US20080156324A1 - Scented and flavored oral airways - Google Patents

Abstract

An oral airway includes a first component having a first guiding surface and a second component having a second guiding surface. The first component and the second component are adapted to be removably coupled together such that the first guiding surface and the second guiding surface collectively define and encompass an interior passage through the oral airway that is dimensioned to direct, for example, a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube extending through the interior passage for tracheal intubation. The first and second components are configured to be decoupled and independently removed from a patient's mouth without disrupting an endotracheal tube that has been extended through the conduit for tracheal intubation. The first and second components may be maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure. The first and second components also may be maintained in coupled disposition by magnetism.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application is a U.S. continuation patent application of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/767,473, filed Jun. 22, 2007, which nonprovisional patent application is incorporated by reference herein, and which '473 application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/883,116, filed Jan. 2, 2007, which provisional patent application is incorporated by reference herein. The present application further is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/883,116, filed Jan. 2, 2007.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
• All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The invention generally relates to oral airways and, in particular to oral airways that facilitate fiber-optic intubation of the trachea.
• Oral airways are well known. Generally, an oral airway is a device used in anesthesia to maintain patency of the path from the mouth of a patient to the pharynx of the patient. Oral airways are commonly utilized in mask ventilation for CPR or induction of anesthesia.
• One use of oral airways is to facilitate fiber-optic intubation of the trachea with an endotracheal tube. The oral airway splints open the teeth providing a conduit through which a thin filamentous fiber-optic bronchoscope may be passed from the mouth through the vocal cords so that, in turn, an endotracheal tube may be passed over the fiber-optic scope through the oral airway to the proper position through the vocal cords. Such technique is sometimes known as the “Seldinger” technique.
• The basic design of conventional oral airways in use today is that of a hollow plastic tube which, when placed between the teeth as a bite block, follows a natural curve to the posterior pharynx to pull the tongue forward to facilitate passage of a fiber-optic tube bronchoscope to the larynx and through the vocal cords.
• Each of the following U.S. patent references discloses conventional oral airways: Ovassapian U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,218; Williams U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,930; Berman U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,067,331, 4,054,135, and 3,930,507; Northway-Meyer U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,331; and Alfery U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0000534. Each of these U.S. patent references is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
• Currently available commercial products that are believed to be based on the Ovassapian, Berman, and Williams patented oral airways discussed above are illustrated inFIGS. 1-4.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 are a top and side perspective view, respectively, of a commercially availableoral airway10 believed to represent the Ovassapian oral airway. As shown therein, theairway10 includes a wide, flatlingual surface12 that allows for stability of the oral airway and forward depression of the tongue, both of which increase the ease of positioning the fiber-optic scope. The construction of thisoral airway10 is perhaps best illustrated in the incorporated reference U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,218. Unfortunately, theoral airway10 has been found to tend to direct the fiber-optic scope and endotracheal tube posteriorly toward the esophagus rather than anteriorly toward the trachea. Theoral airway10 also has been found to be very difficult to remove without disrupting placement of an endotracheal tube after the endotracheal tube has been properly positioned with respect to the trachea.
• With reference toFIG. 3, a commercially availableoral airway20 believed to represent the Williams oral airway is shown and includes a posteriorpharyngeal curve22 that tends to direct a fiber-optic scope and endotracheal tube anteriorly toward the trachea. The construction of thisoral airway10 is perhaps best illustrated in the incorporated reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,930. Unfortunately, theoral airway20 has been found to be very narrow and to wobble in a patient's mouth, thereby making the fiber-optic scoping process difficult. Theoral airway20 also has been found to be cumbersome to remove without disrupting placement of an endotracheal tube after the endotracheal tube has been properly positioned with respect to the trachea.
• Finally, with reference toFIG. 4, a commercially availableoral airway30 believed to represent the Berman oral airway is shown and includes, on one side, a sidewall having a first opening or cutaway section (not shown) that extends the entire length of theoral airway30 and, on the other side as shown, a sidewall having a second opening orcutaway section32 that generally extends along the midsection of theoral airway30, with the sidewall further including hingingsections35 disposed there along. The hingingsections35 permit the opening of the oral airway, i.e., expansion of the first opening or cutaway extending the entire length of theoral airway30, for easy removal of a fiber-optic scope or endotracheal tube. While permitting hinging movement, the hingingsections35 nevertheless continuously join theoral airway30 such that theoral airway30 is considered to be a single integral unit. The construction of thisoral airway30 is perhaps best illustrated in the incorporated reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,135. Unfortunately, theoral airway30 has been found to be very narrow and unstable and to include a posterior curve that tends to direct a fiber-optic scope and endotracheal tube posteriorly toward the esophagus instead of anteriorly toward the trachea.
• Even in view of the conventional oral airways, it is believed that a need exists for still yet further improvement in oral airways used to facilitate fiber-optic intubation of the trachea.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of oral airways that facilitate fiber-optic intubation of the trachea, the invention is not limited to such use of oral airways and may be used in other contexts as well.
• In an aspect of the invention, an oral airway includes first and second components that are removably coupled together to define a conduit configured to receive therethrough a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube for intubation of the trachea of a patient. Furthermore, the first and second components are configured to be decoupled and independently removed from a patient's mouth without disrupting an endotracheal tube that has been received through the conduit for tracheal intubation.
• In a feature of the invention, the first and second components are maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure. The interlocking mechanical structure may include one or more spring-like elements and/or may include one or more detents.
• In a feature of the invention, the oral airway further includes a latch mechanism. In this respect, the first and second components, when removably coupled together, are retained in physical engagement with one another by the latch mechanism.
• In a feature of the invention, the first component includes elastic, spring-like arms that extend from and form part of the first component, and the second component includes sidewalls having corresponding slots formed therein. Furthermore, detents are formed in the arms of the first component and are received and retained by corresponding depressions formed in the slots of the second component.
• In a feature of the invention, the first component includes first and second tongues extending in generally parallel relation, the second component includes first and second grooves extending in generally parallel relation, and, when the first and second components are removably coupled together, the first and second tongues extend, respectively, within the first and second grooves in interlocking engagement. Optionally, in connection with this feature, each tongue is elongate and includes a leading end and a trailing end; each groove is elongate and includes an opening at a forward end for receiving the leading end of a respective tongue therethrough; and, when the first and second components are removably coupled together for facilitating tracheal intubation, the elongate tongues are received within the elongate grooves. Each tongue further may include a protuberance proximate the leading end; each groove further may include a recess located proximate a rear end; and, when the first and second components are removably coupled together for facilitating tracheal intubation, the protuberances of the tongues at the leading ends thereof then may be received within the recesses of the grooves at the rear ends thereof for latching of the first and second components in physical engagement with one another. Each groove may include a T slot or an L slot.
• In a feature of the invention, the first and second components are maintained in their coupled disposition by magnetism. In this regard, the first component may include sidewalls having first magnetized elements and the second component may include sidewalls having second magnetized elements that respectively attract the first magnetized elements when the first and second components are coupled together.
• In a feature of the invention, the oral airway further includes a mouth guard for abutting the exterior area of the mouth of a patient during endotracheal intubation. The mouth guard prevents the oral airway from overextending into the mouth of the patient. In connection therewith, the first component and the second component may define a chamfer between the interior passage through the oral airway and an exterior surface of the mouth guard; the first component may form a first mouth guard portion and the second component may form a second mouth guard portion, with the first mouth guard portion and the second mouth guard portion defining the mouth guard itself. Still further, the first mouth guard portion and the second mouth guard portion each may have surfaces that extend in generally coplanar relation for presenting a flush exterior mouth guard surface of the oral airway; the first mouth guard portion may extend adjacent opposite lateral sides of the second mouth guard portion; and/or the second mouth guard portion further may include an area dimensioned for grasping the second component for decoupling of the first and second components.
• In another aspect of the invention, an oral airway includes a first component having a first guiding surface and a second component having a second guiding surface. Furthermore, the first component and the second component are adapted to be removably coupled together such that the first guiding surface and the second guiding surface collectively define and encompass an interior passage through the oral airway that is dimensioned to direct a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube extending through the interior passage for tracheal intubation.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first component further includes a posterior curve that directs a fiber-optic scope or endotracheal tube anteriorly toward the vocal cords during tracheal intubation.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first and second components are configured to be decoupled and independently removed from a patient's mouth without disrupting an endotracheal tube that has been extended through the conduit for tracheal intubation.
• In a feature of this aspect, the interior passage is generally oval in cross-sectional profile, and the interior passage may be generally circular in cross-sectional profile.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first and second components provide a continuous, uninterrupted exterior surface circumferentially surrounding the interior passage. Additionally, the exterior surface may be generally oval in cross-sectional profile. The first component also may include a first generally planar member protracting on opposite lateral sides of the first component, and the second component may include a second generally planar member protracting on opposite lateral sides of the second component, with the first generally planar member and the second generally planar member extending in spaced, generally parallel relation to one another. The first generally planar member and the second generally planar member thereby may be configured to splint the teeth of the mouth of a patient, and provide stability against rotation of the oral airway, during endotracheal intubation. The second generally planar member also may include a flat lingual surface that is configured to forwardly depress the tongue of a patient during endotracheal intubation.
• In a feature of this aspect, the second component includes tapering side edges.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first and second components are maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first component is configured to slide out of physical engagement with the second component.
• In a feature of this aspect, when the first component and the second component are removably coupled together, the oral airway further includes a mouth guard for abutting the exterior area of the mouth of a patient during endotracheal intubation and preventing the oral airway from overextending into the mouth of the patient. The first component and the second component, when removably coupled together, also may define a chamfer between the interior passage through the oral airway and an exterior surface of the mouth guard. When removably coupled together, the first component also may form a first mouth guard portion and wherein the second component forms a second mouth guard portion, the first mouth guard portion and the second mouth guard portion defining the mouth guard itself. Additionally, the first mouth guard portion and the second mouth guard portion each may have surfaces that extend in generally coplanar relation for presenting a flush exterior mouth guard surface of the oral airway when the first component and the second component are removably coupled together; the first mouth guard portion may extend adjacent opposite lateral sides of the second mouth guard portion when the first component and the second component are removably coupled together; and the second mouth guard portion further may include an area dimensioned for grasping by hand of the second component for decoupling of the first and second components.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first and second components are maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure. The interlocking mechanical structure may include a spring-like element and/or a detent.
• In a feature of this aspect, the oral airway further includes a latch mechanism. Furthermore, the first and second components, when removably coupled together, are retained in physical engagement with one another by the latch mechanism.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first component includes first and second tongues extending in generally parallel relation, wherein the second component includes first and second grooves extending in generally parallel relation, and wherein, when the first and second components are removably coupled together, the first and second tongues extend, respectively, within the first and second grooves in interlocking engagement. Additionally, each tongue may be elongate and include a leading end and a trailing end; each groove may be elongate and include an opening at a forward end for receiving the leading end of a respective tongue therethrough; and, when the first and second components are removably coupled together for facilitating tracheal intubation, the elongate tongues may be received within the elongate grooves. Each tongue may further include a protuberance proximate the leading end; each groove further may include a recess located proximate a rear end; and, when the first and second components are removably coupled together for facilitating tracheal intubation, the protuberances of the tongues at the leading ends thereof may then be received within the recesses of the grooves at the rear ends thereof for latching of the first and second components in physical engagement with one another. Each groove also may include a T slot or an L slot.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first and second components are maintained in their coupled disposition by magnetism. The first component may include sidewalls having first magnetized elements and the second component may include sidewalls having second magnetized elements that respectively attract the first magnetized elements when the first and second components are coupled together.
• In another aspect of the invention, an oral airway includes superior and inferior components removably coupled together. Additionally, the superior component has an anterior portion that extends generally linearly in a longitudinal direction a first extent and includes a first curved surface; and a posterior elbow portion that extends generally curvilinearly in the longitudinal direction and includes a second curved surface. Furthermore, the second curved surface of the elbow portion in combination with the first curved surface of the anterior portion defines a first guiding surface of the oral airway. The inferior component has a first portion that extends generally linearly in the longitudinal direction approximately the first extent, and the first portion of the inferior component includes a first curved surface that is located in opposing relation to the first curved surface of the anterior portion of the superior component. A second portion of the inferior component includes a second curved surface that is located in opposing relation to the second curved surface of the elbow portion. The first and second curved surfaces of the first and second portions of the inferior component collectively define a second guiding surface. The first guiding surface and the second guiding surface collectively define and encompass an interior passage through the oral airway that is dimensioned to direct a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube extending through the interior passage for tracheal intubation.
• In a feature of this aspect, the second curved surface of the elbow portion includes a posterior curve that directs a fiber-optic scope or endotracheal tube toward the vocal cords during tracheal intubation.
• In a feature of this aspect, the superior and inferior components are configured to be decoupled and independently removed from a patient's mouth without disrupting an endotracheal tube that has been extended through the conduit for tracheal intubation.
• In a feature of this aspect, the interior passage is generally oval in cross-sectional profile and may be generally circular in cross-sectional profile.
• In a feature of this aspect, the superior and inferior components provide a continuous, uninterrupted exterior surface that circumferentially surrounds the interior passage. The exterior surface may be generally oval in cross-sectional profile. Furthermore, the superior component may include a first generally planar member that protracts in opposite lateral directions from the exterior surface of the anterior portion of the superior component, and the inferior component may likewise include a second generally planar member protracting in opposite lateral directions from the exterior surface of the first portion of the inferior component, with the first generally planar member and the second generally planar member extending in spaced parallel relation to one another. The first generally planar member and the second generally planar member thereby may be configured to splint the teeth of the mouth of a patient, and provide stability against rotation of the oral airway, during endotracheal intubation. The second generally planar member also may include a flat lingual surface that is configured to forwardly depress the tongue of a patient during endotracheal intubation.
• In a feature of this aspect, the second portion of the inferior component includes tapering side edges.
• In a feature of this aspect, the superior and inferior components are maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure.
• In a feature of this aspect, the inferior component is configured to slide out of physical engagement with the superior component.
• In a feature of this aspect, the oral airway further includes a mouth guard for abutting the exterior area of the mouth of a patient during endotracheal intubation and for preventing the oral airway from overextending into the mouth of the patient. The anterior portion of the superior component and the first portion of the inferior component further may define a chamfer between the interior passage through the oral airway and an exterior surface of the mouth guard. The superior component also may form a first mouth guard portion and the inferior component may form a second mouth guard portion, with the first mouth guard portion and the second mouth guard portion defining the mouth guard itself.
• Additionally, the first mouth guard portion and the second mouth guard portion each may have surfaces that extend in generally coplanar relation for presenting a flush exterior mouth guard surface of the oral airway; the first mouth guard portion may extend adjacent opposite lateral sides of the second mouth guard portion; and the second mouth guard portion further may include an area dimensioned for grasping by the hand for decoupling of the superior and inferior components.
• In another aspect of the invention, an oral airway includes first and second components that are removably coupled together to define a conduit through which a fiber-optic scope and/or an endotracheal tube may be extended, the first and second components completely encircling such fiber-optic scope or endotracheal tube when extending through the conduit. Additionally, when decoupled, the first and second components are independently removable from a patient's mouth without disrupting placement of an endotracheal tube.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first and second components are maintained in coupled disposition by an interlocking mechanical structure. The interlocking mechanical structure may include an elastic element and/or may include a detent.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first and second components are maintained in coupled disposition by magnetism.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first and second components, when coupled together, define a wide, flat lingual surface that allows for stability of the oral airway and forward depression of the tongue when placed within a patient's mouth.
• In a feature of this aspect, the oral airway further includes a posterior curve defined by one or both of the first and second components that directs the fiber-optic scope and endotracheal tube anteriorly toward the vocal cords.
• In a feature of this aspect, the oral airway further includes a posterior curve defined by one or both of the first and second components that directs the fiber-optic scope and endotracheal tube anteriorly toward the vocal cords.
• In still other aspects of the invention, methods for fiber-optic intubation of the trachea include the use of oral airways in accordance with any of the foregoing aspects.
• In accordance with a particular one of these aspects, a method of tracheal intubation includes the steps of extending an endotracheal tube through a conduit defined by first and second components of an oral airway, wherein the first and second components are removably coupled together to define the conduit; decoupling the first and second components after an endotracheal tube has been extended through the conduit for tracheal intubation such that the first and second components are physically separated from one another; removing the first component from the patient's mouth without disrupting the endotracheal tube; and removing the second component from the patient's mouth without disrupting the endotracheal tube.
• In a feature of this aspect, the step of removing the first component is performed prior to the step of removing the second component.
• In a feature of this aspect, the step of removing the first component is performed after the step of removing the second component.
• In a feature of this aspect, the first and second components completely encompass the endotracheal tube when extended through the conduit.
• In a feature of this aspect, the step of decoupling the first and second components includes sliding one of the components relative to the other of the components.
• In a feature of this aspect, the step of decoupling the first and second components includes further applying a sufficient amount of force to overcome a latch that serves to retain the first and second components together in fixed disposition.
• In still additional features of the invention, an oral airway may adapted, configured, or manufactured to provide a desirable smell and/or taste. For example, a flavoring material may be applied during the manufacture of the oral airway, or may be applied afterwards, that results in a desirable flavor being experienced when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth. The flavor may be, for example, that of a food, a natural flavor, or an artificial flavor including, but not limited to, bubble gum or a fruit, such as an orange. Alternatively, or in addition, a material may be may be applied during the manufacture of the oral airway, or may be applied afterwards, that results in a desirable scent or odor being experienced when the oral airway is utilized. The scent or odor may be that of a food or other pleasant item. In connection with the flavoring and/or scent, the oral airway may include a corresponding color, such as a pink color if the flavoring and/or scent is that of bubblegum.
• In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the invention, it should be noted that the invention further encompasses the various possible combinations of such aspects and features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• One or more preferred embodiments of the invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same general elements are referred to with the same or similar reference numerals.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top of a commercially available oral airway that is believed to be representative of the Ovassapian oral airway.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the side of the Ovassapian oral airway ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the side of a commercially available oral airway that is believed to be representative of the Williams oral airway.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the side of a commercially available oral airway that is believed to be representative of the Berman oral airway.
• FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of anoral airway100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view generally of a front of theoral airway100 ofFIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of theoral airway100 ofFIG. 5 illustrating the separation of two components that form theoral airway100.
• FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of anotheroral airway200 in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating the separation of two components that form theoral airway200.
• FIG. 9 is a top elevational view of anoral airway300 in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view generally of a front of theoral airway300 ofFIG. 9.
• FIG. 11 is an isometric view of anoral airway400 in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of theoral airway400 ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 13 is an isometric view of afirst component402 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 14 is an isometric view of asecond component402 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 15 is a top plan view of theoral airway400 ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 16 is a top plan view of thefirst component402 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 17 is a top plan view of thesecond component404 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of theoral airway400 ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of thefirst component402 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of thesecond component404 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of theoral airway400 ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of thefirst component402 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 23 is a front elevational view of thesecond component404 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 24 is a rear elevational view of theoral airway400 ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 25 is a rear elevational view of thefirst component402 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 26 is a rear elevational view of thesecond component404 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 27 is first side elevational view of theoral airway400 ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 28 is a first side elevational view of thefirst component402 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 29 is a first side elevational view of thesecond component404 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 30 is second side elevational view of theoral airway400 ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 31 is a second side elevational view of thefirst component402 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 32 is a second side elevational view of thesecond component404 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 33 is a first side elevational view of theoral airway400 taken alonglines33 inFIG. 27.
• FIG. 34 is a partial view of thesecond component404 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11 illustrating an indentation or recess464 of the latch mechanism of the oral airway.
• FIG. 35 is a partial view of thefirst component402 of the oral airway ofFIG. 11 illustrating raised bump orprotuberance462 of the latch mechanism of the oral airway.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the invention.
• Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
• Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
• Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
• Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”
• When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”
• Referring now to the drawings, one or more oral airways in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are next described. The following description of such oral airways is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its applications, or uses.
• Turning now toFIGS. 1-4, commercially available oral airways are illustrated. In particular,FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the Ovassapian oral airway;FIG. 3 illustrates the Williams oral airway; andFIG. 4 illustrates the Berman oral airway, all of which are commercially available and are described in detail in the “background of the invention” section above.
• In contrast, oral airways in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated inFIGS. 5-10. In particular,FIGS. 5-7 illustrate anoral airway100 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention;FIG. 8 illustrates anoral airway200 in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate anoral airway300 in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention; andFIGS. 11-35 illustrate anoral airway400, or components thereof, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.
• As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, theoral airway100 includes afirst component102 and asecond component104 that are removably coupled together to form theoral airway100. A dashedline106 is included inFIG. 5 to demarcate a preferred juncture between thefirst component102 and thesecond component104. Thedemarcation line106 also extends in similar fashion about the other side of theoral airway100. Thefirst component102 extends over thesecond component104 and forms the “top” of theoral airway100, with thesecond component104 forming the “bottom” of theoral airway100. When coupled together, thefirst component102 and thesecond component104 define aconduit108 having afirst opening110 and asecond opening112 through which a fiber-optic scope and an endotracheal tube may be extended for intubation of the trachea.
• Thefirst component102 and thesecond component104 are shown decoupled from one another inFIG. 6. When so disengaged, each of thecomponents102,104 may be independently removed from the mouth of a patient without disrupting the proper placement of an endotracheal tube in the trachea of a patient.
• When coupled together, thefirst component102 and thesecond component104 preferably are forcibly retained in this condition until some minimum amount of force is applied to separate thecomponents102,104. In theoral airway100,detents114 are utilized to retain the coupling between the twocomponents102,104. In this regard, the detents are formed on elastic, spring-like lever arms116 that extend from and form part of thesecond component104 and that are received within correspondingslots118 formed in sidewalls of thefirst component102. Thedetents114 are received and retained by correspondingdepressions120 formed in theslots118 of thefirst component102.
• Theoral airway200 ofFIG. 8 includes afirst component202 and asecond component204 that are removably coupled together to form theoral airway200, and is generally similar in design to theoral airway100 ofFIGS. 5-7. The differences between theoral airway100 and theoral airway200 relate to the mechanism that is utilized to retain the first andsecond components102,104 and202,204 in their respective coupled disposition. In this regard, while theoral airway100 ofFIGS. 5-7 utilizes an interlocking mechanical structure, including elastic elements, to maintain thecomponents102,104 in their coupled disposition, theoral airway200 ofFIG. 8 utilizes magnetism to maintain the coupling. Specifically, sidewalls of thefirst component202 includemagnetized elements214 and sidewalls of thesecond component204 of theoral airway200 includemagnetized elements216 that respectively attract each other when the twocomponents102,104 are coupled together.
• In various alternative designs of the preferred embodiments, the juncture of the first component and the second component could extend along the top and bottom of the oral airway such that the oral airway splits into two halves wherein, for example, each half is a mirror image of the other. One such example of such an arrangement is shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, wherein anoral airway300 includes afirst component302 and asecond component304 that are removably coupled together to form theoral airway300. Thisoral airway300 is generally similar in design to theoral airway100 ofFIGS. 5-7 or theoral airway200 ofFIG. 8, except that the twocomponents302,304 are joined along a vertical juncture, demarcated by a dashedline306 as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, rather than by a horizontal juncture such as, for example, the juncture demarcated by dashedline106 inFIG. 5.
• Other configurations are within the scope of the invention, with the common feature being that the oral airway separates into two independent pieces such that the oral airway may be removed directly away from the sides an endotracheal tube without displacement of the endotracheal tube. In other words, when coupled, the two components preferably completely encompass or encircle an endotracheal tube extended through the conduit of the oral airway and, when decoupled, the two components preferably do not completely encompass or encircle an endotracheal tube such that each component may be independently removed away from the endotracheal tube.
• Yet anotheroral airway400—and components thereof—in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention collectively are illustrated inFIGS. 11-35. In particular,FIGS. 11,15,18,21,24,27,30, and33 illustrate various views of thefirst component402 andsecond component404 removably coupled together to form theoral airway400.FIGS. 13,16,19,22,25,28, and31 illustrate various corresponding views of thefirst component402, andFIGS. 14,17,20,23,26,29 and32 likewise illustrate various corresponding views of thesecond component404.FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of thefirst component402 andsecond component404 arrived at by decoupling and sliding of thesecond component404 in the direction of arrow A relative to thefirst component402.FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate partial views of theoral airway400 focusing on corresponding elements of the latch mechanism of theoral airway400.
• When thefirst component402 andsecond component404 are removably coupled together to form theoral airway400, thefirst component402 extends over thesecond component404 and forms the “top” of theoral airway400, with thesecond component404 forming the “bottom” of theoral airway400. As such, thefirst component402 sometimes may be referred to herein as the “superior” component and thesecond component404 sometimes may be referred to herein as the “superior”component404.
• Furthermore, when coupled together, thefirst component402 and thesecond component404 collectively define a conduit408 (FIG. 21) having a first opening410 (FIG. 11) and a second opening412 (FIG. 18) through which, for example, a fiber-optic scope and/or an endotracheal tube may be extended for intubation of the trachea. Preferably, the internal dimension of the conduit is maximized in order to accommodate sizes of endotracheal tubes that are larger than what conventional oral airways will accommodate. Preferred dimensions for a size#9 (90 mm) oral airway are identified in the drawings and, in particular,FIGS. 21,22,23, and30. The internal diameter in this illustrated embodiment is approximately 0.9 inches at the first and second portions of thefirst component402 as shown inFIG. 30.
• Thefirst component402 and thesecond component404 also are forcibly retained in this condition until some minimum amount of force is applied to separate thecomponents402,404. Specifically, an interlocking mechanical structure is utilized in theoral airway400 to retain the coupling between the twocomponents402,404. Thefirst component402 includes a first elongate tongue452 (FIG. 19) and a second elongate tongue454 (FIG. 19) extending in generally parallel relation. Thesecond component404 includes a first elongate groove456 (FIG. 17) and a second elongate groove458 (FIG. 17) extending in generally parallel relation. When the first andsecond components402,404 are removably coupled together, the first andsecond tongues452,454 extend, respectively, within the first andsecond grooves456,458. Specifically, eachtongue452,454 includes a leading end453 (FIG. 19) and a trailing end455 (FIG. 19); eachgroove456,458 includes an opening460 (FIG. 17) at a forward end457 (FIG. 14) for receiving theleading end453 of arespective tongue452,454 therethrough; and, when the first andsecond components402,404 are removably coupled together, theelongate tongues452,454 are received respectively within theelongate grooves456,458.
• Eachtongue452,454 further includes a raised bump or protuberance462 (FIG. 35) proximate theleading end453; eachgroove456,458 further includes an indentation or recess464 (FIG. 34) located proximate therear end459; and, when the first andsecond components402,404 are removably coupled together, eachprotuberance462 is received within arecess464 for latching of the first andsecond components402,404 in physical engagement with one another.
• Eachtongue452,454 includes a cross-sectional profile that closely corresponds to a cross-sectional profile of agroove456,458 for close fitting of thetongue452,454 within thegroove456,458 without undesired play.
• Theoral airway400 also includes a mouth guard for abutting an exterior area of the mouth of a patient during endotracheal intubation and preventing theoral airway400 from overextending into the mouth of the patient. In particular, thefirst component402 forms a first mouth guard portion466 (FIG. 12) and thesecond component404 forms a second mouth guard portion468 (FIG. 12), with the firstmouth guard portion466 and the secondmouth guard portion468 defining the mouth guard itself. Thefirst component402 and thesecond component404 also preferably define a chamfer470 (FIG. 21) between theconduit408 and an exterior surface of the mouth guard for facilitating the introduction of a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube.
• The firstmouth guard portion466 and the secondmouth guard portion468 each haverespective surfaces472,474 (FIG. 21) that extend in generally coplanar relation for presenting a flush exterior mouth guard surface as seen, for example, inFIG. 18. Furthermore, as perhaps best seen inFIG. 21, the firstmouth guard portion466 extends adjacent oppositelateral sides476 of the secondmouth guard portion468 thereby bracketing the secondmouth guard portion468. The firstmouth guard portion466 may be characterized as generally “M” shaped or “C” shaped, as perhaps best seen inFIG. 22. Moreover, the secondmouth guard portion468 may be characterized as generally “U” shaped, as perhaps best seen inFIG. 23.
• The secondmouth guard portion468 also includes anarea478 dimensioned for grasping between a finger and thumb of a hand for decoupling of the first andsecond components402,404. Thisarea478 preferably comprises a pull-tab and corresponds to, at least to some extent if not completely, the secondmouth guard portion468.
• With specific regard to thefirst component402, thefirst component402 includes an anterior portion480 (FIG. 28) and a posterior elbow portion482 (FIG. 28). Theanterior portion480 extends generally linearly in a longitudinal direction along a first extent and includes a first curved surface481 (FIG. 19). Theposterior elbow portion482 extends generally curvilinearly in the longitudinal direction and includes a second curved surface483 (FIG. 19) that defines a posterior curve485 (FIG. 28). Furthermore, the secondcurved surface483 of theposterior elbow portion482 and the firstcurved surface481 of theanterior portion480 together define a first, superior guiding surface of theoral airway400.
• Likewise, with specific regard to thesecond component404, thesecond component404 also has a first portion486 (FIG. 29) and a second portion488 (FIG. 29). Thefirst portion486 extends generally linearly in the longitudinal direction approximately the first extent and includes a first curved surface487 (FIG. 17) located in opposing relation to the firstcurved surface481 of theanterior portion480 of thefirst component402. Thesecond portion488 includes a second curved surface489 (FIG. 17) located in opposing relation to the secondcurved surface483 of theposterior elbow portion482 of thefirst component402. Thesecond portion488 of thesecond component404 also includes tapering side edges490 (FIG. 29). The secondcurved surface489 of thesecond portion488 of thesecond component404 and the firstcurved surface487 of thefirst portion486 of thesecond component404 together define a second, inferior guiding surface of theoral airway400.
• As will be appreciated from the drawings, the superior guiding surface and the inferior guiding surface together define and encompass an interior passage (i.e., conduit408) through theoral airway400. This interior passage preferably is dimensioned to direct a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube extending through the interior passage for tracheal intubation. As shown by the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 33, the interior passage is generally oval in cross-sectional profile as indicated at491 and, specifically, is generally circular in cross-sectional profile.
• With continuing reference toFIG. 33, the first andsecond components402,404 include a continuous, uninterrupted curved outer exterior surface492 (FIG. 27) that circumferentially surrounds the interior passage, and thisexterior surface492 is generally oval in cross-sectional profile as indicated at493 inFIG. 33.
• Thefirst component402 of theoral airway400 also includes a first generally planar member495 (FIG. 24) that protracts in opposite lateral directions from theexterior surface492 of theanterior portion480 of thefirst component402. Likewise, thesecond component404 includes a second generally planar member497 (FIG. 26) that protracts in opposite lateral directions from theexterior surface492 of thefirst portion486 of thesecond component404. The first generallyplanar member495 and the second generallyplanar member497 extend in spaced parallel relation to one another and are configured to splint the teeth of the mouth of a patient and provide stability against rotation or wobbling of theoral airway400 during endotracheal intubation. The second generallyplanar member497 also includes a flat lingual surface496 (FIG. 18) that is configured to forwardly depress the tongue of a patient during endotracheal intubation.
• In use of any of the foregoing oral airways, a method of tracheal intubation includes the steps of extending a fiber-optic scope or an endotracheal tube through a conduit defined by first and second components of an oral airway, wherein the first and second components are removably coupled together to define the conduit; decoupling the first and second components after an endotracheal tube has been extended through the conduit for tracheal intubation such that the first and second components are physically separated from one another; removing the first component from the patient's mouth without disrupting the endotracheal tube; and removing the second component from the patient's mouth without disrupting the endotracheal tube. The step of decoupling the first and second components includes sliding one of the components relative to the other of the components. The step of decoupling the first and second components comprises further applying a sufficient amount of force to overcome a latch that serves to retain the first and second components together in fixed disposition. When decoupled, each of the components may be independently removed from the mouth of a patient without disrupting the proper placement of an endotracheal tube in the trachea of the patient. With reference to theoral airway400, theinferior component404 preferably is removed and then thesuperior component402 is removed.
• Returning now to consideration of all of the illustrated embodiments of the drawings, preferably the walls of thecomponents102,104 oforal airway100, the walls of thecomponents202,204 oforal airway200, the walls of thecomponents302,304 oforal airway300, and the walls of thecomponents402,404 oforal airway400 are constructed from medical grade low density polyethylene and have sufficient rigidity—or are reinforced—so as to prevent collapse when the oral airway is bitten down upon by a patient. The oral airways also preferably are latex free.
• Oral airways in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention may be produced in a variety of sizes ranging from neonatal to large adult sizes. As such, the oral airways preferably are color coded so as to indicate size upon quick visual observation.
• Additionally and/or alternatively, an oral airway in accordance with the present invention may be adapted, configured, or manufactured to provide a desirable smell and/or taste. For example, a flavoring material may be applied during the manufacture of the oral airway, or may be applied afterwards, that results in a desirable flavor being experienced when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth. The flavor may be, for example, that of a food, a natural flavor, or an artificial flavor including, but not limited to, bubble gum or a fruit, such as an orange. Alternatively, or in addition, a material may be may be applied during the manufacture of the oral airway, or may be applied afterwards, that results in a desirable scent or odor being experienced when the oral airway is utilized. The scent or odor may be that of a food or other pleasant item. In connection with the flavoring and/or scent, the oral airway may include a corresponding color, such as a pink color if the flavoring and/or scent is that of bubblegum.
• Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention.
• Accordingly, while the invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

Claims (21)

1-94. (canceled)

95. An oral airway adapted, configured, or manufactured to provide a particular flavor when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of a patient.

96. The oral airway ofclaim 95, wherein the oral airway comprises a flavoring material that is designed to result in a particular flavor being experienced by the patient when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of the patient.

97. The oral airway ofclaim 96, wherein the flavoring material results in a particular flavor of a food being experienced when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth.

98. The oral airway ofclaim 97, wherein the material results in the flavor of bubble gum.

99. The oral airway ofclaim 97, wherein the material results in the flavor of a fruit.

100. The oral airway ofclaim 97, wherein the oral airway includes a color that is associated with the flavor.

101. The oral airway ofclaim 95, wherein the oral airway comprises a material that results in flavor of bubblegum being experienced by the patient when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of the patient.

102. The oral airway ofclaim 101, wherein the oral airway is pink in color.

103. An oral airway adapted, configured, or manufactured to provide a particular smell when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of a patient.

104. The oral airway ofclaim 103, wherein the oral airway comprises a material that is designed to result in a particular scent being experienced by the patient when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of the patient.

105. The oral airway ofclaim 104, wherein the scent is that of a food.

106. The oral airway ofclaim 104, wherein the oral airway includes a color that is conventionally associated with the scent.

107. The oral airway ofclaim 103, wherein the oral airway comprises a material that results in scent of bubblegum being experienced by the patient when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of the patient.

108. The oral airway ofclaim 107, wherein the oral airway is pink in color.

109. An oral airway, comprising:

(a) a material that is designed to result in a particular flavor being experienced by the patient when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of the patient; and

(b) a material that is designed to result in a particular scent being experienced by the patient when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of the patient.

110. The oral airway ofclaim 109, wherein the material, which is designed to result in a particular flavor being experienced by the patient when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of the patient, results in a particular flavor of a food being experienced when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth.

111. The oral airway ofclaim 110, wherein the oral airway includes a color that is associated with the flavor of the food.

112. The oral airway ofclaim 110, wherein the material, which is designed to result in a particular scent being experienced by the patient when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of the patient, results in a particular scent of the food being experienced when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth.

113. The oral airway ofclaim 112, wherein the oral airway includes a color that is associated with the scent of the food.

114. The oral airway ofclaim 113, wherein the oral airway comprises a material that results in scent and flavor of bubblegum being experienced by the patient when the oral airway is utilized in the mouth of the patient.

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