Apparatus and method for improved assisted ventilation
Devices and methods for allowing for improved assisted ventilation of a patient. The methods and devices provide a number of benefits over conventional approaches for assisted ventilation. For example, the methods and devices described herein permit blind insertion of a device that can allow ventilation regardless of whether the device is positioned within a trachea or an esophagus.
1 . A method for ventilating an individual, the method comprising:
inserting a ventilation device within a natural respiratory opening of the individual by advancing a working end of the ventilation device within a body passageway of the individual, where the working end includes a distal opening fluidly coupled to a first lumen and a medial opening fluidly coupled to a second lumen;
wherein the ventilation device is in fluid communication with a control unit;
drawing suction through the distal opening using a suction mechanism and maintaining the suction for a period of time;
assessing whether the distal opening is sealed by measuring a strain on the suction mechanism after a pre-determined period of time, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a ventilation lumen from one of the first lumen or the second lumen by, i) ceasing suction and selecting the first lumen as the ventilation lumen when the strain indicates that a tissue of the body passageway does not seal the distal opening within the period of time and ceasing suction through the first lumen after the pre-determined period of time, and ii) maintaining suction and selecting the second lumen as the ventilation lumen when the strain indicates that the tissue of the body passageway seals the distal opening within the period of time; and
ventilating the individual through the ventilation lumen using the ventilation device.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring a fluid parameter to indicate movement of the tissue of the body passageway against the working end of the ventilation device.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a ventilation parameter to improve ventilation of the individual, wherein the ventilation parameter comprises a parameter selected from a group consisting of a ventilation rate, volume, pressure, inhale and exhale ratios, and PEEP.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising timing ventilating the individual with a chest compression to increase effectiveness of compression and ventilation.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising initially ventilating through the medial opening during application of suction through the distal opening.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising maintaining sufficient suction to temporarily anchor the ventilation device within the body passageway upon detecting movement of the tissue of the body passageway.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a balloon coupled to the working end of the ventilation device, wherein the balloon temporarily anchors the ventilation device within the body passageway.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising coupling a collection member to the first lumen and collecting bodily fluids in the collection member during suctioning.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the body passageway comprises either a trachea or an esophagus of the individual, wherein selecting the first lumen comprises selecting the first lumen when the working end of the ventilation device is positioned within the trachea.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the body passageway comprises either a trachea or an esophagus of the individual, wherein selecting the first lumen comprises selecting the second lumen when the working end of the ventilation device is positioned within the esophagus.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a proximal portion of the ventilation device further comprises a face mask, wherein a distance between the face mask and the distal opening is adjustable.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a proximal portion of the ventilation device further comprises a reinforced section to prevent collapse of the ventilation device in a mouth of the individual.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes the suction mechanism.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein control unit includes a ventilation mechanism.