Bronchoscopy oxygenation system

Abstract

A bronchoscopy oxygenation system having a channel for inserting alternately an instrument or fluids and for delivering oxygen to a patient. The system being provided with pressure relief vent and a pressure relief valve for the relief of excessive oxygen pressure. The bronchoscopy oxygenation system may be used during bronchoscopy and with patient suctioning, bronchoalveolar lavage or biopsy. The bronchoscopy oxygenation system is intended to be used with a conventional bronchoscope.

1. An open bronchoscopy oxygenation system comprising,
 a) an orifice for receiving oxygen joined with, 
 b) a reservoir housing containing a pressure relief valve, to prevent excessive oxygen pressure, 
 c) a stopcock attached to an oxygen passage for receiving oxygen and further attached to an instrument passage for receiving an instrument, and with the stopcock being supplied a handle controlling the flow through the oxygen passage and instrument passage, thus allowing for the passage of oxygen and/or an instrument through said oxygen passage and/or instrument passage, and 
 d) with the position of the stopcock allowing for the passage of either oxygen, an instrument or fluids to a patient such that the patient may be safely treated. 
 
     
     
       2. The open bronchoscopy oxygenation system of  claim 1  wherein there is a pressure relief vent provided between the orifice for receiving oxygen and said pressure relief valve. 
     
     
       3. The open bronchoscopy oxygenation system of  claim 1  wherein the stopcock is supplied with a handle and a stop-tab arrangement wherein the stopcock can be turned in a direction allowing for passage of oxygen or the passage of an instrument. 
     
     
       4. A method of performing bronchoalveolar lavage in a patient employing an open bronchoscopy oxygenation system comprising,
 a) an orifice for receiving oxygen joined with, 
 b) a reservoir housing containing a pressure relief valve, to prevent excessive oxygen pressure, 
 c) a stopcock attached to an oxygen passage for receiving oxygen and further attached to an instrument passage for receiving an instrument, and with the stopcock being supplied with a handle controlling the flow through the internal passages, thus allowing for the passage of oxygen through the oxygen passage and/or the passage of an instrument through the instrument passage, and 
 d) with the stopcock being attached to a passage running front said stopcock allowing for the passage of either oxygen, an instrument or fluids to a patient such that the patient may be treated, and 
 e) with the method steps comprising the steps of supplying oxygen to the patient through said oxygen passage and turning the stopcock and performing bronchoalveolar lavage through said instrument passage. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the open bronchoscopy oxygenation system is provided with a pressure relief vent between the orifice for receiving oxygen and said pressure relief valve. 
     
     
       6. A method of obtaining a tissue specimen from a patient comprising employing a bronchoscopy oxygenation system comprising,
 a) an orifice for receiving oxygen joined with, 
 b) a reservoir housing containing a pressure relief valve, to prevent excessive oxygen pressure, 
 c) a stopcock attached to an oxygen passage for receiving oxygen and further attached to an instrument passage for receiving an instrument, and with the stopcock being supplied with a handle controlling the flow through the oxygen passage and instrument passage, thus allowing for the passage of oxygen and/or an instrument through said oxynen passage and/or instrument passage, and 
 d) with the position of the stopcock allowing for the passage of either oxygen, an instrument or fluids to a patient such that the patient may be safely treated, and 
 e) with the method steps comprising the steps of alternately supplying oxygen to the patient through said oxygen passage and turning the stopcock to perform a biopsy through said instrument passage with a biopsy forcep and in that way preventing hypoxemia in said patient while said tissue specimen is obtained. 
 
     
     
       7. the method of  claim 6  wherein the open bronchoscopy oxygenation system is provided with a pressure relief vent between the orifice for receiving oxygen and said pressure relief valve. 
     
     
       8. A method of suctioning of a patient comprising employing an open bronchoscopy oxygenation system comprising,
 a) an orifice for receiving oxygen joined with, 
 b) a reservoir housing containing a pressure relief valve, to prevent excessive oxygen pressure, 
 c) a stopcock attached to an oxygen passage for receiving oxygen and further attached to an instrument passage for receiving an instrument, and with the stopcock being supplied with a handle controlling the flow through the oxygen passage and instrument passage, thus allowing for the passage of oxygen and/or an instrument through said oxygen passage and/or instrument passage, and 
 d) with the position of the stopcock allowing for the passage of either oxygen, an instrument or fluids to a patient such that the patient may be safely treated, and 
 e) with the method steps comprising the steps of altemately supplying oxygen to the patient through said oxygen passage and turning the stopcock and performing suctioning through said instrument passage and in that way preventing hypoxemia in said patient while performing suctioning. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein the open bronchoscopy oxygenation system is provided with a pressure relief vent between the orifice for receiving oxygen and said pressure relief valve. 
     
     
       10. An open bronchoscopy system comprising:
 a) an orifice for receiving a gaseous substance;   b) a pressure relief vent coupled between the orifice and a passage for the gaseous substance;   c) a stopcock coupled to the passage, and further coupled to an instrument passage to receive an instrument, wherein the stopcock is configured with a handle to control a flow through the passage and instrument passage, wherein the stopcock is configured such that the position of the stopcock is to permit the passage of either the gaseous substance or a non-gaseous substance to a patient.   
     
     
       11. The bronchoscopy system of claim 10, wherein said non-gaseous substance comprises an instrument or a fluid. 
     
     
       12. The bronchoscopy system of claim 10, wherein said gaseous substance comprises oxygen. 
     
     
       13. The bronchoscopy system of claim 10, wherein the stopcock includes a handle and a stop-tab arrangement to permit the stopcock to be turned in a direction allowing for passage of the gaseous substance or a direction allowing for the passage of a non-gaseous substance. 
     
     
       14. The bronchoscopy system of claim 10, further comprising a reservoir coupled to the pressure relief vent and arranged to receive the gaseous substance. 
     
     
       15. The bronchoscopy system of claim 14, wherein the reservoir comprises a pressure relief valve.