Ventilator to tracheotomy tube coupling

Abstract

A coupling for connecting a ventilator tube to a tracheotomy tube has a latching mechanism which prevents the coupling from axially displacing a tapered tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube after they have been mated in a pneumatically discrete path. For use with known adult tracheotomy tubes which have inner and outer cannulas, the latching mechanism engages the coupling with the leading end of the outer cannula collar with the inner cannula collar sandwiched therebetween. For use with known one piece children's tracheotomy tubes, the latching mechanism is a clamshell contoured to concentrically grip the tapered tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube. Interlocking the coupling and the tracheotomy tube prevents them from inadvertently axially displacing from each other. Non-axial force disengages the coupling from the tracheotomy tube so that the coupling can be axially displaced without exertion of excessive axial force on the system and the patient.

1 . For connecting a ventilator tube having a connector at a leading end thereof to a tubular extension at a trailing end of a tracheotomy tube, a coupling comprising: 
 a tubular member;    means on a trailing end of said tubular member for connecting said trailing end of said tubular member in a pneumatic flow path to the ventilator tube leading end connector;    means on a leading end of said tubular member for mating said leading end of said tubular member in said pneumatic flow path with the tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube by motion of said mating means in a generally axial direction relative to the tubular extension; and    means on said means for mating for engaging with the tracheotomy tube during mating to prevent said leading end of said tubular member from axially displacing from the tubular extension after mating.    
     
     
         2 . A coupling according to  claim 1  further comprising means on said means for engaging operable by application of force in a direction other than said generally axial direction for disengaging said engaging means from the tracheotomy tube.  
     
     
         3 . For connecting a ventilator tube having a connector at a leading end thereof to a tracheotomy tube having an outer cannula and an inner cannula, the inner cannula being inserted into a trailing end of the outer cannula and having a tubular extension on a trailing thereof, a coupling comprising: 
 a tubular member;    means on a trailing end of said tubular member for connecting said trailing end of said tubular member in a pneumatic flow path to the ventilator tube leading end connector;    means on a leading end of said tubular member for mating said leading end of said tubular member in said pneumatic flow path with the tubular extension of the inner cannula by motion of said mating means in a generally axial direction relative to the tubular extension; and    means on said means for mating for engaging with the outer cannula during mating to prevent said leading end of said tubular member from axially displacing from the tubular extension after mating.    
     
     
         4 . A coupling according to  claim 3  further comprising means on the inner cannula for disengaging said engaging means from the outer cannula by application of force to said mating means in other than said generally axial direction to permit said leading end of said tubular member to axially displace from the tubular extension of the inner cannula.  
     
     
         5 . A coupling according to  claim 4 , the trailing end of the outer cannula having opposed annular flanges and said means for engaging comprising opposed means for resiliently snapping over said flanges.  
     
     
         6 . A coupling according to  claim 5 , said means for disengaging comprising means on the inner cannula for spreading said opposed flanges during rotational motion of said mating means about a longitudinal axis of said tubular member.  
     
     
         7 . For connecting a ventilator tube having a connector at a leading end thereof to a tracheotomy tube having an outer cannula and an inner cannula, the inner cannula being inserted into a trailing end of the outer cannula and the outer cannula having a tubular extension on a trailing thereof, a coupling comprising: 
 a tubular member;    means on a trailing end of said tubular member for connecting said trailing end of said tubular member in a pneumatic flow path to the ventilator tube leading end connector;    means on a leading end of said tubular member for mating said leading end of said tubular member in said pneumatic flow path with the tubular extension of the outer cannula by motion of said mating means in a generally axial direction relative to the tubular extension; and    means on said means for mating for engaging with the outer cannula during mating to prevent said leading end of said tubular member from axially displacing from the tubular extension after mating.    
     
     
         8 . A coupling according to  claim 7  further comprising means on the outer cannula operable by application of force on said mating means in a direction other than said generally axial direction for disengaging said engaging means from the outer cannula to permit said leading end of said tubular member to axially displace from the tubular extension of the outer cannula.  
     
     
         9 . A coupling according to  claim 8 , the trailing end of the outer cannula having annularly opposed flat notches and said means for engaging comprising opposed means for resiliently snapping into said notches.  
     
     
         10 . A coupling according to  claim 9 , said means for disengaging comprising means on the outer cannula for spreading said opposed flanges during rotational motion of said mating means about a longitudinal axis of said tubular member.  
     
     
         11 . For connecting a ventilator tube having a connector at a leading end thereof to a tracheotomy tube having a tubular extension on a trailing thereof, a coupling comprising: 
 a tubular member;    means on a trailing end of said tubular member for connecting said trailing end of said tubular member in a pneumatic flow path to the ventilator tube leading end connector;    means on a leading end of said tubular member for mating said leading end of said tubular member in said pneumatic flow path with the tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube by motion of said mating means in a generally axial direction relative to the tubular extension; and    means on said means for mating for engaging with the tracheotomy tube to prevent said leading end of said tubular member from axially displacing from the tubular extension after mating.    
     
     
         12 . A coupling according to  claim 11  further comprising means on said mating means operable by application of force on said mating means in other than said generally axial direction for disengaging said engaging means from the tracheotomy tube to permit said leading end of said tubular member to axially displace from the tubular extension of the tracheotomy tube.  
     
     
         13 . A coupling according to  claim 12 , said mating means comprising a nozzle insertable into the tubular extension.  
     
     
         14 . A coupling according to  claim 13 , said engaging means comprising a clamshell, said clamshell and said tubular extension have complementary three-dimensional surfaces preventing axial displacement of said clamshell from said tubular extension gripped therein.  
     
     
         15 . A coupling according to  claim 14 , a half of said clamshell having diametrically opposite lugs and another half of said clamshell having diametrically opposite fingers for resiliently snapping over said lugs when said clamshell is closed.  
     
     
         16 . A coupling according to  claim 15 , said means for disengaging comprising means on said fingers for spreading said fingers to release said lugs in response to inward radial pressure on said spreading means.