Intra-nostril fixation device of nosal tube

Abstract

The Intra-nostril fixation device of nosal tube, which is used for fixing the nasogastric tube in the nostril and solves the problem that the conventional nasogastric tube fixing tape affects the facial beauty of the patient. Comprises: a tube body having a feeding port; and a positioning member having a coupling portion, which is detachably coupled to the feeding port, a stopper portion extending laterally from a side surface of the positioning member, and the positioning member having two or more curved elastic arms which can be flattened and placed into the nostrils, and then bounced up to fix the nasogastric tube in the nostrils. Thereby, the nasogastric tube can be fixed to the nostrils without using adhesive tape, thereby achieving the effects of maintaining facial beauty and preventing the fixing part from falling into the nostrils. The positioning member can also be a curved elastic fan-shaped sheet that can be flattened and placed in the nostril, and slightly bounced up to press against the nostril mucosa to fix the nasogastric tube in the nostril.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a medical device, and more particularly to a device that can fix a nasogastric tube into the nostril without the need for adhesive tape. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Patients who have difficulty chewing or swallowing due to old age or illness, or those who are comatose or bedridden, may require a nasogastric tube to maintain bodily functions because they cannot eat orally. A nasogastric tube is a tube that passes through the nostrils, pharynx, and esophagus, eventually reaching the stomach. This allows food to be delivered into the patient's stomach, ensuring they receive sufficient nutrition to maintain bodily functions.

[0003] One end of the nasogastric tube is exposed through the patient's nostril. To prevent the tube from slipping out or retracting, it is usually taped to the patient's face. However, having the tape on the patient's face along with the exposed nasogastric tube severely affects the patient's appearance, easily attracting strange looks from others, and damaging the patient's self-esteem.

[0004] In view of this, there is indeed a need to improve the conventional methods of nasogastric tube fixation. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a nasogastric tube fixation device that can fix the nasogastric tube into the patient's nostril without the need for adhesive tape, so as to give the patient a good appearance, save the use of adhesive tape, and prevent the fixation device from falling into the nostril.

[0006] The directions or similar terms used throughout this invention, such as "front", "back", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "side", etc., are mainly for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Each direction or similar term is only used to help explain and understand the various embodiments of this invention and is not intended to limit this invention.

[0007] The use of the quantifiers “a” or “an” for the elements and components described throughout this invention is for convenience and to provide the general meaning of the scope of the invention; in this invention, it should be interpreted as including one or at least one, and the single concept also includes the plural case, unless it clearly means otherwise.

[0008] The terms "first", "second", ... and "Nth" used throughout this invention are mainly used to distinguish different elements or features (such as elements, directions or steps, etc.) and do not indicate the maximum or minimum number of such elements or features possessed by a corresponding subject or method, nor do they limit the order of priority.

[0009] The terms "combination", "integration" or "assembly" used throughout this invention mainly include those that can be separated without damaging the components after connection, or those that make the components inseparable after connection. These are terms that can be selected by those with ordinary knowledge in the art based on the material of the components to be connected or the assembly requirements.

[0010] The nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device of the present invention comprises: a tube body having a feeding port; and a positioning member having a connecting portion detachably connected to the feeding port, and a stop portion extending laterally from the side surface of the positioning member and fixed to the nasal septum to prevent the fixation member from being completely embedded in the nostril. The positioning member has at least one elastic arm, and an elastic deformation space exists between the at least one elastic arm and the connecting portion. The at least one elastic arm has an extension end and a connecting end, the connecting end being connected to the connecting portion. The at least one elastic arm has an expansion portion located between the extension end and the connecting end.

[0011] Accordingly, the nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device of the present invention, by combining the positioning member with the feeding port, allows the stopping portion of the positioning member to abut against the outside of the patient's nose, so that the feeding port of the tube can be positioned at the patient's nostril without retracting into the nasal cavity, and by using the elastic arm to prevent the tube from protruding excessively from the nostril, can achieve the effects of maintaining facial aesthetics, safety, and easy removal of the nasogastric tube. In addition, the expansion portion can form a wide contact area with the inner wall of the nasal cavity, so that the at least one elastic arm can have a better abutment and stability against the inner wall of the nasal cavity.

[0012] Wherein, the positioning member has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, the connecting portion is located between the first end and the second end, the connecting portion has a large diameter section and a narrowing diameter section, the large diameter section engages with the feeding port, and the radial dimension of the narrowing diameter section gradually decreases from the large diameter section toward the second end. In this way, the connecting portion can easily enter the feeding port by means of the narrowing diameter section.

[0013] The positioning member has a holding portion, which is located at opposite ends of the positioning member, along with the connecting portion. Thus, the holding portion allows the patient or medical personnel to grasp it, facilitating the application of force to separate the positioning member from the feeding port.

[0014] Wherein, the expansion portion has a maximum width dimension in an extending direction from the connecting end to the extending end, the maximum width dimension being 5 to 15 mm. In this way, the expansion portion can form a wide contact area with the nasal cavity wall.

[0015] Wherein, the at least one elastic arm has a connecting end connected to the joint portion, and the at least one elastic arm has two arms, which branch off from the connecting end in an extending direction to form two extending ends. In this way, the two arms can form a wide contact area with the nasal cavity wall, so that the at least one elastic arm can have a better abutment and stability effect on the nasal cavity wall.

[0016] The positioning member has several elastic arms, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the joint. In this way, the elastic arms can further enhance the positioning member's ability to provide better and more stable contact with the nasal cavity wall.

[0017] The elastic arm has an extension end and a connecting end, the connecting end being connected to the joint portion and the extension end being connected to the tube body. In this way, the positioning member can be connected to the tube body through the elastic arm, which has the effect of preventing the positioning member from being lost or falling off.

[0018] The tube has at least one supporting rib, which protrudes from the outer peripheral wall of the tube. Thus, the at least one supporting rib can provide support to the inner wall of the nasal cavity, thereby enabling the tube to be positioned against the inner wall of the nasal cavity.

[0019] Wherein, the two ends of the at least one supporting rib are respectively connected to the outer peripheral wall of the tube body, so that the at least one supporting rib is arched in an arc shape on the outer peripheral wall of the tube body. In this way, the at least one supporting rib can provide support to the inner wall of the nasal cavity, so that the tube body is positioned on the inner wall of the nasal cavity.

[0020] The tube body has several supporting ribs, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the tube body. In this way, the several supporting ribs can make the tube body stably support the inner wall of the nasal cavity.

Implementation Method

[0021] In order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in addition, those symbols that are marked with the same symbols in different drawings are considered to be the same and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0022] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2, which are the first embodiment of the nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device of the present invention. It includes a tube body 1 and a positioning member 2, which is detachably connected to one end of the tube body 1.

[0023] The tube 1 can be made of soft materials such as plastic or silicone, so that one end of the tube 1 can be inserted through one of the patient's nostrils and pass through the pharynx and esophagus to reach the stomach. The tube 1 can have an appropriate diameter size according to the diameter of the patient's gastroesophageal duct, so that the tube 1 can easily pass through the pharynx and esophagus and reach the stomach smoothly, thereby reducing the discomfort of the tube 1 entering the patient's body. The other end of the tube 1 has a feeding port 11, which can be exposed at the patient's nostril, so that liquid food can enter the patient's stomach through the feeding port 11.

[0024] The positioning element 2 is detachably attached to the feeding port 11 of the tube body 1. For example, the positioning element 2 can be removed from the feeding port 11 when the patient is being fed. At other times, the positioning element 2 can seal the feeding port 11 to prevent foreign objects or pathogens from entering through the feeding port 11. Specifically, the positioning element 2 has a connecting portion 21, which can be generally cylindrical. The connecting portion 21 can seal the feeding port 11 by connecting to it. The positioning element 2 can have a first end 2a and a second end 2b opposite to each other. The connecting portion 21 can be adjacent to the second end 2b. Furthermore, the connecting portion 21 can have a large diameter section 22, the radial dimension of which can be slightly larger than the diameter of the feeding port 11. Thus, the joint 21 can be supported against the feeding port 11 by the large diameter section 22, so that the feeding port 11 is closed.

[0025] Preferably, the connecting portion 21 may have a reduced diameter section 23, the radial dimension of which may gradually decrease from the large diameter section 22 toward the second end 2b, so that the radial dimension of the reduced diameter section 23 may be smaller than the diameter of the feeding port 11. Thus, the connecting portion 21 can easily enter the feeding port 11 via the reduced diameter section 23. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positioning member 2 may have a holding portion 24 located at the first end 2a, such that the holding portion 24 and the connecting portion 21 are respectively located at opposite ends of the positioning member 2. The holding portion 24 can be held by the patient or medical personnel to facilitate the application of force to separate the positioning member 2 from the feeding port 11.

[0026] The positioning member 2 has a stop portion 25, which can extend laterally between the first end 2a and the second end 2b, so that the stop portion 25 can be located on the side surface of the positioning member 2. The extension direction of the stop portion 25 can be approximately perpendicular to the direction from the first end 2a to the second end 2b. Preferably, the stop portion 25 can be located on the large diameter section 22. In this way, when the large diameter section 22 abuts against the feeding port 11, the stop portion 25 can naturally abut against the outside of the patient's nose, such as the lower edge of the patient's nasal septum, so that the feeding port 11 of the tube body 1 is positioned at the opening of the patient's nostril, so as to prevent the feeding port 11 from retracting into the deep nasal cavity and being difficult to remove. In another embodiment, there can be several stop portions 25. For example, when there are two stop portions 25, the two stop portions 25 can be located on opposite sides of the large diameter section 22, respectively.

[0027] The positioning member 2 may have at least one elastic arm 26, which may be made of a flexible material and may extend laterally between the first end 2a and the second end 2b. Further, the at least one elastic arm 26 has an extension end 26a and a connecting end 26b, which connects the first end 2a and the second end 2b. Preferably, the connecting end 26b is connected to the large-diameter section 22. In this embodiment, there are two elastic arms 26, which may be located on opposite sides of the large-diameter section 22. A curved portion 26c may be provided between the extension end 26a and the connecting end 26b, allowing the extension end 26a to face the second end 2b, thereby creating an elastic deformation space S1 between the at least one elastic arm 26 and the connecting portion 21. Thus, when the large-diameter section 22 abuts against the feeding port 11, the elastic deformation of the curved portion 26c allows at least one elastic arm 26 to extend into the patient's nasal cavity, and the at least one elastic arm 26 can abut against the inner wall of the patient's nasal cavity by the elastic return of the curved portion 26c. This allows the feeding port 11 of the tube 1 to be positioned at the opening of the patient's nostril, preventing the tube 1 from extending out of the nostril and being excessively exposed.

[0028] Referring to Figure 3, when the patient is not being fed, the positioning element 2 can be attached to the feeding port 11, and the tube 1 can be pushed into the nasal cavity until the stop portion 25 abuts against the outside of the patient's nose, and the at least one elastic arm 26 extends into the nasal cavity to support the inner wall of the nasal cavity. In this way, the feeding port 11 of the tube 1 can be positioned at the patient's nostril without retracting into the nasal cavity or excessively protruding from the nostril, thus maintaining facial aesthetics and preserving the patient's self-esteem.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 4, which shows the second embodiment of the nasogastric tube fixation device of the present invention. Compared with the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the number of elastic arms 26 can be greater than two. The connecting end 26b of each elastic arm 26 can be connected to the large diameter section 22, and the extension end 26a of each elastic arm 26 can face the second end 2b. For example, when the number of elastic arms 26 is greater than two, the elastic arms 26 can be spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the large diameter section 22. In this way, by having more than two elastic arms 26, the positioning member can have better abutment stability against the nasal cavity wall. In addition, when there are more than two elastic arms 26, the width of each elastic arm 26 can be reduced, which makes it easier for each elastic arm 26 to form elastic deformation and extend into the patient's nasal cavity.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 5, which shows the third embodiment of the nasogastric tube fixation device of the present invention. Compared with the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the elastic arm 26 has an expansion portion 27, which can be located between the extension end 26a and the connecting end 26b. Preferably, the expansion portion 27 is adjacent to the extension end 26a. Furthermore, the expansion portion 27 can have a larger width relative to the connecting end 26b. Preferably, the expansion portion 27 can have a maximum width dimension D in an extension direction R from the connecting end 26b to the extension end 26a, and the maximum width dimension D can be 5 to 15 mm. In this way, the expansion portion 27 can form a wide contact area with the nasal cavity wall, so that the at least one elastic arm 26 can have better abutment stability against the nasal cavity wall.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 6, which shows the fourth embodiment of the nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device of the present invention. Compared with the third embodiment, in this embodiment, the elastic arm 26 may have two arms 261, and the two arms 261 may be bifurcated from the connecting end 26b in the extending direction R to form two extending ends 26a. In this way, the width dimension of the at least one elastic arm 26 can be increased by the two arms 261, and the two arms 261 can form a wide contact area with the nasal cavity wall, so that the at least one elastic arm 26 can have better abutment and stability against the nasal cavity wall.

[0032] Please refer to Figures 7 and 8, which show the fifth embodiment of the nasogastric tube fixation device of the present invention. Compared with the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the elastic arm 26 has an extension end 26a and a connecting end 26b. The connecting end 26b is connected to the large-diameter section 22, and the extension end 26a is connected to the tube body 1. Furthermore, the extension end 26a is connected to the outer peripheral wall of the tube body 1, and the extension end 26a can be adjacent to the feeding port 11. In this way, when the patient is fed and the positioning member 2 is removed from the feeding port 11, the positioning member 2 can be connected to the tube body 1 by the elastic arm 26, which can prevent the positioning member 2 from being lost or falling off. Furthermore, after the positioning member 2 is attached to the feeding port 11, the elastic arm 26 can protrude from the outer peripheral wall of the tube body 1, thereby providing support to the inner wall of the nasal cavity, so that the feeding port 11 of the tube body 1 can be positioned at the opening of the patient's nostril.

[0033] Furthermore, the tube 1 may have at least one supporting rib 12, which may be located on the outer peripheral wall of the tube 1 and may be made of a flexible material. More specifically, the two ends of the at least one supporting rib 12 may be respectively attached to the outer peripheral wall of the tube 1, so that the at least one supporting rib 12 can be arched in an arc shape on the outer peripheral wall of the tube 1, thereby forming a protrusion on the outer peripheral wall of the tube 1 and providing support to the inner wall of the nasal cavity, allowing the tube 1 to be positioned against the inner wall of the nasal cavity. Furthermore, the extending direction of the at least one supporting rib 12 may be axial, radial, or any other direction (e.g., oblique) relative to the tube 1, and this invention is not limited thereto.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 9, which shows the sixth embodiment of the nasogastric tube fixation device of the present invention. Compared with the fifth embodiment, in this embodiment, the first end 2a of the positioning member 2 can omit the holding part 24, so that the positioning member 2 will not form an obvious protrusion at the patient's nostril, thus maintaining facial aesthetics and preserving the patient's self-esteem. Furthermore, the tube body 1 may have several supporting ribs 12, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the tube body 1. Thus, the several supporting ribs 12 can further enhance the stability of the tube body 1 against the nasal cavity wall.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 10 and 11, which show the seventh embodiment of the nasogastric tube fixation device of the present invention. Compared with the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the stop portion 25 has an extension section 251. The extension direction of the extension section 251 can be approximately perpendicular to the direction from the first end 2a to the second end 2b. The extension length of the extension section 251 can be 5 to 15 mm. The stop portion 25 has a clamping section 252, which can be formed by the extension section 251 extending towards the second end 2b, so that there is a clamping space S2 between the clamping section 252 and the connecting portion 21. Thus, when the positioning member 2 positions the tube body 1 in one nostril, the clamping section 252 can extend into the other nostril to abut against the inner wall of the other nostril, so that the patient's nasal septum can be clamped against the clamping space S2, which has the function of stably positioning the feeding port 11 of the tube body 1 at the opening of the patient's nostril. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positioning member 2 can omit the elastic arm 26, and the feeding port 11 of the tube body 1 can be positioned at the opening of the patient's nostril by means of the stop portion 25, thereby further reducing the exposed volume of the positioning member 2, which can achieve the effect of maintaining facial aesthetics and preserving the patient's self-esteem.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 12, which shows the eighth embodiment of the nasogastric tube fixation device of the present invention. Compared with the seventh embodiment, in this embodiment, the stop portion 25 has two clamping sections 252, which extend from the extension section 251 toward the second end 2b, so that the clamping space S2 is formed between the two clamping sections 252. Thus, the two clamping sections 252 can be located in the left nasal cavity and the right nasal cavity respectively, so that the patient's nasal septum can be clamped in the clamping space S2, which can stably position the feeding port 11 of the tube body 1 at the opening of the patient's nostril. Preferably, each of the two clamping sections 252 can have a magnetic element 253, which are arranged opposite to each other. Thus, by the mutual magnetic attraction of the two magnetic elements 253, the two clamping sections 252 can have better clamping stability for the nasal septum.

[0037] It is worth mentioning that the at least one supporting rib 12 of the tube body 1 disclosed in the fifth embodiment can also be applied to the tube body 1 of other embodiments; in addition, in the aforementioned embodiments, the first end 2a of the positioning member 2 can also omit the holding part 24, thereby further reducing the exposed volume of the positioning member 2. The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be used alone or in combination according to the usage requirements, and are not limited to the forms disclosed in the drawings of each embodiment.

[0038] In summary, the nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device of the present invention, by combining the positioning member with the feeding port, the blocking part of the positioning member can abut against the outside of the patient's nose, so that the feeding port of the tube can be positioned at the patient's nostril without retracting into the nasal cavity, and by using the elastic arm to prevent the tube from extending out of the nostril and being excessively exposed, can achieve the effects of maintaining facial aesthetics and safety and easy removal of the nasogastric tube.

[0039] Although the present invention has been disclosed using the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications and alterations made by those skilled in the art to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall include all changes within the meaning and equivalent scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, when the above embodiments can be combined, the present invention includes any combination of embodiments. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0040] [Figure 1] Exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use. [Figure 3] Combined cross-sectional view as shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in use. [Figure 9] Perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of the seventh embodiment of the present invention in use. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention in use.

Claims

1. A nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device, comprising: a tube body having a feeding port; and a positioning member having a connecting portion detachably connected to the feeding port, a stop portion extending laterally to a side surface of the positioning member, the positioning member having at least one elastic arm having an elastic deformation space between the at least one elastic arm and the connecting portion, the at least one elastic arm having an extension end and a connecting end connected to the connecting portion, and the at least one elastic arm having an expansion portion located between the extension end and the connecting end.

2. As in claim 1, the nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device, wherein, The positioning member has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the connecting portion is located between the first end and the second end. The connecting portion has a large diameter section and a narrowing diameter section. The large diameter section is connected to the feeding port, and the radial dimension of the narrowing diameter section gradually decreases from the large diameter section toward the second end.

3. As in claim 1, the nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device, wherein, The positioning member has a holding portion, which is located at opposite ends of the positioning member, along with the connecting portion.

4. As in claim 1, the nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device, wherein, The expansion portion has a maximum width dimension of 5 to 15 mm in an extending direction from the connecting end to the extension end.

5. The nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device as requested in item 1, wherein, The at least one elastic arm has a connecting end connected to the joint portion, and the at least one elastic arm has two arms that branch off from the connecting end in an extending direction to form two extending ends.

6. The nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device as requested in item 1, wherein, The positioning element has several elastic arms that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the joint.

7. The nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device as requested in item 1, wherein, The elastic arm has an extension end and a connecting end, the connecting end being connected to the engagement portion of the positioning member, and the extension end being engaged with the tube body.

8. The nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device as described in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The tube has at least one supporting rib, which protrudes from the outer peripheral wall of the tube.

9. As requested in item 8, the nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device, wherein, The two ends of the at least one supporting rib are respectively attached to the outer peripheral wall of the tube body, so that the at least one supporting rib is arched in an arc shape on the outer peripheral wall of the tube body.

10. The nasogastric tube intranasal fixation device as claimed in item 8, wherein, The tube has several supporting ribs, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the tube.

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