Retainer for a Laryngeal Mask

Abstract

An endo-tracheal tube retainer used to facilitate the removal of a laryngeal mask of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related medical instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening is provided. The endo-tracheal tube retainer includes a semi-rigid stylet having proximate and distal ends and a soft curved stylet cap secured to the proximal end. The endo-tracheal tube also includes a connection adapter that is tapered from front to rear for secure insertion within a range of endo-tracheal tubes, removeably secured to the distal end.

1 . The combination of an endo-tracheal tube retainer and an endo-tracheal tube comprising:
 an endo-tracheal tube placed through a laryngeal airway and into a patient's laryngeal opening; and   a endo-tracheal tube retainer including:
 a semi-rigid stylet rod having proximal and distal ends; and 
 a connection adapter capable of secure insertion within said endo-tracheal tube, said adapter being secured to said distal end of said solid stylet rod; 
   wherein, said endo-tracheal tube retainer is secured to said endo-tracheal tube so that said laryngeal airway can be removed from said patient's oropharynx without dislodging said endo-tracheal tube.   
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said laryngeal airway is of the type having a flexible respiratory tube, and said endo-tracheal tube retainer is sufficiently small in diameter to pass through said flexible respiratory tube. 
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein said semi-rigid stylet extends from the laryngeal opening to a point external to a patient's oral cavity when secured to said endo-tracheal tube. 
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said stylet is adapted for use independently of said endo-tracheal tube as an intubating stylet. 
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said connection adapter is removably secured to said semi-rigid stylet. 
   
   
       6 . A combination of an endo-tracheal tube retainer and a laryngeal mask comprising:
 a laryngeal mask of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening; and   a endo-tracheal tube retainer including:
 a semi-rigid stylet rod having proximal and distal ends; and 
 a connection adapter capable of secure insertion within an endo-tracheal tube placed through said laryngeal mask and into said patient's laryngeal opening, said adapter being secured to said distal end of said solid stylet rod; 
   wherein, said endo-tracheal tube retainer is secured to said endo-tracheal tube so that said laryngeal mask can be removed from said patient's oropharynx without dislodging said endo-tracheal tube.   
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein said laryngeal mask is of the type having a flexible respiratory tube, and said endo-tracheal tube retainer is sufficiently small in diameter to pass through said flexible respiratory tube. 
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein said semi-rigid stylet extends from the laryngeal opening to a point external to a patient's oral cavity when secured to said endo-tracheal tube. 
   
   
       9 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein said stylet is adapted for use independently of said endo-tracheal tube as an intubating stylet. 
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein said connection adapter is removably secured to said semi-rigid stylet. 
   
   
       11 . A combination of an endo-tracheal tube retainer and a laryngeal airway comprising:
 a laryngeal airway of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening; and   a endo-tracheal tube retainer including:
 a semi-rigid stylet rod having proximal and distal ends; and 
 means for securing said endo-tracheal tube retainer to an endo-tracheal tube placed through said laryngeal airway and into said patient's laryngeal opening, said means being secured to a distal end of said solid stylet rod; 
   wherein, said endo-tracheal tube retainer is secured to said endo-tracheal tube so that said laryngeal airway can be removed from said patient's oropharynx without dislodging said endo-tracheal tube.   
   
   
       12 . The combination of  claim 11  wherein said laryngeal airway is of the type having a flexible respiratory tube, and said endo-tracheal tube retainer is sufficiently small in diameter to pass through said flexible respiratory tube. 
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 12  wherein said semi-rigid stylet extends from the laryngeal opening to a point external to a patient's oral cavity when secured to said endo-tracheal tube. 
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 11  wherein said stylet is adapted for use independently of said endo-tracheal tube as an intubating stylet. 
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 11  wherein said means are removably secured to said semi-rigid stylet. 
   
   
       16 . The combination of an endo-tracheal tube retainer and an endo-tracheal tube comprising:
 an endo-tracheal tube placed through a laryngeal mask and into a patient's laryngeal opening; and   a endo-tracheal tube retainer including:
 a semi-rigid stylet rod having proximal and distal ends; and 
 a connection adapter capable of secure insertion within said endo-tracheal tube, said adapter being secured to said distal end of said solid stylet rod; 
   wherein, said endo-tracheal tube retainer is secured to said endo-tracheal tube so that said laryngeal mask can be removed from said patient's oropharynx without dislodging said endo-tracheal tube.   
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said laryngeal mask is of the type having a flexible respiratory tube, and said endo-tracheal tube retainer is sufficiently small in diameter to pass through said flexible respiratory tube. 
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 17  wherein said semi-rigid stylet extends from the laryngeal opening to a point external to a patient's oral cavity when secured to said endo-tracheal tube. 
   
   
       19 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said stylet is adapted for use independently of said endo-tracheal tube as an intubating stylet. 
   
   
       20 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein said connection adapter is removably secured to said semi-rigid stylet.