic and latex free construction. Also, in the depicted embodiment, both the first and second members include an antimicrobial agent. It should be appreciated that many other constructions are possible including ones with less or more additives and ones with non-fabric based constructions. 
         [0011]    In the depicted embodiment, the semi-rigid member  36  provides structural rigidity to the first member  12  such that the first member  12  retains a longitudinal shape prior to application such that the first member  12  does not inadvertently fold onto itself during application. In some embodiments, the semi-rigid member  36  plastically deforms when bent. In such embodiments, the semi-rigid member can be, for example, a metal wire. In other embodiments, the semi-rigid member  36  elastically deforms when bent. It should be appreciated that many other configurations are possible. 
         [0012]    In the depicted embodiment, the first member  12  includes a first enlarged tab portion  42  at its first end portion  18  and a second enlarged tab portion  44  at its second end portion  22 . Each of the first and second enlarged tab portions includes a width that is greater than the width of the mid-portion  20  of the first member  12 . It should be appreciated that many other configurations are possible including configurations that do not include tab portions or have tabs of other shapes. 
         [0013]    In the depicted embodiment, the second member  24  has a length that is between 60 to 120 percent the length of the first member  12 . In the depicted embodiment, the second member  24  is slightly shorter than the length of the first member  12 . In some embodiments, a semi-rigid member  46  is connected to the second member  24  and provides structural rigidity to the second member such that the second member retains a shape. In such embodiments, the semi-rigid member  46  may extend from the first end portion  30  to the second end portion  34  of the first second member  24 . 
         [0014]    The present disclosure provides a new method of securing an endotracheal tube to a patient comprising the steps of: first, removing endotracheal tube securing mechanism from a sealed package; second, securing the first member to a section of the endotracheal tube; third, adhering a first end tab and a second end tab of the first member to the patient&#39;s face; and fourth, adhering a second member across the patient&#39;s face such that the second member overlaps over the top of the first end tab and the second end tab. In some embodiments, the method also includes the step of separating the first member from the second member by tearing them apart at a perforation line. Also, the method can include the step of removing a backing material from the first member to expose the adhesive surface. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the method can include more or less steps or the order of the steps could be different. 
         [0015]    In the above described method, the step of securing the first member to the section of the endotracheal tube includes wrapping a portion of the first member that include adhesive thereon to the section of the endotracheal tube. The step of wrapping can include wrapping the first member 360 degrees around the endotracheal tube. It should be appreciated that the method may include other steps and sub steps. 
         [0016]    In the depicted embodiment, the step of securing the first member to the section of the endotracheal tube includes forming a V-shaped structure with the first member to stabilize laterally the endotracheal tube. In the described embodiment, the step of adhering a first end tab and a second end tab of the first member to the patient&#39;s face includes adhering the first end tab and the second end tab to the patient&#39;s cheeks. In the above described method, the patients head is stabilized such that the step of securing the first member and the second member does not involve lifting the patents head. In addition, the step of securing the first member and the second member does not involve accessing the back of the patient&#39;s head. 
         [0017]    The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 
       LIST OF PARTS 
       [0018]      10  endotracheal tube securing device 
         [0019]      12  first member 
         [0020]      14  first side 
         [0021]      16  second side 
         [0022]      18  first end portion 
         [0023]      20  mid-portion 
         [0024]      22  second end portion 
         [0025]      24  second member 
         [0026]      26  first side 
         [0027]      28  second side 
         [0028]      30  first end portion 
         [0029]      32  mid-portion 
         [0030]      34  second end portion 
         [0031]      36  semi-rigid member 
         [0032]      38  individual sealed package 
         [0033]      40  perforated portion 
         [0034]      42  first enlarged tab portion 
         [0035]      44  second enlarged tab portion