Auxiliary device for operating suction catheter

Abstract

The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for operating a suction catheter, the device comprising: a handle unit (100) including a left handle (120) and a right handle (140) which move in opposite directions to widen or narrow a gap therebetween; and a rotating body (200) which is positioned between the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) to hold and support a suction tube (300), and rotates according to the operation of the left handle (120) and the right handle (140), wherein as the rotating body (200) rotates according to the operation of the handle unit (100), the suction tube (300) can rotate.

Description

Suction catheter operating aids

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction catheter operation assistance device that assists even an unskilled person in safely and easily using a suction catheter constituting a sputum suction device.

[0002] A sputum aspiration device is used to remove phlegm and other foreign matter from a patient's airways. This device involves inserting a tube into the patient's airway and inserting a medical suction catheter through the tube to suction out accumulated saliva, phlegm, and other fluids from the airways.

[0003] Here, an example of a conventional suction catheter that can be commonly seen is illustrated in Fig. 1. The suction catheter (10) is configured to include a suction tube (13) and a connector (15).

[0004] The suction tube (13) is made of a flexible synthetic resin, rubber, or silicone material, and has a suction hole (13a) formed on the side wall near the tip thereof, and the tip has a cross-section (13b) and an opening (13c) formed in a cut-off shape. In addition, the connector (15) is used to connect the suction tube (13) to a suction means (not shown) and to control the suction action with a simple operation. It is formed with a finger contact plate (15b) having a ventilation hole (15a) and a connection part (15c). When a finger is placed on the finger contact plate (15b), the ventilation hole (15a) is blocked and suction is performed, and when the finger is removed, the ventilation hole (15a) opens and suction is stopped. At this time, it is also proposed that the opening (13c) be formed in a blocked structure.

[0005] Meanwhile, during the process of suctioning sputum through the suction hole (13a), the suction pressure can cause the suction hole (13a) to stick to the patient's bronchial wall. This can cause the patient to cough loudly or experience discomfort, and the bronchial mucosa can be torn, resulting in bleeding. To address this issue, the practitioner gently rotates the suction catheter by hand to ensure that the suction pressure is not concentrated on a single point while suctioning the sputum.

[0006] However, the motion of rotating the suction catheter, as described above, relies solely on the operator's senses. Therefore, safely aspirating sputum while ensuring patient satisfaction requires skilled manual movements, acquired over time and experience. If an inexperienced operator, or even careless, rotates the suction catheter excessively or insufficiently, resulting in sputum suction, the patient may experience significant discomfort. Furthermore, this discomfort can often lead to psychological instability in the operator, making it difficult to effectively aspirate sputum. Consequently, conventional sputum suction devices present a significant challenge: patient satisfaction significantly depends on the operator's skill level.

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to propose a suction catheter operating aid that can be easily applied to a suction catheter and thereby smoothly suction sputum regardless of the skill level of the operator, and further eliminates the risk of damage to the bronchial mucosa during the process of suctioning sputum, thereby providing satisfaction to both the operator and the patient.

[0008] The present invention achieves the above object by proposing a suction catheter operating auxiliary device, which includes a handle part including a left handle and a right handle that open or close a gap by moving in opposite directions, and a rotating body positioned between the left handle and the right handle to hold and support a suction tube and rotate according to the movement of the left handle and the right handle, so that the suction tube can rotate by rotating the rotating body according to the movement of the handle part.

[0009] According to the present invention, the suction tube can be rotated stably by manipulating the handle, thereby enabling smooth and safe sputum suction regardless of skill level. Therefore, the discomfort experienced by the patient during the sputum suction process and damage to the bronchial mucosa can be prevented, thereby reducing the risk to the patient. This, in turn, enhances the satisfaction felt by both the practitioner and the patient during the sputum suction process.

[0010] Figure 1 is an example diagram showing a conventional suction catheter.

[0011] Figure 2 is an example of a suction catheter operating auxiliary device according to the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3 is an exemplary diagram showing a state in which the right handle is removed from the suction catheter operating auxiliary device according to the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling relationship between the rotating body and the suction tube according to the present invention.

[0014] Figures 5 and 6 are exemplary diagrams showing the operation of a suction catheter according to the present invention.

[0015] The present invention proposes a suction catheter operating auxiliary device, comprising a handle part including a left handle and a right handle that open or close a gap by moving in opposite directions, and a rotating body positioned between the left handle and the right handle to hold and support a suction tube and rotate according to the movement of the left handle and the right handle, so that the suction tube can rotate by rotating the rotating body according to the movement of the handle part.

[0016] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an exemplary drawing of a suction catheter operating auxiliary device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exemplary drawing showing a state in which the right handle is removed from the suction catheter operating auxiliary device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional drawing showing the coupling relationship between a rotating body and a suction tube according to the present invention.

[0018] As shown, the suction catheter operating auxiliary device according to the present invention is formed by including a handle part (100) and a rotating body (200).

[0019] The handle portion (100) is formed by including a left handle (120) and a right handle (140). The left handle (120) and the right handle (140) are formed in a flat bar shape so that they can be easily held by hand, and are formed so that the gap between them can be widened or narrowed by moving in a direction closer or farther from each other within a certain range.

[0020] The rotating body (200) is positioned between the left handle (120) and the right handle (140), and is formed to be rotatable according to the movements of the left handle (120) and the right handle (140). This rotating body (200) holds and supports the suction tube (300), so when the rotating body (200) rotates according to the movements of the left handle (120) and the right handle (140), the suction tube (300) rotates together with the rotating body (200). This makes it possible to mechanically rotate the suction tube (300).

[0021] The handle portion (100) may be formed in a clamp structure. The left handle (120) and the right handle (140) are connected to each other to form a structure similar to a clamp. This is achieved by connecting one end of the left handle (120) and the right handle (140), i.e., the upper end based on the drawing, to the shaft (102).

[0022] As described above, the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) formed in a forceps structure are supported by a spring (180) and formed so that they can be elastically spaced apart. When the operator presses the handle portion (100) with his / her hand as if holding forceps, the gap between the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) is narrowed, and when the pressing force is removed, the gap is widened by the spring (180).

[0023] The spring (180) may be any structure that allows the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) to be elastically opened. A representative example is illustrated in the drawing, in which two legs are formed to support the inside of the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) respectively and are formed to span the shaft (102).

[0024] Meanwhile, the configuration in which the rotating body (200) rotates according to the operation of the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) can be achieved by a rack and pinion structure. Rack gears (122) (142) are formed on the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) to function as racks, and gear teeth (240) that mesh with both rack gears (122) (142) are formed on the rotating body (200) to function as pinions, thereby forming a combined structure of a rack and pinion.

[0025] The rack gears (122)(142) are formed to face each other near the lower end of the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) with the rotating body (200) therebetween. With reference to the drawing, the rack gear (122) is formed to protrude to the right from one edge of the left handle (120) toward the right handle (140), and the rack gear (142) is formed to protrude to the left in the direction of the left handle (120) toward the left. According to this configuration, the rack gears (122)(142) are naturally formed to face each other with a certain gap therebetween so that the rotating body (200) can be placed therebetween. With reference to the drawing, the rack gears (122)(142) are formed to face each other with a certain gap therebetween in the front-back direction of the handle portion (100).

[0026] The rotating body (200) that meshes with the rack gear (122) (142) formed as described above has a cylindrical shape and a structure in which gear teeth (240) are formed on the outer surface, thereby serving as a pinion. In this configuration, a tube hole (220) that penetrates the inside of the rotating body (200) in the vertical direction is formed, and a suction tube (300) is fixed by penetrating through the tube hole (220). At this time, the suction tube (300) must be fixedly connected to the rotating body (200), and this can be achieved by forming the tube hole (220) so that the suction tube (300) can be connected in a forced fit structure. For example, this can be a structure in which a protrusion is formed on the wall surface of the tube hole (220).

[0027] Here, the rack gear (122) (142) is formed to have the same curvature as the imaginary circumference centered on the axis (102). And the rotating body (200) has a shape in which the diameter linearly decreases from the bottom to the top. This is because the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) move like a pendulum around the axis (102), and is a configuration adopted to enable operation in a state in which the meshing between the rack gear (122) (142) and the gear teeth (240) formed on the rotating body (200) is precisely achieved.

[0028] The rack gear (122)(142) may have protrusions (124) formed at the top and bottom along the points where it engages with the rotating body (200). The protrusions (124) formed in this way serve to limit the movement in the vertical direction so that the gear teeth (240) do not come off from the rack gear (122)(142). Accordingly, the rotating body (200) can stably maintain a state of being engaged with the rack gear (122)(142).

[0029] And, at the ends of the rack gears (122)(142), limiting protrusions (128)(148) may be formed facing each other. The limiting protrusions (128)(148) are formed to protrude at a certain height, and serve to confine the rotating body (200) between the rack gears (122)(142). Accordingly, the angle at which the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) are opened is naturally limited. When the gap between the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) is opened and the limiting protrusions (128)(148) come into contact with the rotating body (200)(), the gap cannot be opened any further, thereby limiting the angle at which the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) are opened.

[0030] Hereinafter, the operation of rotating the suction tube (300) as an auxiliary device for operating a suction catheter according to the present invention will be described.

[0031] Figures 5 and 6 are exemplary diagrams showing the operation of a suction catheter according to the present invention.

[0032] The suction catheter according to the present invention is used by being mounted on a suction tube (300) when necessary. The suction tube (300) penetrates the rotating body (200) and is tightly coupled thereto, and is coupled in a manner that it does not separate from the rotating body (200) unless sufficient external force is applied.

[0033] In the above state, the operator holds the handle (100) with his hand and applies force to the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) as if he were using forceps, and the gap between the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) narrows, causing the rack gear (122) (142) to advance. As a result, the rotating body (200) engaged with the rack gear (122) (142) rotates.

[0034] As described above, when the rotating body (200) rotates, the suction tube (300) coupled to the rotating body (200) also rotates. The suction tube (300) rotates due to the mechanical operation of the handle (100).

[0035] Afterwards, by removing the pressing force while spreading the fingers that were holding the left handle (120) and the right handle (140), the gap between the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) widens. In the process, the rotating body (200) rotates in the opposite direction from before, and naturally, the suction tube (300) also rotates in the opposite direction from before.

[0036] The operator continuously rotates the suction tube (300) by repeatedly pressing or opening the handle (100) as described above. As a result, the position of the suction hole formed at the end of the suction tube (300) does not remain at one point but continuously changes, thereby enabling effective suction of sputum that is clumped or stuck in the bronchial tube.

[0037]

[0038] [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 100: handle, 102: shaft,

[0040] 120: Left-hand drive, 122: Rack gear,

[0041] 124: Chin, 128: Limit Chin,

[0042] 140: Right-hand drive, 142: Rack gear,

[0043] 148: limit jaw, 180: spring,

[0044] 200: Rotating part, 220: Tube hole,

[0045] 240: Gear Mountain,

[0046] 300: Suction tube.

Claims

1. A handle part (100) including a left handle (120) and a right handle (140) that open or close the gap by moving in opposite directions; A rotating body (200) positioned between the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) to hold and support the suction tube (300), and to rotate according to the movements of the left handle (120) and the right handle (140); A suction catheter operating auxiliary device that enables the suction tube (300) to rotate by rotating the rotating body (200) according to the operation of the handle part (100).

2. In paragraph 1, The above left handle (120) and right handle (140) are connected by an axis to form a clamp structure. A suction catheter operating auxiliary device in which the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) are supported by a spring (180) so that the gap can be elastically widened.

3. In paragraph 1, Rack gears (122) (142) are formed on the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) facing each other with the rotating body (200) in between, and the rotating body (200) has a cylindrical shape, and the suction tube (300) is fixed by penetrating through the inside, while a gear mountain (240) is formed on the outer surface. A suction catheter operating auxiliary device in which the gear teeth (240) formed on the above-mentioned rotating body (200) are engaged with the above-mentioned rack gear (122) (142) to widen or narrow the gap between the left handle (120) and the right handle (140), thereby causing the above-mentioned rotating body (200) to rotate.

4. In paragraph 3, A suction catheter operating auxiliary device in which limiting jaws (128) (148) are formed at the ends of the rack gears (122) (142) in a direction facing each other to limit the angle at which the left handle (120) and the right handle (140) are opened.

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