Laryngeal mask

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laryngeal mask that includes a mini viewing camera, wherein the mini camera passes through a dedicated tube, and wherein said tube is arranged beside the tube through which oxygen travels and through which various medical devices, such as the endotracheal tube, pass. The laryngeal mask includes a hanging or floating bar, crosspiece or longitudinal member which is permanently fixed at both ends and located in front of the camera tube, thereby preventing the pharyngeal and laryngeal tissues from falling in front of the tube through which the mini camera passes and obstructing the vision of same.

Description

[0001] Laryngeal mask

[0002] Object of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to medical laryngeal masks for patient ventilation, incorporating a camera or mini-camera to allow viewing of images of the patient's trachea while intubated. The mask of the present invention comprises a viewing chamber connected to the exterior by its own conduit, independent and substantially parallel to the oxygenation conduit through which oxygen passes to the patient's lungs.

[0004] Background of the invention and technical problem to be solved

[0005] In both hospital and outpatient settings, providing adequate ventilation is the first step in starting treatment for any patient, regardless of their condition. When a patient is unconscious due to anesthesia or unconscious due to an accident or illness, ventilation will be the most important step in keeping the patient alive.

[0006] Currently, there are only two ways to ventilate a patient who is unconscious due to anesthesia or unconscious due to an accident or illness: in the first case, an endotracheal tube is inserted into the patient's trachea, and in the second case, a laryngeal mask is inserted into the patient's larynx.

[0007] One problem with the use of laryngeal masks incorporating a camera or mini-camera is that, once inside the larynx, tissue can fall in front of the mini-camera, obstructing its view.

[0008] To solve this problem, the inventors have developed a laryngeal mask that incorporates a bar, crossbar or spar inside, which bar is permanently fixed at both ends to the inside of the dome of the mask, and which is generally located in front of the mini-camera, so that it prevents the tissues of the pharynx and larynx from falling in front of the mini-camera and obstructing its view.

[0009] More particularly, the inventors have developed a laryngeal mask (1) comprising a dome (9) terminated in a ring (2) which may or may not be unreliable, in which case it is usually made of gel (2), which mask is configured to be placed on the larynx of a patient, characterized in that said dome (9) comprises inside a viewing chamber (5) for viewing the inside of the larynx of the patient, and a tissue retention device generally located in front of the chamber (5), which device comprises either a floating or hanging bar (3) or a wall (4), where the bar (3) or the wall (4) are permanently fixed at both ends, and partially or totally cross the inner opening of the dome (9) preferably along its longitudinal axis or parallel to it,although the invention could also be applicable in alternative configurations in which the bar passes through the dome along its transverse axis or even obliquely, modifying in such cases the position of the mini-camera accordingly, and in which the tissue retention device is intended to prevent the tissues from falling in front of the camera and therefore the obstruction of the camera's view by tissues or other objects.

[0010] In the state of the art we can find, for example, patent document US2005 / 0051 1751 in the name of Archibald IJ Brain. The laryngeal masks described in this document contain an element, called "epiglottis elevation bar (250)" with certain parallels to that of the mask of the present invention, but which is actually very different since, being a mobile element and anchored only at one end, the other being mobile, it is intended for a completely different purpose, such as producing an elevation of the epiglottis when introducing an endotracheal tube. For this purpose, the bar described in this document is an articulated bar, anchored only at one of its ends, which tilts at its distal end when pushed by the endotracheal tube upon entry, moving from a resting position to a raised position, which causes the elevation of the epiglottis, something that is necessary to be able to intubate the patient.In contrast, in the present invention, the bar is fixed, as it is permanently and permanently attached at both ends to various elements inside the dome of the laryngeal mask. Furthermore, the devices disclosed in this prior art document do not have any cameras, so they cannot solve the problem posed here of avoiding obstruction of the view of the mini-cameras used in the laryngeal masks described here.

[0011] The problem of obstruction of the mini-camera view has been solved by the inventors of the present invention by means of a laryngeal mask provided with a tissue-retaining bar generally located in front of the mini-camera, and permanently fixed at both ends to various elements within the dome of a laryngeal mask. Preferably, this tissue-retaining bar is located on the longitudinal axis of the laryngeal mask or in a lateral position with respect to it, so that it coincides with the position of the mini-camera.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, said bar is a floating or hanging bar, that is, it is a floating bar, crossbar or beam that, therefore, has a gap on its lower side, through which objects such as tissues or the endotracheal tube inserted into the patient can pass. Said objects, for example the endotracheal tube, when passing under the bar do not modify either the position or the shape of said tissue retention bar since it is fixed, contrary to what is disclosed in the masks described in the prior art cited above in patent document US2005 / 0051175A1 in the name of Archibald IJ Brain.

[0013] Definitions

[0014] By "camera" or "mini-camera" (5) is meant, in the present specification, any photo or video camera that allows the visualization of the inside of the patient's larynx when the laryngeal mask is in the larynx, and whose size or shape is not limited except by the size and shape of the duct (5b) of the camera, which is where the camera (5) must pass when introduced through said duct (5b) to its final position at the end thereof, and therefore at the bottom of the dome.

[0015] “Hanging bar” (3) is understood in this specification as a bar, crossbar or beam that is arranged in a floating or hanging manner between its ends and is fixedly anchored to them, so that there is a gap below said bar.

[0016] By “chamber or mini-chamber duct” (5b) is meant, in this specification, a duct, perforation or hole made on the body (10) of the mask, and which is intended for the camera or mini-chamber (5), connected to its connection cable (5a), to be inserted therethrough, such that, in use, the camera or mini-chamber (5) will be located at the end of said chamber duct (5b).

[0017] “Oxygenation duct” (6) is understood, in this specification, as a duct, perforation or hole made on the body (10) of the mask, intended to introduce oxygen or air into the lungs of the patient while he is intubated, as well as the medical materials that need to be introduced during the operation by the practicing physician.

[0018] By “mask body” (10) is meant a solid piece, preferably made of plastic-type material, on which at least the chamber (5b) and oxygenation (6) ducts are made.

[0019] Description of the invention In order to solve the aforementioned drawbacks, the present invention relates to a laryngeal mask incorporating a viewing chamber, which laryngeal mask is improved with respect to conventional laryngeal masks.

[0020] The laryngeal mask (1) object of the present invention comprises a dome (9) configured to be placed in the larynx of a patient, characterized in that said dome (9) comprises inside a viewing chamber or mini-camera (5) for viewing the inside of the larynx of the patient, and a tissue retention device, generally located in front of the camera (5), intended to prevent obstruction of the camera's view by tissues or other objects, device comprising either a floating bar (3) or a wall (4), where the bar (3) or the wall (4) partially or totally crosses the interior opening of the dome (9) along its longitudinal axis or parallel to it, and where the bar (3) or wall (4) are permanently fixed at its two ends.

[0021] In more detail, the mask has a vision chamber or mini-camera (5) that has its own conduit (5b) through which the aforementioned camera (5) is introduced together with its connection cable (5a) such that, in use, the camera (5) is located at the end of the aforementioned conduit (5b). The conduit (5b) of the chamber is located inside the body (10), substantially parallel to the oxygenation conduit (6) through which the oxygen and medical materials to be introduced run, such as the endotracheal tube. This mask is provided with a floating or hanging bar (3), preferably in a lateral position opposite or in front of the mini-camera, that is, not longitudinally centered.This bar is permanently fixed at both ends to different elements inside the dome (9), so it is not movable or articulated, and has a gap on its lower side so that medical objects such as the endotracheal tube can pass through, and where said medical objects, when passing under the bar (3), do not modify its shape or its position.

[0022] In one embodiment, the floating bar (3) is provided with a gap (3d) on its lower side and is permanently attached at its two ends (3a, 3b) to opposite points on the inside of the dome (9), so that the bar (3) completely passes through the inner opening of the dome (9).

[0023] In another embodiment, the floating bar (3) is not attached at its two ends to the inside of the dome, but is fixedly attached at its proximal end (3a) to the inside of the dome (9), and at its distal end (3b) to a pusher (3c) which is a fixed piece whose function is to change the direction of the tip of the endotracheal tube and direct it towards the center of the trachea, such that the bar (3) partially passes through the inner opening of the dome (9). In this way, the bar (3) of the laryngeal mask with mini-chamber (5) object of the present invention manages to prevent the tissues of the larynx from falling in front of the mini-chamber duct and obstructing the view of the same. The tissues that the retaining bar prevents from falling into the lateral duct can be the tongue, uvula, epiglottis or any tissue of the larynx.It should be noted that the oxygenation duct (6) is generally parallel to the duct (5b) of the minichamber and both ducts preferably do not cross or mix, since they are independent and have different functions. The junction of the walls of said two tubes, one lateral to the other, will preferably coincide with the longitudinal center line of the body (10) of the laryngeal mask.

[0024] In another variant of the present invention, the bar (3), spar or crossbar, is replaced by a wall (4), fixed in the same places as the bar, and which extends to the bottom (4e) of the dome of the laryngeal mask, so that in this variant there is no gap explained in the previous embodiments. In this embodiment nothing could pass under the tissue retention device since it is not a floating or hanging bar but a solid wall, but it would still achieve its objective of preventing the view of the minicamera from being covered or obstructed.

[0025] In an embodiment of this second variant of the invention, the wall (4) extends to the bottom (4e) of the dome (9) and is permanently attached by its two ends (4a, 4b) to opposite points of the interior of the dome (9), so that the wall (4) completely crosses the interior opening of the dome (9).

[0026] In another additional embodiment of this second variant of the invention, the wall (4) extends to the bottom (4e) of the dome and is permanently attached by its proximal end (4a) to the interior of the dome (9), and by its distal end (4b) to a pusher (3c) which is a fixed piece whose function is to change the direction of the tip of the endotracheal tube and direct it towards the center of the trachea, so that the wall (4) partially crosses the interior opening of the dome (9).

[0027] In additional embodiments of the invention that apply to both variants thereof, the laryngeal mask (1) is characterized in that the chamber (5) is displaced parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dome (9), and the tissue retention device (3, 4) is also displaced parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dome (9) in the same direction as the chamber (5), such that said tissue retention device (3, 4) is located in front of the chamber (5).

[0028] In another additional embodiment that also applies to both aspects of the invention, the laryngeal mask (1) is characterized in that the chamber (5) is located on the longitudinal axis of the dome (9), and the tissue retention device (3, 4) is also located on the longitudinal axis of the dome (9), such that said tissue retention device (3, 4) is located in front of the chamber (5).

[0029] Brief description of the figures

[0030] As part of the explanation of at least one embodiment of the invention, the following figures are included.

[0031] Figure 1: Shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the laryngeal mask object of the present invention, where the bar, spar or crossbar (3) for retaining tissues object of the present invention can be seen. The bar is fixedly and permanently attached at its two ends (3a) and (3b), the end (3a) being anchored to the proximal part of the dome of the laryngeal mask on the inside, and the other end (3b), which is the distal end of the bar, being anchored to a pusher (3c) provided inside the laryngeal mask. As indicated, the tissue retention bar (3) is not mobile at any time or situation, and is preferably located in a lateral position not centered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the laryngeal mask.

[0032] Figure 2: Shows a schematic perspective view of the interior of the dome of the laryngeal mask of Figure 1, where a first embodiment of the bar (3) can be seen, where it can be seen that it is a floating or hanging bar that is therefore provided with a gap (3d) below it to allow the passage of medical material through said gap. This medical material can thus pass freely below the fixed bar without any obstacle and without altering the shape or position of the bar, crossbar or spar.

[0033] As indicated, the function of the bar is to prevent the tissues of the larynx from falling onto the mini-chamber duct, which is preferably in a lateral position, thus avoiding obstruction of its vision. Among the tissues of the larynx and pharynx that may fall in front of the mini-chamber are, for example, the tongue, the uvula, the epiglottis, etc. In this first embodiment shown in this figure, the permanent fixed connection points of the bar can be seen, the first of them (3a) being a fixing point in its proximal part with the edge of the dome of the laryngeal mask, and the distal end (3b) being the point where the bar connects with a pusher (3c) located inside the dome of the laryngeal mask.

[0034] Figure 3: Shows a schematic view of a detail of the interior of the dome of the laryngeal mask in Figure 2, where the permanent fixing points of the bar seen in Figure 2 can be seen. Figure 4: Shows a schematic perspective view of the interior of the dome of a second embodiment of the laryngeal mask, where another possible embodiment of the bar device can be seen, in which all the characteristics are the same as the first embodiment, with the difference that the bar has been replaced by a wall (4). In this way, the bar goes from being a hanging bar to a solid wall, which extends to the lower part (4e) of the dome.

[0035] Figure 5: Shows a schematic view of a detail of the interior of the dome of the laryngeal mask in Figure 4, in which it can be seen that the wall (4) extends to the lower part (4e) of the dome.

[0036] Figure 6: Shows a detailed schematic view of the support of the tissues of the larynx and pharynx, including for example the epiglottis, on the upper surface of the bar, crossbar or crossbar, preventing them from falling in front of the lateralized duct of the mini-camera, and avoiding losing vision, showing the bar (3) and the gap (3d) that remains below it.

[0037] Figure 7: Shows a detailed view of the positioning of the laryngeal mask in a patient's larynx, showing the dome (9) and the unreliable or gel ring (2).

[0038] Figure 8: Shows a general view of the laryngeal mask including the minichamber duct (5b), located in a lateral position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body (10) of the mask, in which the oxygenation duct (6) is located in a central position with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body. The body (10) may also be provided with other hollow ducts to be able to introduce optional additional tubes, if applicable.

[0039] Detailed description

[0040] The present invention relates, as previously mentioned, to a laryngeal mask (1) provided with a chamber or mini-chamber in its own duct, which will typically be located laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis and will be located more or less parallel to the oxygenation duct through which medical materials such as an endotracheal tube can also be introduced.

[0041] In general, the tissue retention bar (3) of the present invention is located in front of the mini-chamber (5), which is located at the end of the mini-chamber's own duct (5b). This duct will normally be lateral to the oxygenation duct, since its function is to prevent the tissues from falling in front of the mini-chamber (5) and impeding its vision. The details of the different components of the mask will be explained below with reference to the attached figures. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the laryngeal mask object of the present invention, in which the bar, spar or crossbar (3) according to the present invention can be seen.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the interior of the dome of the laryngeal mask of Figure 1, where a first embodiment of the tissue retention device of the invention can be seen, comprising a floating bar, spar or crossbar (3), where it can be seen that said bar, spar or crossbar is provided with a gap (3d) on its lower side to allow the passage of medical material, which passes freely under the bar, without any obstacle and in such a way that when passing it does not modify the shape or position of the bar, spar or crossbar. As indicated, the function of said fixed bar, which is located in front of the lateral chamber duct, is to prevent the tissues of the larynx from falling onto the duct that is in a lateral position that incorporates the mini-camera inside, thus avoiding obstruction of its vision.Among the tissues of the larynx and pharynx that can fall in front of the mini-camera are, for example: the tongue, the uvula, the epiglottis, etc. In this first embodiment, the fixed points of permanent connection of the bar, spar or crossbar can be seen. One fixing point of the bar is in its proximal part with the edge of the dome of the laryngeal mask (3a), and another fixing point of the bar is in its distal part (3b), joined to a pusher (3c) that is located inside the dome of the laryngeal mask. In this first embodiment, the lower part of the bar, spar or crossbar is provided with a gap (3d), with the hanging or floating bar permanently fixed at its two ends (3a) and (3b).

[0043] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a detail of the interior of the dome of the laryngeal mask in Figure 2, where the permanent fixing points of the bar, crossbar or beam seen in Figure 2 can be seen.

[0044] Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the interior of the dome of a second embodiment of the laryngeal mask, where another possible embodiment of the bar, spar or crossbar device can be seen, where all the characteristics are the same as the first embodiment, with the difference that the lower part of the bar can reach the lower part of the dome (9), thus going from being a hanging bar to being a solid wall (4).

[0045] Figure 5: Shows a schematic view of a detail of the interior of the dome of the laryngeal mask in Figure 4.

[0046] Figure 6: Shows a detailed schematic view of the support of the tissues of the larynx and pharynx, including for example the epiglottis, on the upper surface of the bar, crossbar or crossbar, preventing them from falling in front of the lateralized duct of the mini-camera, and avoiding loss of vision.

[0047] Figure 7: Shows a detailed view of the positioning of the laryngeal mask in a patient's larynx. Figure 8 shows a schematic view of the positioning of the laryngeal mask (1) in relation to the entrance of the trachea (5) and the esophagus (6) in a patient's larynx.

[0048] In this way, the laryngeal mask of the present invention represents an improvement over masks known in the state of the art, allowing a constant view of the interior of the patient's larynx without the risk of losing vision due to objects falling in front of the camera.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Laryngeal mask (1) comprising a dome (9) configured to be arranged on the larynx of a patient, characterized in that said dome (9) comprises inside a viewing chamber (5) for viewing the inside of the larynx of the patient, and a tissue retention device, located in front of the camera (5), intended to prevent obstruction of the view of the camera by tissues or other objects, device comprising either a floating bar (3) or a wall (4), where the bar (3) or the wall (4) partially or totally crosses the inner opening of the dome (9) along its longitudinal axis or parallel to it, and where the bar (3) or wall (4) are permanently fixed at its two ends.

2. Laryngeal mask (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the floating bar (3) is provided with a gap (3d) on its lower side and is permanently connected by its two ends (3a, 3b) to opposite points on the inside of the dome (9), so that the bar (3) completely passes through the inner opening of the dome (9).

3. Laryngeal mask (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bar (3) is fixedly connected by its proximal end (3a) to the interior of the dome (9) and by its distal end (3b) to a pusher (3c) which is a fixed part whose function is to change the direction of the tip of the endotracheal tube and direct it towards the center of the trachea, such that the floating bar (3) partially passes through the interior opening of the dome (9).

4. Laryngeal mask (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (4) extends to the bottom (4e) of the dome (9) and is permanently connected by its two ends (4a, 4b) to opposite points of the interior of the dome (9), so that the wall (4) completely crosses the interior opening of the dome (9).

5. Laryngeal mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (4) extends to the bottom (4e) of the dome and is permanently attached by its proximal end (4a) to the interior of the dome (9) and by its distal end (4b) to a pusher (3c) which is a fixed piece whose function is to change the direction of the tip of the endotracheal tube and direct it towards the center of the trachea, such that the wall (4) partially crosses the interior opening of the dome (9).

6. Laryngeal mask (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dome (9) is connected to a main body (10) of the mask, main body comprising at least a first conduit (5b) for the connection cable (5a) of the chamber (5), and a second oxygenation conduit (6) intended to supply oxygen or air to the patient's lungs or to introduce medical materials into the trachea.

7. Laryngeal mask (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the chamber duct (5b) and the oxygenation duct (6) are substantially parallel within the main body (10) of the mask.

8. Laryngeal mask (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the chamber duct (5b) is located in a lateral position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main body of the laryngeal mask, and the oxygenation duct (6) is located in a central position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main body of the laryngeal mask.

9. Laryngeal mask (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the chamber (5) is offset parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dome (9), and the tissue retention device (3, 4) is also offset parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dome (9) in the same direction as the chamber (5), so that said tissue retention device (3, 4) is located in front of the chamber (5).

10. Laryngeal mask (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the chamber (5) is located on the longitudinal axis of the dome (9), and the tissue retention device (3, 4) is also located on the longitudinal axis of the dome (9), such that said tissue retention device (3, 4) is located in front of the chamber (5).

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