Tracheostomy accessory and methods of use
The present invention is directed to a tracheostomy accessory and an associated kit to improve patient comfort and promote stomal healing. A tracheostomy accessory that comprises a faceplate. The faceplate comprises a central portion, a least two end sections, and at least two linking sections. The linking sections can be configured to connect the central portion to the end sections. A method of use of the tracheostomy accessory is also disclosed herein.
1 . A tracheostomy accessory comprising:
a faceplate that comprises a central portion, at least two end sections, and at least two linking sections, wherein the at least two linking sections are configured to connect the central portion to the end sections;
the central portion being elevated in relation to the end sections such that contact between the faceplate and the skin of a patient is reduced;
each of the at least two end sections comprising a footplate configured to support the faceplate on the patient;
the faceplate further comprising a canula receiving portion that comprises a channel extending through the central portion, wherein the canula receiving portion is configured to receive and hold at least a portion of a tracheostomy canula, wherein the at least two linking sections each comprise a stomal viewport; and
a sponge, wherein at least a portion of the sponge is configured to pass through a first stomal viewport of the at least two linking sections and wherein a first face of the sponge comprises an outer contour matching a contour of the first stomal viewport, whereby the sponge is configured to removably reside at least partially within the first stomal viewport in a deployed state.
2 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the at least two linking sections comprise a curvature that extends upward from the end sections and terminates at the central portion to create an arched faceplate.
3 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 2 , wherein the at least two linking sections comprise a mean angle of curvature of about 125 degrees or about 161 degrees.
4 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the central portion is integral with the at least two linking sections and each linking section is integral with one end section such that the faceplate comprises a single, continuous structure.
5 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the stomal viewports are configured to permit viewing of a stoma on the patient.
6 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 5 , wherein the sponge is configured to reside within a space between the skin of the patient and at least one of the at least two linking sections of the faceplate.
7 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the sponge comprises a protrusion for use in positioning the sponge through the first stomal viewport..
8 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 7 , wherein the sponge is configured to reside a space between the first stomal viewport and the skin of the patient.
9 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 8 , wherein an undersurface of the sponge comprises an adhesive material configured to reversibly secure the sponge to the skin of the patient.
10 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein each footplate further comprises at least one cushion configured to reduce irritation of the patient's skin.
11 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate further comprises at least one hole that is configured to receive and hold a suture.
12 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 11 , wherein the at least one hole is disposed on at least one of the footplates.
13 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate further comprises at least one tie channel through which a tracheostomy tie or strap can be passed and used to secure the faceplate to the neck of the patient.
14 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate comprises a medical grade metal, a medical-grade polymer, or a combination thereof.
15 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 14 , wherein the medical grade metal comprises stainless steel, titanium, tantalum, gold, platinum, palladium, or a combination thereof.
16 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 14 , wherein the faceplate comprises a silicone elastomer, sterilizable plastic, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyether block amide, polyvinyl chloride or a combination thereof.
17 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate is reusable.
18 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate comprises a height from about 3 mm to about 20 mm.
19 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate comprises a height of about 5 mm or about 15 mm.
20 . The tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 , wherein a second, arcuate face of the sponge is configured to surround at least a portion of the tracheostomy canula in the deployed state.
21 . A method of stabilizing a tracheostomy canula in a patient comprising:
obtaining the tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 ;
placing the tracheostomy canula through the canula receiving portion of the faceplate; and
securing the faceplate to the patient.
22 . A kit for use in stabilization of a tracheostomy tube comprising:
the tracheostomy accessory of claim 1 ; and
instructions for use of the kit.