Retainer for a Laryngeal Mask
An endo-tracheal tube retainer used to facilitate the removal of a laryngeal mask of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related medical instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening is provided. The endo-tracheal tube retainer includes a semi-rigid stylet having proximate and distal ends and a soft curved stylet cap secured to the proximal end. The endo-tracheal tube also includes a connection adapter that is tapered from front to rear for secure insertion within a range of endo-tracheal tubes, removeably secured to the distal end.
1 . The combination of an endo-tracheal tube retainer and an endo-tracheal tube comprising:
an endo-tracheal tube placed through a laryngeal airway and into a patient's laryngeal opening; and
a endo-tracheal tube retainer including:
a semi-rigid stylet rod having proximal and distal ends; and
a connection adapter capable of secure insertion within said endo-tracheal tube, said adapter being secured to said distal end of said solid stylet rod;
wherein, said endo-tracheal tube retainer is secured to said endo-tracheal tube so that said laryngeal airway can be removed from said patient's oropharynx without dislodging said endo-tracheal tube.
2 . The combination of claim 1 wherein said laryngeal airway is of the type having a flexible respiratory tube, and said endo-tracheal tube retainer is sufficiently small in diameter to pass through said flexible respiratory tube.
3 . The combination of claim 2 wherein said semi-rigid stylet extends from the laryngeal opening to a point external to a patient's oral cavity when secured to said endo-tracheal tube.
4 . The combination of claim 1 wherein said stylet is adapted for use independently of said endo-tracheal tube as an intubating stylet.
5 . The combination of claim 1 wherein said connection adapter is removably secured to said semi-rigid stylet.
6 . A combination of an endo-tracheal tube retainer and a laryngeal mask comprising:
a laryngeal mask of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening; and
a endo-tracheal tube retainer including:
a semi-rigid stylet rod having proximal and distal ends; and
a connection adapter capable of secure insertion within an endo-tracheal tube placed through said laryngeal mask and into said patient's laryngeal opening, said adapter being secured to said distal end of said solid stylet rod;
wherein, said endo-tracheal tube retainer is secured to said endo-tracheal tube so that said laryngeal mask can be removed from said patient's oropharynx without dislodging said endo-tracheal tube.
7 . The combination of claim 6 wherein said laryngeal mask is of the type having a flexible respiratory tube, and said endo-tracheal tube retainer is sufficiently small in diameter to pass through said flexible respiratory tube.
8 . The combination of claim 7 wherein said semi-rigid stylet extends from the laryngeal opening to a point external to a patient's oral cavity when secured to said endo-tracheal tube.
9 . The combination of claim 6 wherein said stylet is adapted for use independently of said endo-tracheal tube as an intubating stylet.
10 . The combination of claim 6 wherein said connection adapter is removably secured to said semi-rigid stylet.
11 . A combination of an endo-tracheal tube retainer and a laryngeal airway comprising:
a laryngeal airway of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening; and
a endo-tracheal tube retainer including:
a semi-rigid stylet rod having proximal and distal ends; and
means for securing said endo-tracheal tube retainer to an endo-tracheal tube placed through said laryngeal airway and into said patient's laryngeal opening, said means being secured to a distal end of said solid stylet rod;
wherein, said endo-tracheal tube retainer is secured to said endo-tracheal tube so that said laryngeal airway can be removed from said patient's oropharynx without dislodging said endo-tracheal tube.
12 . The combination of claim 11 wherein said laryngeal airway is of the type having a flexible respiratory tube, and said endo-tracheal tube retainer is sufficiently small in diameter to pass through said flexible respiratory tube.
13 . The combination of claim 12 wherein said semi-rigid stylet extends from the laryngeal opening to a point external to a patient's oral cavity when secured to said endo-tracheal tube.
14 . The combination of claim 11 wherein said stylet is adapted for use independently of said endo-tracheal tube as an intubating stylet.
15 . The combination of claim 11 wherein said means are removably secured to said semi-rigid stylet.
16 . The combination of an endo-tracheal tube retainer and an endo-tracheal tube comprising:
an endo-tracheal tube placed through a laryngeal mask and into a patient's laryngeal opening; and
a endo-tracheal tube retainer including:
a semi-rigid stylet rod having proximal and distal ends; and
a connection adapter capable of secure insertion within said endo-tracheal tube, said adapter being secured to said distal end of said solid stylet rod;
wherein, said endo-tracheal tube retainer is secured to said endo-tracheal tube so that said laryngeal mask can be removed from said patient's oropharynx without dislodging said endo-tracheal tube.
17 . The combination of claim 16 wherein said laryngeal mask is of the type having a flexible respiratory tube, and said endo-tracheal tube retainer is sufficiently small in diameter to pass through said flexible respiratory tube.
18 . The combination of claim 17 wherein said semi-rigid stylet extends from the laryngeal opening to a point external to a patient's oral cavity when secured to said endo-tracheal tube.
19 . The combination of claim 16 wherein said stylet is adapted for use independently of said endo-tracheal tube as an intubating stylet.
20 . The combination of claim 16 wherein said connection adapter is removably secured to said semi-rigid stylet.