Combined system of hidden closed tracheoscope and artificial airway breathing circuit

Abstract

The application discloses a hidden closed tracheoscope and artificial airway breathing circuit combined system. The combined system comprises an artificial airway breathing pipeline and a tracheoscope. The artificial airway breathing pipeline comprises an inhalation circuit and an exhalation circuit connected by a connecting pipe. The tracheoscope comprises a handle part and an insertion part connected with the handle part. The tracheoscope handle part is wrapped on one section of the exhalation circuit. The application is based on the existing breathing circuit and disposable tracheoscope for structural modification. The tracheoscope insertion part is hidden in a section of the telescopic breathing circuit. The telescopic function makes the tracheoscope insertion part advance or retreat in the closed condition. The tracheoscope handle function components are ingeniously wrapped on the surface of the breathing circuit pipeline. The functions of the tracheoscope handle and the breathing circuit are organically combined. Meanwhile, the pipeline interface can be cleaned to keep the tracheoscope clean and unobstructed. The service life of the tracheoscope can be prolonged from single use to about 1-2 weeks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a concealed, sealed bronchoscope and artificial airway breathing circuit combination system, belonging to the field of medical device technology. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, patients with established artificial airways are divided into two categories: those with respiratory diseases and those with non-respiratory diseases. The former may have more airway secretions, while the latter, due to limited coughing, secretions on the cuff, and regurgitation / aspiration, also have more secretions in their airways. Both require suctioning to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). These patients require 10-20 airway suctions daily and regular bronchoscopic suctioning to effectively clear the airway, reduce the incidence of VAP, and assist in treatment. Current airway suctioning methods use both conventional and closed suction catheters, employing blind suctioning. Closed suction catheters reduce the risk of infection due to their closed operation, but have a shorter lifespan and more complex components. Both blind suctioning methods are inefficient because they do not allow direct visualization of the airway, limiting suction to the trachea and artificial airway, excluding the left and right main bronchi and their branches. Furthermore, they are prone to damaging the airway mucosa, inducing adverse physiological reactions, and in severe cases, even worsening the condition.

[0003] Airway management is crucial for patients with artificial airways, and the most effective method is based on visual manipulation. Regular bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, suctioning, and even interventional procedures are the most effective and reliable approaches. Bronchoscopes are available in reusable and disposable versions. Reusable bronchoscopes are powerful, require no consumables, can be repeatedly sterilized, and have low per-use costs; however, they pose risks of contamination and are expensive, leading to a decline in their use in ICUs. Disposable bronchoscopes are increasingly used, overcoming the contamination risks and high costs associated with reusable models. However, their higher per-use cost significantly limits their widespread adoption. Some patients with excessive airway secretions may require multiple bronchoscopy sessions within 24 hours, significantly increasing daily costs and limiting bronchoscopy use, impacting airway management, and increasing the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Therefore, the main problem in airway management in the ICU is that the cost and convenience of disposable bronchoscopes restrict their dynamic monitoring and on-demand use. As a result, many hospitals at home and abroad repeatedly disinfect and reuse disposable bronchoscopes, which not only violates medical standards but also poses a significant risk of infection.

[0004] Therefore, the current cost and convenience of single-use bronchoscopy are key factors restricting the rational, dynamic, and on-demand use of disposable bronchoscopes, and are also core factors in airway visualization management. These issues currently trouble clinicians, thus necessitating the development of products and solutions to address these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the technical problem of transforming artificial airway management from an inefficient method based on blind suction to a continuous, convenient, visualized, and low-cost efficient mode, so as to comprehensively popularize and improve the level of airway management and improve the prognosis of critically ill patients. This invention provides a hidden closed bronchoscope and artificial airway breathing circuit combination system.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a concealed closed bronchoscope and artificial airway breathing circuit combination system. The combination system includes an artificial airway breathing circuit and a bronchoscope. The artificial airway breathing circuit includes an inhalation circuit and an exhalation circuit connected by a connecting tube.

[0007] The exhalation circuit includes a front retractable corrugated tube, a standard breathing circuit tube with a bronchoscope handle, and a tail retractable corrugated tube connected in series. The front retractable corrugated tube is connected to a connecting tube. The front retractable corrugated tube is provided with an upward water injection channel and a downward drainage channel.

[0008] The bronchoscope includes a handle and an insertion part connected to the handle. One end of the insertion part is connected to the handle, and the other end is a curved part. The head end of the curved part is provided with a camera lens, an LED light source, and a working channel.

[0009] The insertion part is inserted into the front retractable corrugated tube and passes through the connecting tube. The insertion part is configured such that the insertion part extends forward and the bending part extends out of the connecting tube by the contraction of the front retractable corrugated tube.

[0010] The handle includes a housing, a bronchoscope bending direction control component, a bronchoscope bending direction control handle, and a handle functional component. The diameter of the housing is larger than that of a standard breathing circuit tube and it wraps around the standard breathing circuit tube. The bronchoscope bending direction control component is located inside the housing. The bronchoscope bending direction control handle is connected to the housing through a handle sleeve, and its operating end is exposed.

[0011] Preferably, the connections between the front retractable corrugated tube and the connecting tube, between the front retractable corrugated tube and the standard breathing circuit tube, and between the standard breathing circuit tube and the tail retractable corrugated tube are all detachable.

[0012] More preferably, the detachable connection is made via a rotatable coupling connector.

[0013] Preferably, both the water injection channel and the drainage channel are equipped with regulating valves and sealing caps for closing the channel openings.

[0014] Preferably, the housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing that can be opened and mounted on the box, and the bronchoscope bending direction control handle is connected to the upper housing via a handle sleeve with its operating end exposed.

[0015] Preferably, a head end pipe separator is provided between the front end retractable corrugated tube and the standard breathing circuit tube, and a limiting hole is provided on the head end pipe separator, and the insertion part is inserted into the limiting hole.

[0016] Preferably, an electronic control module is provided inside the handle housing and outside the standard breathing circuit tube. The electronic control module includes an electrically connected power / video signal line and a power conversion / video processing chip.

[0017] The handle is also equipped with a negative pressure suction tube, a negative pressure control button that is connected to the negative pressure suction tube and electrically connected to the electronic control module, and a power / video signal connector with an integrated electrical connection cable (the connector is used to connect to an external host).

[0018] One end of the negative pressure suction tube is connected to the insertion part, and the other end is provided with a negative pressure suction connector. The negative pressure suction tube passes through the inside of the handle part, and the negative pressure suction connector is exposed outside the outer shell of the handle part.

[0019] Preferably, a working channel is provided at the connection between the insertion part and the negative pressure suction pipeline, and the working channel is connected to the insertion part and the negative pressure suction pipeline respectively through a connecting pipe.

[0020] Preferably, a tail-end pipe separator is provided between the standard breathing circuit tube and the tail-end retractable corrugated tube. The tail-end pipe separator has limiting holes for inserting the negative pressure suction tube and the power / video signal connector, respectively. The negative pressure suction tube and the power / video signal connector are respectively inserted into the limiting holes of the tail-end pipe separator so that their connectors are exposed.

[0021] Preferably, the negative pressure control button is connected to the lower outer shell of the handle via a button sleeve, and its operating end is exposed. The working channel is connected to the lower outer shell of the handle via a tube sleeve, and the tube sleeve is provided with a tube cap for closing the opening of the working channel.

[0022] Preferably, the standard breathing circuit tubing is a non-extendable tubing;

[0023] And / or, the front-end retractable corrugated pipe includes at least one retractable corrugated pipe section.

[0024] Preferably, the front-end retractable corrugated pipe includes two sections of retractable corrugated pipe that are fixedly connected or detachably connected.

[0025] More preferably, the front-end retractable corrugated pipe includes two retractable corrugated pipe sections connected by a rotatable coupling joint.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0027] (1) The present invention provides a concealed closed bronchoscope and breathing circuit combination system, which is based on the existing breathing circuit and disposable bronchoscope and the structure is modified. The bronchoscope insertion part is hidden in a section of retractable breathing circuit. The retraction allows the bronchoscope insertion part to move forward or backward in a closed state. Moreover, the bronchoscope handle component is cleverly wrapped around the surface of the breathing circuit tube, and the functions of the bronchoscope handle and the breathing circuit are organically combined. At the same time, the tube interface can be cleaned to keep the bronchoscope clean and unobstructed. In this way, the service life of the bronchoscope can be extended from a single use to about 1-2 weeks.

[0028] (2) This invention organically integrates the breathing circuit and the bronchoscope into one, making the operation of the bronchoscope extremely convenient. The operation method is closed, which can realize the dynamic and visual management of the artificial airway throughout the process. The system pipeline is equipped with an external interface to clean the insertion part of the bronchoscope, and can also be connected to negative pressure suction, thereby keeping the bronchoscope clean and unobstructed, maintaining the normal function of the bronchoscope, extending the service life of the bronchoscope, and significantly reducing the cost of a single bronchoscope operation.

[0029] (3) The system of the present invention can transform artificial airway management from an inefficient method based on blind suction to a continuous, convenient, efficient, visualized and low-cost mode, comprehensively improve the level of airway management, thereby avoiding cross-infection, reducing the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and ultimately improving the prognosis of critically ill patients. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a concealed closed bronchoscope and artificial airway breathing circuit combination system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the combined system of the present invention in a normal unused state (A) and a used state (B);

[0032] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the bronchoscope and its connector connection structure;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bronchoscopy scope;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting pipe structure;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a rotatable coupling connector.

[0036] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the connection structure between the handle and the exhalation circuit;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the handle section structure;

[0038] Figure 9 This is a partial schematic diagram of the handle.

[0039] Reference numerals: 1. Artificial airway tubing; 2. Bronchoscope; 3. Connecting tubing; 4. Inspiratory circuit; 5. Expiratory circuit; 2-1. Handle; 2-2. Insertion section; 2-3. Bending section; 2-4. Bronchoscope bending section direction control handle; 2-5. Upper outer shell of the handle; 2-6. Lower outer shell of the handle; 2-7. Power / video signal cable; 2-8. Power conversion / video processing chip; 2-9. Negative pressure suction tubing; 2-10. Negative pressure control button; 2-11. Working channel; 2-12. Power / video signal connector; 2-13. Negative pressure suction connector; 2-14. Bronchoscope bending section direction control rope fixing piece; 2-15. Bronchoscope bending section direction control rope; 2-16. Bronchoscope bending section direction control wheel; 2-17. Bronchoscope insertion section fixing piece; 2-18. Handle 2-19. Button sleeve; 2-20. Tube sleeve; 2-21. Tube cap; 3-1. Threaded tube; 3-2. Bend; 3-3. Straight-in Y-tube; 3-4. Artificial airway interface; 3-5. Rotatable coupling connector A; 3-6. Rotatable coupling connector B; 3-7. Rotatable coupling connector C; 3-8. Insert; 5-1. Front retractable corrugated tube; 5-2. Standard breathing circuit tube; 5-3. Tail retractable corrugated tube; 5-4. First rotatable coupling connector; 5-5. Second rotatable coupling connector; 5-6. Head end pipe divider connector; 5-7. Water injection channel; 5-8. Drainage channel; 5-9. Tail end pipe divider connector; 5-10. Seal; A. Forward rotatable coupling connector; B. Reverse rotatable coupling connector; C. Outer sleeve; D. Inner sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To make the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Example

[0042] This embodiment provides a concealed, closed bronchoscope and artificial airway breathing circuit combination system, such as Figures 1-9As shown, the combined system includes an artificial airway tubing 1 and a bronchoscope 2. The artificial airway tubing 1 includes an inspiratory circuit 4 and an expiratory circuit 5 connected by a connecting tube 3. The bronchoscope includes a handle 2-1 and an insertion part 2-2 connected to the handle. One end of the insertion part 2-2 is connected to the handle 2-1, and the other end is a curved part 2-3. The direction of the curved part is adjustable, specifically it can be a curved snake bone. It is inserted into the human trachea for tracheal detection and visual suctioning. The head end of the curved part 2-3 is equipped with a camera lens, an LED light source, and a working channel (the present invention describes the structure of the curved part). The structure and composition remain unchanged, referring to the existing structure and composition of the bronchoscope's curved section; the expiratory circuit 5 includes a front-end retractable corrugated tube 5-1 connected in series, a standard breathing circuit tube 5-2 (the standard breathing circuit tube is a non-retractable tube, designed according to the existing standard breathing circuit) with a bronchoscope handle located in the middle section, and a rear-end retractable corrugated tube 5-3, wherein the first retractable corrugated tube 5-1 is connected to the connecting tube 3 in a detachable manner, and the bronchoscope handle 2-1 includes a housing and a bronchoscope curved section direction control component (including the bronchoscope curved section). The bronchoscope includes a directional control rope fixing component 2-14, a bronchoscope bending section directional control rope 2-15, a bronchoscope bending section directional control wheel 2-16, a bronchoscope bending section directional control handle 2-4, and a handle functional component. The outer shell is fitted over the standard breathing circuit tube 5-2 (i.e., the diameter of the outer shell is larger than the standard breathing circuit tube and wraps around the standard breathing circuit tube 5-2). The bronchoscope bending section directional control component is located inside the outer shell. The bronchoscope bending section directional control handle 2-4 is connected to the outer shell via a handle sleeve 2-18. A sleeve 2-18 is fitted onto the outer casing with its operating end exposed, facilitating adjustment of the direction of the bronchoscope's curved section 2-3 (curved section angle adjustment) via sliding operation. The outer casing may specifically include an upper outer casing 2-5 and a lower outer casing 2-6 that can be opened and closed onto the handle. The bronchoscope's curved section direction control handle 2-4 is fitted onto the upper outer casing 2-5 for easy operation. The bronchoscope's insertion section 2-2 is inserted into the front retractable corrugated tube 5-1 and extends into the connecting tube 3. The retraction of the front retractable corrugated tube 5-1 propels it forward towards the trachea for insertion. The handle's functional components include an electronic control module, a power / video signal line 2-7, a power conversion / video processing chip 2-8, a negative pressure suction tube 2-9, a negative pressure control button 2-10, and a working channel 2-11, among other inherent functional components of the bronchoscope handle.

[0043] In this embodiment, the front retractable corrugated tube 5-1, the standard breathing circuit tube 5-2, and the rear retractable corrugated tube 5-3 are detachably connected. Specifically, in this embodiment, the front retractable corrugated tube 5-1 and the standard breathing circuit tube 5-2 are connected via a first rotatable coupling connector 5-4, and the standard breathing circuit tube 5-2 and the rear retractable corrugated tube 5-3 are connected via a second rotatable coupling connector 5-5. The rotatable coupling connectors allow the handle to be rotated for adjustment, thereby adjusting the direction of the bronchoscope's curved section 2-3. Combined with the curved section direction control handle 2-4, not only can the angle be adjusted via the curved section direction control handle 2-4, but the circumferential adjustment is also possible via the rotation of the handle, allowing the curved section to be adjusted in different directions and angles, thus facilitating suctioning operations at the tip of the curved section. See also... Figures 3-4 .

[0044] In this embodiment, the standard breathing circuit tube is further provided with a bronchoscope insertion part fixing member 2-17 to facilitate the fixing of the bronchoscope insertion part 2-2. The bronchoscope insertion part fixing member 2-17 can be a fixing ring, in which the bronchoscope insertion part 2-2 is inserted to limit the bronchoscope insertion part. See also Figure 3 .

[0045] Furthermore, a head-end tubing separator 5-6 is provided between the front-end retractable corrugated tube 5-1 and the standard breathing circuit tube 5-2. The head-end tubing separator 5-6 has a limiting hole, and the insertion part 2-2 is inserted into the limiting hole to further limit the bronchoscope insertion part. See also... Figure 3 .

[0046] In this embodiment, the front-end retractable corrugated tube 5-1 is respectively provided with an upward-facing water injection channel 5-7 and a downward-facing drainage channel 5-8. Both the water injection and drainage channels are equipped with regulating valves, and both channels have sealing caps at their openings. Water can be injected through the water injection channel 5-7 to clean the exterior of the bronchoscope insertion section, and then drained through the drainage channel 5-8. The drainage channel can also be connected to a negative pressure suction system for easy removal of small amounts of sputum adhering to the tip of the insertion section. See also... Figures 1-2 .

[0047] Furthermore, to ensure the airtightness of the breathing circuit, a seal (which can be a sealing ring) is provided at the adjacent pipe joints, such as the seal 5-10 at the joint of the front retractable bellows 5-1 and the standard breathing circuit pipe 5-2, see [link to documentation]. Figure 3 .

[0048] In this embodiment, an electronic control module is also provided outside the standard breathing circuit tube 5-2 inside the outer shell of the handle part 2-1. The electronic control module includes a power / video signal line 2-7 and a power conversion / video processing chip 2-8 connected electrically. The functional components provided in the handle part also include a negative pressure suction tube 2-9, a negative pressure control button 2-10 connected to the negative pressure suction tube 2-9 and electrically connected to the electronic control module, and a working channel 2-11 provided on the negative pressure suction tube 2-9 and forming a branch of the negative pressure suction tube 2-9. The electrical connection wires of the power / video signal line 2-7 and other components (including the negative pressure control button and the bronchoscope bending direction control handle) are all integrated into a power / video signal connector. 2-12; A tail-end pipe split connector 5-9 is also provided between the standard breathing circuit tube 5-2 and the tail-end retractable corrugated tube 3 (at the connection point). The negative pressure control button 2-10 is sleeved on the lower outer shell 2-6 of the handle. One end of the negative pressure suction tube 2-9 is connected to the insertion part 2-2, and the other end is provided with a negative pressure suction connector 2-13. The negative pressure suction tube 2-9 extends laterally through the inside of the handle, passes through the tail-end pipe split connector 5-9, and extends out from the tail-end pipe split connector 5-9, thereby exposing the negative pressure suction connector 2-13 for easy connection to an external negative pressure suction device. Similarly, the power / video signal connector 2-12 is exposed after passing through the tail-end pipe split connector 5-9 for easy connection to an external host. See also Figures 3-4 .

[0049] Furthermore, the negative pressure control button 2-10 is connected to the lower outer shell 2-6 of the handle via a button sleeve 2-19, and its operating end protrudes from the lower outer shell of the handle. Similarly, the working channel 2-11 is connected to the lower outer shell 2-6 of the handle via a tube sleeve 2-20, and a tube cap 2-21 for closing the working channel 2-11 is also connected to the tube sleeve 2-20. See also Figures 3-4 .

[0050] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, the connecting pipe specifically comprises: a threaded pipe 3-1, a bent pipe 3-2, a straight-in Y-type pipe 3-3, an artificial airway interface 3-4, a rotatable coupling connector A 3-5, a rotatable coupling connector B 3-6, a rotatable coupling connector C 3-7, and a socket 3-8.

[0051] In this embodiment, the rotatable coupling connector is composed as follows: Figure 6 As shown, in order to ensure the consistency of the rotation direction, the rotatable coupling joints connected to the two ends of the same pipe are in opposite directions, that is, a pair of forward rotatable coupling joints and reverse rotatable coupling joints.

[0052] The working principle and process are as follows:

[0053] By adjusting the length of the telescopic breathing circuit tubing (tip-end telescopic corrugated tube 5-1), the bronchoscope insertion section, concealed within the circuit, can be moved forward or backward. The bronchoscope is operated via a handle integrated into the breathing circuit, which features four rotatable coupling connectors for adjusting the handle and breathing circuit, allowing for a convenient and rapid completion of a bronchoscopy. The bronchoscope is kept clean and unobstructed through water injection via the water channel and negative pressure suction, ensuring its proper function.

[0054] The above-described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention in any form or substance. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and additions without departing from the present invention, and these improvements and additions should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A concealed, sealed bronchoscope and artificial airway breathing circuit combination system, characterized in that, The combined system includes an artificial airway breathing circuit and a bronchoscope, wherein the artificial airway breathing circuit includes an inspiratory circuit and an expiratory circuit connected by a connecting tube; The exhalation circuit includes a front retractable corrugated tube, a non-retractable breathing circuit tube with a bronchoscope handle, and a rear retractable corrugated tube connected in series. The front retractable corrugated tube is connected to a connecting tube. The front retractable corrugated tube is provided with an upward water injection channel and a downward drainage channel. The bronchoscope includes a handle and an insertion part connected to the handle. One end of the insertion part is connected to the handle, and the other end is a curved part. The head end of the curved part is provided with a camera lens, an LED light source, and a working channel. The insertion part is inserted into the front retractable corrugated tube and passes through the connecting tube. The insertion part is configured such that the insertion part extends forward and the bending part extends out of the connecting tube by the contraction of the front retractable corrugated tube. The handle includes a housing, a bronchoscope bending direction control component, and a bronchoscope bending direction control handle. The diameter of the housing is larger than that of the breathing circuit tube and it wraps around the breathing circuit tube. The bronchoscope bending direction control component is located inside the housing. The bronchoscope bending direction control handle is connected to the housing through a handle sleeve and its operating end is exposed.

2. The combined system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connections between the front retractable corrugated pipe and the connecting pipe, between the front retractable corrugated pipe and the breathing circuit pipe, and between the breathing circuit pipe and the tail retractable corrugated pipe are all detachable.

3. The combined system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The detachable connection is made via a rotatable coupling connector.

4. The combined system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing that can be opened and mounted on the box. The bronchoscope bending section direction control handle is connected to the upper housing via a handle sleeve, and its operating end is exposed.

5. The combined system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A head end pipe separator is provided between the front retractable corrugated tube and the breathing circuit tube. The head end pipe separator is provided with a limiting hole, and the insertion part is inserted into the limiting hole.

6. The combined system according to claim 1, characterized in that, An electronic control module is also provided inside the handle housing and outside the breathing circuit tube. The electronic control module includes an electrically connected power / video signal line and a power conversion / video processing chip. The handle is also provided with a negative pressure suction tube, a negative pressure control button connected to the negative pressure suction tube and electrically connected to the electronic control module, and a power / video signal connector with an integrated electrical connection wire. One end of the negative pressure suction tube is connected to the insertion part, and the other end is provided with a negative pressure suction connector. The negative pressure suction tube passes through the inside of the handle part, and the negative pressure suction connector is exposed outside the outer shell of the handle part.

7. The combined system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connection between the insertion part and the negative pressure suction pipe is also provided with a working channel, which is connected to the insertion part and the negative pressure suction pipe respectively through a connecting pipe.

8. The combined system according to claim 6, characterized in that, A tail-end pipe separation connector is provided between the breathing circuit tube and the tail-end retractable corrugated tube. The tail-end pipe separation connector is provided with limiting holes for inserting the negative pressure suction tube and the power / video signal connector, respectively. The negative pressure suction tube and the power / video signal connector are respectively inserted into the limiting holes of the tail-end pipe separation connector and their connectors are exposed.

9. The combined system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The negative pressure control button is connected to the lower outer shell of the handle via a button sleeve, and its operating end is exposed. The working channel is connected to the lower outer shell of the handle via a tube sleeve, and the tube sleeve is provided with a tube cap for sealing the opening of the working channel.

10. The combined system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The breathing circuit tubing is a non-extendable tube; And / or, the front-end retractable corrugated pipe includes two connected retractable corrugated pipe sections.

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