Retrograde tracheal intubation device comprising protective air bag

Abstract

The invention discloses a retrograde tracheal intubation device comprising a protective air bag, and belongs to the technical field of medical instruments. The device comprises a tracheal catheter body, a catheter core, a blocking air bag and a second inflation pipeline, a head end opening is formed in the far end of the tracheal catheter body, the catheter core comprises a head protection air bag, a first inflation pipeline and a first inflation valve, and the head protection air bag expands outwards after being inflated to form a conical structure. A protection space is formed to wrap the head end and the edge of the catheter. When the retrograde intubation is propelled along the guide wire, the inflated head protection air bag can buffer contact, tissue damage is avoided, and the curved surface structure of the head protection air bag is beneficial to guiding the catheter to pass through the glottis. Optionally, an annular guide air bag can be arranged in the far end of the catheter, and the catheter core is fixed after the annular guide air bag is inflated. By means of the double protection and guiding effects of the air bag, the tissue damage risk and operation blocking in difficult airway intubation are remarkably reduced, and the intubation success rate and safety are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical device technology, specifically relating to a retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective cuff for establishing an artificial airway for difficult airways in clinical anesthesia, emergency resuscitation and intensive care. Background Technology

[0002] Endotracheal intubation is a core life support technique for maintaining airway patency in patients with respiratory failure, under general anesthesia, and undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, traditional intubation techniques face significant challenges when dealing with difficult airways (such as high glottis, anatomical abnormalities of the pharynx and larynx, limited neck movement, or maxillofacial trauma). Existing techniques mainly suffer from two prominent problems: First, mechanical airway injury. The distal end of a standard endotracheal tube is typically made of rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material with an oblique incision. When the glottis is not adequately exposed, this rigid, sharp edge can easily scratch the posterior pharyngeal wall, impinge on the arytenoid cartilage, or directly damage the vocal cords, leading to mucosal bleeding, edema, and even postoperative complications such as hoarseness and laryngeal edema. Second, the "step" blockage during retrograde intubation. For extremely difficult airways, retrograde endotracheal intubation is an important rescue technique. The procedure typically involves inserting a thin guidewire (usually less than 1 mm in diameter) through cricothyroid membrane puncture. The guidewire is then brought out retrogradely through the larynx and exited from the oral cavity. The endotracheal tube (usually 6.0-8.5 mm in inner diameter) is then advanced into the trachea along this guidewire. However, the significant diameter difference between the tube's large inner diameter and the thin guidewire creates a "rigid step." When the tube tip slides along the guidewire to the glottis, this step is easily caught by the vocal cords or surrounding tissues, causing jamming and leading to failed intubation. This necessitates repeated attempts, delaying rescue and increasing the risk of injury.

[0003] While some retrograde intubation kits have been developed that integrate surgical tools, such as CN206138545U and CN214181389U, they primarily address equipment preparation and do not tackle the core challenges of injury and obstruction caused by the structure of the catheter itself. Therefore, there is an urgent clinical need for an endotracheal intubation device that can actively adapt to different intubation modes and provides both tissue protection and smooth guidance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and provide an innovative and functionally integrated endotracheal intubation device. Its core objective is to utilize an independent endotracheal tube stylet and its included protective cuff structure to act as a flexible protective shield to prevent tissue damage during retrograde intubation in difficult airways, while simultaneously dynamically filling gaps to eliminate obstruction, thereby improving the safety and success rate of difficult airway management in one comprehensive solution.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag, comprising an endotracheal tube body, a tube core, a blocking airbag, and a second inflation tubing;

[0006] The endotracheal tube body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a ventilation lumen connecting the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the distal end is provided with a head opening.

[0007] The catheter core is a hollow tubular structure with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the endotracheal tube body, and is set independently from the endotracheal tube body. The guide wire can pass through the hollow part of the catheter core.

[0008] The catheter core includes a head protection airbag, a first inflation line, and a first inflation valve. One end of the first inflation line is connected to the inside of the head protection airbag, and the other end is connected to the first inflation valve. The head protection airbag is located on the outside of one end of the catheter core, and the first inflation line is integrally formed with the catheter core.

[0009] The occlusion airbag is disposed at the distal end of the tracheal tube body, and the interior of the occlusion airbag is connected to the second inflation tube.

[0010] In use, the guidewire passes through the endotracheal tube core, which in turn passes through the endotracheal tube body. Guided by the guidewire, the endotracheal tube core and endotracheal tube body enter the pharynx through the nasal cavity or oral cavity. The first inflation valve and the first inflation line are then used to inflate the head protection cuff. After the head protection cuff is fully inflated, the endotracheal tube body and the endotracheal tube core are continued to be advanced, allowing the endotracheal tube to smoothly pass through the glottis and enter the airway.

[0011] The end of the endotracheal tube stylet away from the head protection airbag has a marking structure. This marking structure is a scale line along the outer circumference of the stylet, and the distance between the marking structure and the end of the stylet on the head protection airbag side is greater than the length of the endotracheal tube body. This marking structure helps operators better determine the timing of inflating the head protection airbag; inflation can begin when the marking structure is aligned with the proximal end of the endotracheal tube body.

[0012] The head protection airbag is made of a highly elastic, biocompatible flexible film material, and its hardness is lower than that of the endotracheal tube body.

[0013] The head protection airbag has a conical structure after inflation. The conical structure includes a head and a tail. The diameter gradually increases from the head to the tail, and the head is close to one end of the catheter core.

[0014] A protective space is formed between the tail and the outer wall of the catheter core, the protective space being used to accommodate the distal end.

[0015] The head protection airbag has a conical structure after inflation, which allows it to pass through the glottis into the airway more effectively, while the tail end can also transition effectively with the distal end of the endotracheal tube.

[0016] The distal end of the endotracheal tube body has a flat opening or a slightly oblique opening with an angle of less than 30 degrees, and at least one Murphy hole is provided on the distal side wall of the endotracheal tube body.

[0017] It also includes a suffocating airbag, which is fitted between the proximal and distal ends of the tracheal tube body and connected to a second inflation valve located at the proximal end via a separate second inflation line.

[0018] It also includes an annular guiding airbag, which is fixedly disposed inside the distal end of the endotracheal tube body.

[0019] It also includes a third inflation line, which is arranged along the wall of the tracheal tube body, with one end connected to the interior of the annular guide airbag and the other end extending to the proximal end and connected to a third inflation valve.

[0020] After the head protection airbag is inflated, the annular guide airbag can be inflated through the third inflation valve and the third inflation tubing, and the catheter core can be fixed by the annular guide airbag.

[0021] Both the second and third inflation lines are integrated inside the wall of the endotracheal tube body.

[0022] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: By using a separate catheter stylet, it avoids the common problem of hard and sharp catheter tips that can easily "push" against the cricoid cartilage around the glottis, vocal cords, or tracheal wall during blind insertion or when visibility is poor, leading to mucosal edema, bleeding, and even vocal cord damage. This invention, by using an independent catheter stylet and a head protection cuff at one end of the stylet, uses the inflated head protection cuff as a buffer interface for the distal end of the endotracheal tube, transforming hard impacts into soft contact and effectively reducing the risk of bleeding and edema during intubation. Furthermore, the head protection cuff has a conical structure, with a small diameter at the head that is closer to the size of the glottis, making it easier for the head to pass through the glottis. The gradual change in diameter between the head and tail allows the head protection cuff to smoothly pass through the glottis, and ultimately, the distal end of the endotracheal tube also follows the head protection cuff through the glottis into the airway.

[0023] Meanwhile, a protective space is formed between the head protection cuff and the outer wall of the endotracheal tube. With this design, regardless of whether the distal end of the endotracheal tube body has a flat opening or a slightly oblique opening with an angle of less than 30 degrees, the head protection cuff can wrap around it, thus creating a smooth transition between the head protection cuff and the endotracheal tube body. This avoids the formation of a "step" between the head protection cuff and the endotracheal tube body, which would be detrimental to the endotracheal tube body entering the airway through the glottis.

[0024] In addition to providing an independent catheter core, the present invention also provides an annular guiding airbag on the inner side of the distal end of the endotracheal tube body. The annular guiding airbag fills the gap between the catheter core and the inner wall of the endotracheal tube body, so that the position of the catheter core is relatively fixed, avoiding the change in the position of the head protection airbag due to the movement of the catheter core inside the endotracheal tube, which is not conducive to the passage of the endotracheal tube body through the glottis.

[0025] Finally, after the occlusion cuff of the endotracheal tube body enters the airway, the gas in the head protection cuff is released through the first inflation valve and the first inflation line, causing the head protection cuff to contract. The tube core can then be withdrawn from the airway along with the guidewire, and the endotracheal tube body can then be connected to the ventilator normally. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the catheter core of the head protection airbag of the present invention when it is not inflated;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the catheter core during the inflation of the head protection airbag of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the distal end of the endotracheal tube body of the present invention entering the protective space;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the retrograde endotracheal intubation device including an annular guiding airbag of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a standard retrograde endotracheal tube intubation.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the retrograde endotracheal intubation device of the present invention.

[0034] Reference numerals: 1. Endotracheal tube body; 2. Endotracheal tube stylet; 3. Occlusion cuff; 4. Second inflation line; 5. Proximal end; 6. Distal end; 7. Head protection cuff; 8. First inflation line; 9. First inflation valve; 10. Guide wire; 11. Identification structure; 12. Second inflation valve; 13. Conical structure; 14. Head; 15. Tail end; 16. Protective space; 17. Murphy's aperture; 18. Annular guide cuff; 19. Third inflation line; 20. Third inflation valve; 21. Airway; 22. Esophagus; 23. Epiglottis; 24. Nasal cavity; 25. Oral cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0035] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides further details:

[0037] Example 1

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, a retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag includes an endotracheal tube body 1, a tube core 2, an occlusion airbag 3, and a second inflation line 4.

[0039] The endotracheal tube body 1 includes a proximal end 5, a distal end 6, and a ventilation lumen that runs through the proximal end 5 and the distal end 6. The distal end 6 is provided with a head opening.

[0040] The catheter core 2 is a hollow tubular structure with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the endotracheal tube body 1, and is set independently from the endotracheal tube body 1. The guide wire 10 can pass through the hollow part of the catheter core 2.

[0041] The catheter core 2 includes a head protection airbag 7, a first inflation line 8, and a first inflation valve 9. One end of the first inflation line 8 is connected to the inside of the head protection airbag 7, and the other end is connected to the first inflation valve 9. The head protection airbag 7 is located on the outside of one end of the catheter core 2, and the first inflation line 8 is integrally formed with the catheter core 2.

[0042] The occlusion airbag 3 is located at the distal end 6 of the endotracheal tube body 1, and the interior of the occlusion airbag 3 is connected to the second inflation tube 4.

[0043] The end of the endotracheal tube 2 away from the head protection airbag 7 is provided with a marking structure 11. The marking structure 11 is a scale line set along the outer periphery of the endotracheal tube 2. The distance between the marking structure 11 and the end of the head protection airbag 7 of the endotracheal tube 2 is greater than the length of the endotracheal tube body 1.

[0044] like Figure 2-3 As shown, the head protection airbag 7 expands outwards towards the outer side of the duct core 2 after inflation, forming a conical structure.

[0045] The head protection airbag 7 is made of a highly elastic, biocompatible flexible film material, and its hardness is lower than that of the endotracheal tube body 1.

[0046] The head protection airbag 7, after inflation, is a conical structure 13, which includes a head 14 and a tail 15. The diameter gradually increases from the head 14 to the tail 15, and the head 14 is close to one end of the catheter core 2.

[0047] A protective space 16 is formed between the tail 15 and the outer wall of the catheter core 2, which is used to accommodate the distal end 6.

[0048] The distal end 6 of the endotracheal tube body 1 has a flat opening or a slightly oblique opening with an angle of less than 30 degrees. The endotracheal tube body 1 has at least one Murphy hole 17 on the side wall of the distal end 6.

[0049] It also includes a suffocating airbag, which is fitted between the proximal end 5 and the distal end 6 of the tracheal tube body and is connected to the second inflation valve 12 located at the proximal end through an independent second inflation line.

[0050] like Figure 4-8 As shown, the specific operation flow of this embodiment is as follows:

[0051] S1. Perform cricothyroid membrane puncture on the patient and insert guide wire 10. Guide wire 10 passes through the patient's nasal cavity 24 or oral cavity 25.

[0052] S2. The endotracheal tube body 1 is guided and advanced from the patient's nasal cavity 24 or oral cavity 25 by the guide wire 10.

[0053] S3. The catheter core 2 is guided and pushed from the endotracheal tube body 1 by the guide wire 10. When the identification structure 11 is aligned with the proximal end 5 of the endotracheal tube body 1, the head protection airbag 7 is inflated through the first inflation line 8 and the first inflation valve 9.

[0054] S4. After inflation is complete, continue to advance the endotracheal tube body 1. After the distal end 6 enters the protective space 16, continue to advance the endotracheal tube body 1 until the distal end 6 successfully passes through the glottis and enters the airway 21.

[0055] S5. The distal end 6 of the endotracheal tube body 1 passes through the glottis and continues to be advanced to the occlusion airbag 3 and enters the airway 21. The occlusion airbag 3 can then be inflated through the second inflation line 4 and the second inflation valve 12.

[0056] S6. After inflation is complete, the gas in the head protection airbag 7 is released through the first inflation line 8 and the first inflation valve 9, the catheter core 2 and guide wire 10 are removed, and the ventilator is connected.

[0057] Example 2

[0058] like Figure 4-7 As shown, based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment also includes an annular guide airbag 18, which is fixedly disposed inside the distal end 6 of the endotracheal tube body 1.

[0059] It also includes a third inflation line 19, which is arranged along the wall of the tracheal tube body 1. One end of the third inflation line 19 is connected to the interior of the annular guide air bag 18, and the other end extends to the proximal end 4 and is connected to a third inflation valve 20.

[0060] After the head protection airbag 7 is inflated, the annular guide airbag 18 can be inflated through the third inflation valve 20 and the third inflation line 19, and the catheter core 2 can be fixed through the annular guide airbag 18.

[0061] The second inflation line 4 and the third inflation line 19 are both integrated inside the wall of the endotracheal tube body 1.

[0062] like Figure 4-8 As shown, the specific operation method of this embodiment is as follows:

[0063] S1. Perform cricothyroid membrane puncture on the patient and insert guide wire 10. Guide wire 10 passes through the patient's nasal cavity 24 or oral cavity 25.

[0064] S2. The endotracheal tube body 1 is guided and advanced from the patient's nasal cavity 24 or oral cavity 25 by the guide wire 10.

[0065] S3. The catheter core 2 is guided and pushed from the endotracheal tube body 1 by the guide wire 10. When the identification structure 11 is aligned with the proximal end 5 of the endotracheal tube body 1, the head protection airbag 7 is inflated through the first inflation line 8 and the first inflation valve 9.

[0066] S4. After the head protection airbag 7 is inflated, continue to advance the endotracheal tube body 1 until the distal end 6 enters the protection space 16.

[0067] S5. After the distal end 6 enters the protection space 16, it inflates the annular guide air bag 18 through the third inflation valve 20, causing the annular guide air bag 18 to expand and wrap the catheter core 2 in the annular guide air bag 18. The annular guide air bag 18 fills the gap between the guide wire 10 and the inner wall of the endotracheal tube body 1, fixing the position of the catheter core 2.

[0068] S6. Continue to advance the endotracheal tube body 1 until the distal end 6 successfully passes through the glottis and enters the airway 21;

[0069] S7. The distal end 6 of the endotracheal tube body 1 passes through the glottis and continues to be advanced to the occlusion airbag 3 and enters the airway 21. The occlusion airbag 3 can then be inflated through the second inflation line 4 and the second inflation valve 12.

[0070] S8. After inflation is complete, the gas in the head protection airbag 7 is released through the first inflation line 8 and the first inflation valve 9, and the gas in the annular guide airbag 18 is released through the third inflation line 19 and the third inflation valve 20. The catheter core 2 and guide wire 10 are then removed and connected to the ventilator.

[0071] It should be noted that in this invention, both the endotracheal tube stylet 2 and the endotracheal tube body 1 are inserted into the patient's nasal cavity 24 or oral cavity 25 under the traction of the guide wire 10. Since the diameter of the guide wire 10 is closer to that of the endotracheal tube stylet 2, the traction effect of the guide wire 10 is better. Therefore, in actual application, the endotracheal tube stylet 2 is less likely to be obstructed by the epiglottis 23 or enter the esophagus 22. Moreover, a head protection balloon 7 is provided at one end of the endotracheal tube stylet 2. The head protection balloon 7 can be inflated before passing the epiglottis 23, thereby effectively avoiding the influence of the epiglottis 23 or other structures on the distal end 6 of the endotracheal tube body 1.

[0072] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag, characterized in that, It includes the endotracheal tube body, the tube core, the occlusion cuff, and the second inflation tubing; The endotracheal tube body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a ventilation lumen connecting the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the distal end is provided with a head opening. The catheter core is a hollow tubular structure with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the endotracheal tube body, and is set independently from the endotracheal tube body. The guide wire can pass through the hollow part of the catheter core. The catheter core includes a head protection airbag, a first inflation line, and a first inflation valve. One end of the first inflation line is connected to the inside of the head protection airbag, and the other end is connected to the first inflation valve. The head protection airbag is located on the outside of one end of the catheter core, and the first inflation line is integrally formed with the catheter core. The occlusion airbag is disposed at the distal end of the tracheal tube body, and the interior of the occlusion airbag is connected to the second inflation tube.

2. The retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that, The catheter core has a marking structure at the end away from the head protection airbag. The marking structure is a scale line set along the outer periphery of the catheter core. The distance between the marking structure and the end of the catheter core on the head protection airbag side is greater than the length of the endotracheal tube body.

3. The retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to claim 2, characterized in that, The head protection airbag is made of a highly elastic, biocompatible flexible film material, and its hardness is lower than that of the endotracheal tube body.

4. The retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to claim 3, characterized in that, The head protection airbag has a conical structure after inflation. The conical structure includes a head and a tail. The diameter gradually increases from the head to the tail, and the head is close to one end of the catheter core.

5. The retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to claim 4, characterized in that, A protective space is formed between the tail and the outer wall of the catheter core, the protective space being used to accommodate the distal end.

6. The retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distal end of the endotracheal tube body has a flat opening or a slightly oblique opening with an angle of less than 30 degrees, and at least one Murphy hole is provided on the distal side wall of the endotracheal tube body.

7. The retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a suffocating airbag, which is fitted between the proximal and distal ends of the tracheal tube body and connected to a second inflation valve located at the proximal end via a separate second inflation line.

8. The retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an annular guiding airbag, which is fixedly disposed inside the distal end of the endotracheal tube body.

9. The retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a third inflation line, which is arranged along the wall of the tracheal tube body, with one end connected to the interior of the annular guide airbag and the other end extending to the proximal end and connected to a third inflation valve.

10. The retrograde endotracheal intubation device including a protective airbag according to claim 9, characterized in that, Both the second and third inflation lines are integrated inside the wall of the endotracheal tube body.

Images