US5339805A — Blind orolaryngeal and oroesophageal guiding and …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 151 words

A method for blindly intubating a patient's trachea comprising: inserting into the patient's throat an element having a tube guiding surface and an associated supporting edge, the element being sized to be received in the throat in the vicinity of the larynx and contoured to mate against reciprocal anatomical contours of and adjacent the larynx; advancing the element into the throat until the reciprocal contours of the element and adjacent anatomy are mated together with the supporting edge of the tube guiding surface contiguous with at least the posterior edge of the larynx to effectively define an upward extension thereof such that the tube guiding surface is aimed into the larynx over the posterior edge thereof so that an intubation tube sliding along the tube guiding surface will be directed into the larynx and trachea; and advancing an intubation tube along the tube guiding surface and into the larynx and trachea.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 151 words

A method for blindly intubating a patient's trachea comprising: inserting into the patient's throat an element having a tube guiding surface and an associated supporting edge, the element being sized to be received in the throat in the vicinity of the larynx and contoured to mate against reciprocal anatomical contours of and adjacent the larynx; advancing the element into the throat until the reciprocal contours of the element and adjacent anatomy are mated together with the supporting edge of the tube guiding surface contiguous with at least the posterior edge of the larynx to effectively define an upward extension thereof such that the tube guiding surface is aimed into the larynx over the posterior edge thereof so that an intubation tube sliding along the tube guiding surface will be directed into the larynx and trachea; and advancing an intubation tube along the tube guiding surface and into the larynx and trachea.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 104 words

A blind intubation guide comprising: an element having a tube guiding surface with a supporting edge, the element being sized to be received in the throat in the vicinity of the larynx; means associated with the element for situation the element in the throat with the supporting edge of the tube guiding surface contiguous with at least he posterior edge of the laryngeal opening to effectively define an upward extension thereof such that the tube guiding surface is aimed into the larynx over the posterior edge thereof so that an intubation tube sliding along the tube guiding surface will be directed into the larynx.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 104 words

A blind intubation guide comprising: an element having a tube guiding surface with a supporting edge, the element being sized to be received in the throat in the vicinity of the larynx; means associated with the element for situation the element in the throat with the supporting edge of the tube guiding surface contiguous with at least he posterior edge of the laryngeal opening to effectively define an upward extension thereof such that the tube guiding surface is aimed into the larynx over the posterior edge thereof so that an intubation tube sliding along the tube guiding surface will be directed into the larynx.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

The intubation guide of claim 2 further comprising a handle extending from the element and sized to allow manipulation of the element in the throat from outside the mouth.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 49 words

The intubation guide of claim 2 further comprising aperture means associated with the element for providing medical implement access aimed at the trachea when the element is situated in the throat with the supporting edge of the tube guiding surface contiguous with the posterior edge of the laryngeal opening.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 13 words

The intubation guide of claim 2 wherein the tube guiding surface is arcuate.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 31 words

The intubation guide of claim 2 further comprising recess means associated with the element adjacent the tube guiding surface for abutting the posterior wall of the larynx adjacent the laryngeal opening.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 48 words

The intubation guide of claim 2 further comprising a member associated with the element and positioned to substantially surround the laryngeal opening when the element is situated in the throat with the supporting edge of the tube guiding surface contiguous with the posterior edge of the laryngeal opening.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 49 words

The intubation guide of claim 2 further comprising means associated with the element for effectively blocking access between the esophagus and the larynx when the element is situated in the throat with the supporting edge of the tube guiding surface contiguous with the posterior edge of the laryngeal opening.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 50 words

The intubation guide of claim 8 further comprising aperture means associated with the access blocking means for providing medical implement access to the esophagus when the element is situated in the throat with the supporting edge of the tube guiding surface contiguous with the posterior edge of the laryngeal opening.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The intubation guide of claim 2 further including means for aligning an intubation tube with the guiding surface to be guided therealong.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 33 words

The intubation guide of claim 10 wherein the intubation tube guiding means includes a passageway through a portion of the element, the passageway being large enough for the intubation tube to pass therethrough.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 57 words

The intubation guide of claim 10 further comprising a handle extending from the element and sized to allow manipulation of the element in the throat from outside the mouth, the intubation tube guiding means including a passageway through at least a portion of the handle, the passageway being large enough for the intubation tube to pass therethrough.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 39 words

The intubation guide of claim 12 wherein the intubation tube guiding means further includes an extension of the passageway, the extension being through a portion of the element and being large enough for the intubation tube to pass therethrough.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 133 words

A device for blindly inserting a tubular instrument through the mouth and into the larynx and trachea of a patient, the device comprising: a channel having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion including entrance access means for insertion of the tubular instrument into the channel, the distal portion including a cusplike distal tip with a convex supporting edge, the distal portion being curved downwardly relative the proximal portion such that when the device is inserted through the patient's mouth and into the throat, the distal portion extends into the patient's oropharynx and hypopharynx with the distal tip oriented toward the glottic opening inside the larynx and with the supporting edge positioned atop and contiguous with the posterior edge of the arlyngeal opening to effectively define an upward extension thereof.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 133 words

A device for blindly inserting a tubular instrument through the mouth and into the larynx and trachea of a patient, the device comprising: a channel having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion including entrance access means for insertion of the tubular instrument into the channel, the distal portion including a cusplike distal tip with a convex supporting edge, the distal portion being curved downwardly relative the proximal portion such that when the device is inserted through the patient's mouth and into the throat, the distal portion extends into the patient's oropharynx and hypopharynx with the distal tip oriented toward the glottic opening inside the larynx and with the supporting edge positioned atop and contiguous with the posterior edge of the arlyngeal opening to effectively define an upward extension thereof.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device of claim 14 wherein the proximal portion if longer than the distal portion such as to extend out of the patient's mouth and provide a handle for inserting the device into the throat.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 11 words

The device of claim 14, the distal tip edge being U-shaped.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 11 words

The device of claim 14, the distal tip edge being V-shaped.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 14, further comprising tunnel means having a portion extending separately from, and adjacent to, the channel for communication with one of the esophagus and the larynx.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device of claim 14 further comprising means for surrounding the epiglottis when the device is inserted into the throat.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device of claim 19, the surrounding means including an aperture in the channel through which the epiglottis can pass.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-08-22	1998-02-21	1998-08-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-08-22	2002-02-21	2002-08-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-08-22	2006-02-21	2006-08-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Blind orolaryngeal and oroesophageal guiding and aiming device

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