Patent Description:
A tracheostomy is a procedure which is performed when an upper part of a trachea, which is a path through which air flows in or out, is blocked, and respiratory failure is predicted, solves a problem of respiratory failure by opening a passage to a bronchus from the neck in order to secure an airway even when the upper trachea is blocked.

A tracheostoma is a portion which is formed by temporarily or permanently cutting a portion connecting the skin of the neck and an airway and inserting a tracheostomy tube thereinto to form a path in the human body for breathing, and a patient breathes and discharges secretions through the tracheostoma.

As described above, foreign substances, such as sputum or phlegm, in the human body are strongly unconsciously discharged to the outside of the human body from the lungs or airways of a tracheostomy patient through a tracheostomy tube inserted into the tracheostomy patient, but there are no tools or apparatuses to receive the foreign substances.

As a temporary measure for this situation in a conventional hospital, a paper cup is attached to the neck of a tracheostomy patient and receives discharged sputum, and the sputum discharged from the patient is splattered onto the face of a doctor or nurse, other patients in an intensive care unit, a curtain, a ceiling, and furniture.

Some cases, when a large amount of sputum is discharged, the sputum causes a situation in which it is difficult for a patient to breathe, and the sputum, which is strongly ejected in all directions, can cause secondary infections in medical staff (doctors, nurses, and the like) of an intensive care unit, and thus the medical staff of the intensive care unit complain about difficulties in a treatment environment due to tracheostomy patients.

Meanwhile, as related art, there is <CIT>, Title of invention: INTUBATION TUBE). This patent document discloses an intubation apparatus including an adaptor connected to an external oxygen supply apparatus, an oxygen supply tube having one end portion coupled to the adaptor and the other end portion in which an oxygen discharge port is formed, balloons including a first balloon and a second balloon which are coupled to an outer surface adjacent to the other end portion of the oxygen supply tube and operate independently of each other, a first balloon air supply tube though which air is supplied to the first balloon, and a second balloon air supply tube through which air is supplied to the second balloon, and each of the first balloon and the second balloon includes an oblique extension part surrounding the oxygen supply tube in an oblique direction with respect to an extension direction of the oxygen supply tube.

In addition, <CIT>, Title of invention: INTUBATION TUBE HAVING SELF CLEANING PROPERTY) discloses an intubation tube which has a self-cleaning property and includes a tube body longitudinally extending and including a breathing path and a suction path with a boundary wall interposed therebetween and in which an air flow of the inhalation or exhalation of a patient occurs through the breathing path, and the suction path is connected to an external suction apparatus to discharge phlegm of the patient to the outside of the tube body, and a through hole allowing the breathing path and the suction path to communicate with each other is formed in the boundary wall.

However, it seems that even the related art documents have no solutions for the above-described problems mentioned by the present applicant. That is, the related art does not disclose (i) a sputum container for a tracheostomy patient which receives sputum discharged by a patient into whom a tracheostomy tube (intubation tube) is inserted, (ii) a sputum container for a tracheostomy patient which allows a tracheostomy patient to breathe comfortably, prevents sputum from backflowing from an accommodation part, and is coupled to a tracheostomy tube, (iii) an apparatus capable of addressing secondary infections and treatment environment grievances of medical staff of an intensive care unit due to a situation in which it is difficult for a patient to breathe because a large amount of sputum is discharged from the tracheostomy patient and the sputum is strongly ejected out of the body, and iv) an apparatus capable of addressing a situation in which sputum from a tracheostomy patient is splattered onto a face of a doctor, nurse, or the like, other patients, and objects (curtains, ceilings, and furniture) because a paper cup is attached to a neck of the patient and receives the discharged sputum in the conventional hospital.

<CIT> discloses a closed automated suction device (CASD). The device is designed to overcome the need for manual suction and to facilitate strict asepsis in patients who are endotracheally intubated or tracheostomied. The device includes an outer tube with an inner tube concentrically nested within to define a cavity therebetween. The inner tube comprises a passage extended therethrough for providing ventilation, and the cavity between the inner and outer tubes is configured for communication with a vacuum source to provide aspiration.

<CIT> discloses an endotracheal tube assembly.

<CIT> discloses a disposable sputum collector.

<CIT> discloses a further sputum collecting container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sputum container for a tracheostomy patient, which receives sputum discharged from a patient into whom a tracheostomy tube (intubation tube) is inserted.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sputum container for a tracheostomy patient, which allows a tracheostomy patient to breathe comfortably, prevents backflow from a sputum accommodation part, and is coupled to a tracheostomy tube.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sputum container for a tracheostomy patient capable of addressing secondary infections and treatment environment grievances of medical staff of an intensive care unit due to a situation it is difficult for a patient to breathe because a large amount of sputum is discharged from the tracheostomy patient and the sputum is strongly ejected out of the body.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sputum container for a tracheostomy patient capable of addressing a situation in which sputum from a tracheostomy patient is splattered onto a face of a doctor, nurse, or the like, other patients, and objects (curtains, ceilings, and furniture) because a paper cup is attached to a neck of the patient and receives the discharged sputum in the conventional hospital.

To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a sputum container for a tracheostomy patient in accordance with claim <NUM>.

One aspect of the present invention provides a sputum container for a tracheostomy patient, which is applied to a tracheostomy patient, the sputum container including a sputum accommodation part which accommodates a patient's sputum and a tracheostomy tube coupling part which is provided at one upper side of the sputum accommodation part, is coupled to a tracheostomy tube which is a tracheostomy region of the patient and is disposed in a first direction, receives the sputum of the patient, and delivers the sputum to the sputum accommodation part.

The sputum container includes an oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part which is provided at one side of the tracheostomy tube coupling part in a second direction, which is a direction opposite to the first direction, and coupled to an oxygen supply tube or suction tube.

The tracheostomy tube coupling part may be formed to extend upward from the sputum accommodation part and have a shape bent in the first direction.

The sputum container may further include a sputum backflow prevention part which is formed to extend upward from the sputum accommodation part and includes one or more holes which are open in the first direction to prevent the sputum contained in the sputum accommodation part from flowing backward and allow air to flow into or out of the sputum container.

The sputum backflow prevention part may be provided as one or more sputum backflow prevention parts formed at at least any one side or each side of the tracheostomy tube coupling part on the sputum accommodation part.

The tracheostomy tube coupling part may be formed on an extension part formed to extend upward from the sputum accommodation part in the first direction, the oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part may be formed on the extension part formed to extend upward from the sputum accommodation part in the second direction, and the tracheostomy tube coupling part and the oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part may be integrally formed.

An insertion hole which is formed as an internal protruding type and into which an oxygen supply tube or suction tube is inserted may be formed to prevent the sputum from being discharged to the outside of the oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part.

The sputum container may further include an air entrance including a hole which opens in the second direction to smoothly supply air to the patient.

The air entrance may be formed as a grid structure to prevent, except air, foreign substances including insects, such as flies and mosquitos, and dust from being introduced into a bronchus.

The sputum accommodation part may have a cylindrical shape of which a cross-section has a circular shape.

The sputum container may include a communication part which is disposed between the sputum backflow prevention part and the tracheostomy tube coupling part and has a structure through which at least parts of the sputum backflow prevention part and the tracheostomy tube coupling part, which are positioned at levels higher than a level of a maximum sputum accommodating position in the sputum accommodation part, communicate with each other so that the air flowing into through the sputum backflow prevention part flows into an airway of the patient through the tracheostomy tube coupling part even when the sputum is maximally contained in the sputum accommodation part.

The maximum sputum accommodating position may be a position of a hole having a lowest height from the sputum accommodation part among the holes which are open in the sputum accommodation part in the first direction.

A sputum container for a tracheostomy patient according to the present invention has following effects.

First, a container which allows a tracheostomy patient to breathe comfortably and receives sputum discharged by the patient into whom a tracheostomy tube (intubation tube) is inserted at the same time is provided.

Second, sputum is prevented from pouring out of a container containing the sputum or backflowing no matter what position the tracheostomy patient wearing the container containing the sputum is in, that is, the tracheostomy patient is lying down, turning, sitting, or bowing his/her head.

When the sputum flows backward and returns to the trachea, respiratory difficulties, pneumonia, or the like can occur in a tracheostomy patient, and in some cases, serious problems leading to death can occur in critically ill patients with weak immunity. The sputum container for a tracheostomy patient according to the present invention can fundamentally prevent these problems.

Third, a temporary measure of attaching a paper cup to the neck of a tracheostomy patient can be addressed.

Fourth, a conventional situation in which sputum is unconsciously discharged (generally strongly expelled like a cough) from the lungs, trachea, or airways and splattered on faces of medical staff such as doctors or nurses can be prevented.

Fifth, a situation in which sputum is splattered on medical staff working in an intensive care unit in which a tracheostomy patient is hospitalized, other patients being treated in the same intensive care unit, and hospital room objects such as curtains, ceilings, and furniture can be prevented, and thus secondary infection or contamination problems in the hospital room and treatment environment grievances can be addressed.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments described in this specification and configurations illustrated in the drawings are only exemplary embodiments.

This application claims domestic priority for two patent applications of the present applicant's <CIT>) and <CIT>).

<FIG> is a side view of a sputum container <NUM> for a tracheostomy patient according to the present invention as seen in a direction d1, <FIG> is a side view of the sputum container <NUM> for a tracheostomy patient according to the present invention as seen in a direction d2 which is a direction opposite to the direction d1 of <FIG>, <FIG> is a plan view of the sputum container <NUM> for a tracheostomy patient according to the present invention as seen from above, and <FIG> is a right side view of the sputum container <NUM> for a tracheostomy patient according to the present invention as seen from the right. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sputum container <NUM> for a tracheostomy patient according to one embodiment of the present invention applied to a tracheostomy patient includes a sputum accommodation part <NUM> and a tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM>.

The sputum accommodation part <NUM> is an accommodation part or container which accommodates sputum (phlegm) which is consciously or unconsciously discharged, spewed out, or flows from the lungs, airways, trachea, or the like, that is, from the body of a tracheostomy patient. A process of manufacturing the sputum accommodation part <NUM> having a cylindrical shape of which a cross section has a circular shape is simple, and thus manufacturing costs can be reduced.

In addition, the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM> is a part which is provided at one upper side of the sputum accommodation part <NUM>, is coupled to a tracheostomy tube (not shown) which is a tracheostomy region of the patient in a first direction d1, receives sputum of the patient, delivers the sputum to the sputum accommodation part <NUM>. As illustrated in the drawings (particularly, as illustrated in <FIG>), the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM> may be formed in a shape extending upward from the sputum accommodation part <NUM> to be bent in the first direction d1. In this case, an uneven portion including protrusions and grooves may be provided on one portion, to which the tracheostomy tube is fitted, of an inner side or an outer side of an end of the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM>, and thus fitting reliability can be improved.

Meanwhile, the present invention includes an oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part <NUM> which is provided at one side of the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM> in a second direction d2 opposite to the first direction d1 and coupled to an oxygen supply tube and/or a suction tube (not shown).

In addition, the present invention may further include a sputum backflow prevention part <NUM>. The sputum backflow prevention part may be formed to extend upward from the sputum accommodation part and include one or more holes <NUM> and <NUM> which are open in the first direction d1 to prevent sputum contained in the sputum accommodation part <NUM> from flowing backward and allow air to flow into or out of the sputum container.

One or more sputum backflow prevention parts <NUM> may be formed on the sputum accommodation part <NUM> at both sides of the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM>. Alternatively, one or more sputum backflow prevention parts <NUM> may be formed at either side of the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM>. That is, there may be only the hole <NUM>, there may be only the hole <NUM>, or there may be the holes <NUM> and <NUM> at both sides.

In this case, the present invention may include a communication part <NUM> which is disposed between the sputum backflow prevention part <NUM> and the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM> and has a structure through which at least parts of the sputum backflow prevention part <NUM> and the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM>, which are positioned at levels higher than a level of a maximum sputum accommodating position in the sputum accommodation part <NUM>, communicate with each other so that air flowing into through the sputum backflow prevention part <NUM> flows into the airway of the patient through the tracheostomy tube coupling part even when the sputum is maximally accommodated in the sputum accommodation part <NUM>. In this case, the maximum sputum accommodating position is a position of a hole having a lowest height from the sputum accommodation part among the holes <NUM> and <NUM> which are open in the first direction d1 in the sputum accommodation part <NUM>.

In addition, the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM> and the oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part <NUM> may be integrally formed by forming the tracheostomy tube coupling part <NUM> in the first direction d1 of an extension part formed to extend upward from the sputum accommodation part <NUM> and forming the oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part <NUM> in the second direction d2 of the extension part formed to extend upward from the sputum accommodation part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, an insertion hole formed as an internal protruding type and coupled to the oxygen supply tube or suction tube may be formed to prevent sputum from being discharged to the outside of the oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part <NUM>. The internal protruding type is not a type protruding to the outside and coupled to the oxygen supply tube or suction tube and is a type which is formed inside and to which the oxygen supply tube or suction tube is insertion-coupled. In addition, since the insertion hole is formed in the internal protruding type to have a guide tube shape, there are effects that the oxygen supply tube or suction tube formed of a substantially elastic material is prevented from bending or sagging toward the sputum accommodation part <NUM> and is smoothly guided toward the tracheostomy tube, that is, in the direction d1.

In addition, the present invention may further include an air entrance <NUM> including holes <NUM> and <NUM> open in the second direction d2 to smoothly supply air to the patient. In this case, the air entrance <NUM> may be formed with a grid structure and the like to prevent, except air, foreign substances including insects, such as mosquitoes and flies, and dust from being introduced into bronchi.

In addition, the air entrance <NUM> may not include the holes <NUM> and <NUM> open in the second direction d2 and may include one or more holes positioned at a level higher than the level of the maximum sputum accommodating position in the sputum accommodation part <NUM> to allow air to flow in or out therethrough. In addition, as described above, the sputum backflow prevention part <NUM> basically serves as an air entrance in addition to serving to prevent the backflow of sputum.

<FIG> are plan views of a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> for manufacturing the sputum container <NUM> for a tracheostomy patient according to the present invention, wherein <FIG> is a plan view as seen in the direction d1, and <FIG> is a plan view as seen in the direction d2, <FIG> are perspective views of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> for manufacturing the sputum container <NUM> for a tracheostomy patient according to the present invention, wherein <FIG> is a perspective view as seen in the direction d2, and <FIG> is a perspective view as seen in the direction d1.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sputum container <NUM> for a tracheostomy patient may be formed by injection molding and coupling two portions which are the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>, and for example, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be ultrasonic welded to each other or mechanically coupled using protrusion and groove structures of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>.

In the case of the ultrasonic welding, a method of using a protrusion (protruding part) formed at any one or both sides of surfaces of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be used so that the protrusion (protruding part) is melted and fused in a state in which the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> are in contact with each other.

In this case, for convenience in ultrasonic welding, the first portion and the second portion may be divided along a bent portion in the tracheostomy tube coupling part having a shape bent in the first direction, and a vertically divided portion may be formed in a region outside the bent portion so that it can be easy to perform ultrasonic welding. In addition, there are many ways to divide the first portion and the second portion.

Hereinafter, features of the apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

Since an apparatus according to the present invention may be designed to be installed (coupled) to the tracheostomy tube to directly receive sputum which is discharged and expelled at a high speed or continuously flows through a tube inserted into the body regardless of the will of a patient due to characteristics of a tracheostomy patient, infection of patients and the harm delivered by sputum to medical workers (doctors, nurses, therapists, and caregivers) can be prevented. In addition, a current medical environment, in which there is a lot of sputum splattering in hospital rooms and treatment rooms, can be improved.

Since a tracheostomy patient directly breathes through a bronchus, breathing should not be disturbed while receiving the sputum. To this end, since the apparatus according to the present invention is developed to allow smooth oxygen supply while being used, the apparatus according to the present invention may receive the sputum and allow breathing at the same time. A hole, that is, the air entrance <NUM>, is provided in the oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part which is connected to an external oxygen supply apparatus, and external air is normally supplied to the respiratory tract of the patient through the air entrance, the apparatus according to the present invention, and the tracheostomy tube. In addition, the holes <NUM> and <NUM> of the sputum backflow prevention part <NUM> also normally serve to allow air to flow in or out therethrough in addition to serving to prevent the backflow of the sputum. In addition, the apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus designed in consideration of all situations in which the sputum strongly splatters or weakly flows.

The apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus developed with a unique design for preventing sputum from flowing back into a tube when an amount of the sputum contained in the apparatus according to the present invention is increased.

Since most patients using the present apparatus are lying down rather than standing, or lying rather than standing for most of the time, there is a risk that the sputum flows back into the tracheostomy tube (not shown) in the lying state.

The holes <NUM> and <NUM> of the sputum backflow prevention part <NUM> are provided to prevent this. Since the sputum is discharged first through a hole of the sputum backflow prevention part even in a situation in which the patient is lying down, or the sputum fills up, and the sputum flows back, breathing difficulties which may occur due to the backflow of the sputum can be prevented. That is, since the sputum is discharged to a sputum backflow prevention hole before the sputum flows back, fundamentally, the sputum does not flow in the tracheostomy tube.

In addition, the present invention may include a structure including a partition (partition wall) formed between an inner space connected to the tracheostomy tube and an inner space in which the sputum backflow prevention part hole is installed to prevent a situation in which the sputum flows into the tracheostomy tube when the sputum backflows. However, the inner partition wall may also not be included.

In this case, when it is assumed that there is a virtual plane between the inner space in which the hole of the sputum backflow prevention part is provided and the inner space connected to the tracheostomy tube, the partition wall may be formed on only <NUM>/<NUM> of the virtual plane, and the remaining <NUM>/<NUM> thereof may be open, and thus a situation in which air does not flow into the tracheostomy tube through the holes <NUM> and <NUM> of the air entrance <NUM> can be prevented.

In this case, when a mold is manufactured in consideration of injection molding of the apparatus according to the present invention, the partition wall may be formed at <NUM>/<NUM> (at a side at which the hole of the sputum backflow prevention part is provided) of a vertical cross-section of the apparatus according to the present invention, an open structure may be formed so that the partition wall is formed at the remaining <NUM>/<NUM> (at a side at which the hole of the air entrance) of the vertical cross-section to form an open structure, and the partition wall and the open structure may be coupled to each other to improve manufacturing convenience.

A structure is provided with a design in which a portion receiving sputum and a portion through which oxygen flows are divided and allows breathing even in a situation the sputum is continuously received. The internal protruding type tube insertion hole is designed so that the oxygen supply tube is inserted into the oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part <NUM> of the apparatus according to the present invention in the case of an emergency in which saturation of percutaneous oxygen (SpO2) of a patient decreases. In the case of an external protruding type, since there is a risk that sputum is discharged therethrough, the internal protruding type is formed.

The present invention may also have a unique inner divider (partition wall or partition) structure which prevents a situation in which sputum flows into the airway and does not interfere with breathing even when sputum fills up. A safety hole of the sputum backflow prevention part for preventing the backflow of fully filled sputum has a design which allows the sputum to be discharged to the outside of the container before the sputum backflows.

The grid structure of the air entrance <NUM> through which oxygen flows therein is a structure capable of preventing, except oxygen, foreign substances (insects including mosquitoes and flies, dust, and the like) from being introduced into the bronchi.

Hereinafter, expected effects of the apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

Sputum can be prevented from being transferred to medical workers (doctors, nurses, therapists, and caregivers) when a patient discharges the sputum. Contaminants spreading in hospital rooms and other environments can be prevented. Grievances of the medical workers such as the doctors and the nurses are addressed, and a problem of secondary infection is also prevented. Foreign substances are prevented from being introduced from the outside. The above can be applied in terms of infection control when evaluating hospital accreditation.

The number of suctions decreases. Sputum can be prevented from flowing on the skin to minimize skin troubles. Due to a warm humidification effect, the sputum is prevented from hardening, coughing is prevented, and breathing becomes easy. A hole of the oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part <NUM> which is connected to an oxygen line is formed therein. The partition (partition wall) may also be designed in a product for preventing backflow of the sputum.

The present invention can replace a conventional technology or practice in which a disposal product including a paper cup or gauze is used. An ergonomic design is applied so that it is convenient to apply the present invention to a patient. It is easy to use when moving the patient. A plurality of holes are designed so that sputum can be discharged to the outside when the sputum is contained to an amount greater than or equal to a proper amount. This product is the world's first product which allows discharge of sputum and breathing at the same time.

Claim 1:
A sputum container (<NUM>) for a tracheostomy patient, which is applied to a tracheostomy patient, the sputum container (<NUM>) comprising:
a sputum accommodation part (<NUM>) which accommodates sputum of a patient; and
a tracheostomy tube coupling part (<NUM>) which is provided at one upper side of the sputum accommodation part (<NUM>), is coupled to a tracheostomy tube which is a tracheostomy region of the patient and is disposed in a first direction (d1), receives the sputum of the patient, and delivers the sputum to the sputum accommodation part (<NUM>);
characterized in that the sputum container (<NUM>) further comprises
an oxygen supply and suction tube coupling part (<NUM>) which is provided at one side of the tracheostomy tube coupling part (<NUM>) in a second direction (d2), which is a direction opposite to the first direction (d1), and coupled to an oxygen supply tube or suction tube.