Blind orolaryngeal and oroesophageal guiding and aiming device
US5038766A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 1989 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S2/908
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a medical device which facilitates rapid, accurate, blind access to the larynx and/or esophagus such as for emergency intubation of a patient's trachea and simultaneous suctioning of the hypopharynx or esophagus. Disclosed is a disposable, one-piece, anatomically contoured guide element having a channel therethrough, the guide element being releasably mounted at the end of a curved blade and handle, which is used to blindly insert the guide element into the throat. When properly seated in the pharynx and hypopharynx, the guide element is positioned about and atop the larynx such that the wall of the channel forms a substantially gap-free junction with and upward continuation of the tubular wall of the laryngeal opening so that an orotracheal tube advanced downward through the channel will be guided exclusively into the larynx and trachea without substantial risk of accidental intubation of the esophagus or other areas of the hypopharynx. Also disclosed are provision of tunnels through the guide element for blindly guiding and/or aiming other tubular-type members into the esophagus or larynx as desired.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.