Bronchoscope Adapter and Methods for Using the Same

Abstract

Bronchoscope adapters and methods of using the same are provided. Aspects of the adaptors include a body having a passageway, a mechanical ventilator access port, a bronchoscope access port configured to receive a bronchoscope into the passageway, and an exit port. The bronchoscope access port comprises a reversibly adjustable inner diameter component that provides locking of the bronchoscope at desired position. The adaptors find use in a variety of different applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bronchoscopy/mechanical ventilation adaptor, the adaptor comprising:
 a body having a passageway;   a mechanical ventilator access port configured to operatively couple a mechanical ventilator to the passageway;   a bronchoscope access port configured to receive a bronchoscope into the passageway, wherein the bronchoscope access port comprises a reversibly adjustable inner diameter component; and   an exit port configured to operatively connect the passageway to an endo tracheal tube.   
     
     
         2 . The adaptor according to  claim 1 , wherein the bronchoscope access port comprises an actuator configured to provide for mechanical adjustment of the reversibly adjustable inner diameter component. 
     
     
         3 . The adaptor according to  claim 2 , wherein the actuator comprises a rotatable member. 
     
     
         4 . The adaptor according to  claim 3 , wherein the rotatable member is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the bronchoscope access port. 
     
     
         5 . The adaptor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reversibly adjustable inner diameter component comprises a compressible member. 
     
     
         6 . The adaptor according to  claim 5 , wherein the compressible member is a compressible tube. 
     
     
         7 . The adaptor according to any of  claim 5  or  6 , wherein the compressible member comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The adaptor according to  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a silicone or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). 
     
     
         9 . The adaptor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reversibly adjustable inner diameter component is configured to provide a magnitude of diameter change ranging from 1 to 3.5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The adaptor according to  claim 9 , wherein the reversibly adjustable inner diameter has an adjustable diameter that ranges from 3.5 to 7 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The adaptor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adaptor is configured to be operatively employed with a mammal. 
     
     
         12 . The adaptor according to  claim 11 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         13 . The adaptor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the passageway ranges in length from 40 to 50 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The adaptor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bronchoscope access port and exit port are coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the passageway. 
     
     
         15 . The adaptor according to  claim 14 , wherein the mechanical ventilator port has a longitudinal access that is orthogonal to the longitudinal access of the passageway. 
     
     
         16 . A bronchoscopy method, the method comprising:
 providing a patient intubated with a tracheal tube operatively coupled to the exit port of an adaptor according to any of  claims 1  to  15 ; and   introducing a bronchoscope into the access port of the adaptor.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method further comprises adjusting the inner diameter of the reversibly adjustable inner diameter component. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  or  17 , wherein the method further comprises imaging pulmonary tissue of the patient with the bronchoscope. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to any of  claims 16  to  18 , wherein the method further comprises removing pulmonary tissue from the patient via a working channel of the bronchoscope. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to any of  claims 16  to  19 , wherein the method further comprises placing a therapeutic agent at a tissue location via a working channel of the bronchoscope. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to any of  claims 16  to  20 , wherein the method further comprises producing a fiducial mark at a tissue location via a working channel of the bronchoscope. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to any of  claims 16  to  21 , wherein the patient is a mammal. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the mammal is a human.