Otorhinologic Irrigation Systems

Abstract

Systems, apparatus and methods related to improved otorhinologic irrigation and lavage comprising a drainage collector and one or more otorhinologic adapters, which are capable of coupling to an irrigation-liquid container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]The present application is related to and claims priority form Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 911,921 filed Dec. 4, 2013, and from Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 758,692 filed Jan. 30, 2013, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by this reference.BACKGROUND[0002]This invention relates to a medical system assisting more efficient and safer performance of otorhinologic medical procedures. More particularly, this invention concerns a medical system comprising apparatus and methods for improved ear-canal and nasal-passage irrigation.[0003]With respect to ear canal irrigation problems, when a patient complains of a foreign body or cerumen impaction within the external ear canal, it is desirable to irrigate the external ear canal with a solution such as normal saline. Presumably the dilution effect of the irrigation will wash out cerumen and debris. A physician or user may wish to control the source and positioning of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide an otorhinologic irrigation system for collecting liquid draining from an ear canal or nasal passage. It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide an otorhinologic irrigation system capable of assisting to prevent irrigation liquid from splashing onto a health care provider or drenching the patient.

[0016]In addition, it provides such a system wherein such at least one anatomical adapter comprises: at least one extendable tube configured to extend into at least one ear canal of the head; wherein such at least one extendable tube comprise such at least one discharge port; wherein such at least one extendable tube is in fluid communication with such at least one liquid transport tube; wherein such at least one extendable tube is movably engaged within such at least one liquid transport channel; and wherein such at least one discharge port is adjustably positionable within the at least one ear canal of the head. And, it provides such a system wherein such at least one extendable tube comprises such at least one liquid transport tube. Further, it provides such a system wherein such at least one extendable tube comprises axial flexibility sufficient to generate shape conformance of such at least one extendable tube with the at least one ear canal. Even further, it provides such a system wherein such at least one surrounding wall comprises at least one pressure-relieving aperture structured and arranged to assist preventing harmful pressure differentials when irrigating the otorhinologic structure. Moreover, it provides such a system wherein such at least one liquid transport channel is symmetrically positioned relative to such at least one surrounding wall. Additionally, it provides such a system wherein: such at least one liquid transport channel is asymmetrically located relative to such at least one surrounding wall; and such non-central placement assists in directing such at least one discharge port into the at least one ear canal of the head when such at least one surrounding wall of such at least one effluent collector is in the position encompassing the at least one outer-ear structure.

[0021]Even further, it provides such a system wherein such at least one anatomical adapter comprises: at least one extendable tube configured to extend into at least one ear canal of the head; wherein such at least one extendable tube comprise such at least one discharge port; wherein such at least one extendable tube is in fluid communication with such at least one liquid transport tube; wherein such at least one extendable tube is movably engaged within such at least one liquid transport channel; and wherein such at least one discharge port is adjustably positionable within the at least one ear canal of the head. Moreover, it provides such a system wherein such at least one extendable tube comprises such at least one liquid transport tube. Additionally, it provides such a system wherein such at least one extendable tube comprises axial flexibility sufficient to generate shape conformance of such at least one extendable tube with the at least one ear canal. Also, it provides such a system wherein such at least one surrounding wall comprises at least one pressure-relieving aperture structured and arranged to assist preventing harmful pressure differentials when irrigating the otorhinologic structure. In addition, it provides such a system wherein such at least one liquid transport channel is symmetrically positioned relative to such at least one surrounding wall. And, it provides such a system wherein: such at least one liquid transport channel is asymmetrically located relative to such at least one surrounding wall; and such non-central placement assists in directing such at least one discharge port into the at least one ear canal of the head when such at least one surrounding wall of such at least one effluent collector is in the position encompassing the at least one outer-ear structure.

Problems solved by technology

For example, improper positioning of an ear canal irrigation device may sometimes present the risk of trauma, e.g., to the external ear canal.

This is not always convenient for the patient or caregiver.

When using large volumes of liquid or high amounts of pressure, contaminated liquid may spread to unwanted surfaces, including splashing onto a health care provider or drenching the patient.

This is undesirable as, e.g., the risk of spreading of disease is heightened and there may be undesirable effects of getting a patient wet.

The excess liquid may also be an inconvenience for otherwise healthy patients; they may have to remove their clothing to prevent them from getting soaked.

The above situation may be uncomfortable for the patient in a busy emergency room; and, the time necessary for the patient to disrobe would delay a doctor's or nurse's ability to treat such patient or other waiting patients more expeditiously.

These disadvantages may decrease the incentive for an operator, such as a physician, to appropriately use optimal large volumes of irrigation liquid, and therefore the difficulty of properly irrigating the ear canal increases.

A female threaded device does not exist that fit any of the commercially available standard wide-mouth irrigation pour bottles.

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