Endotracheal Tube Retention System

Abstract

A retention system for use with a bridle installed in a nose of a patient includes a member coupled to a medical device that is suspended from a nose of a patient and a connector for coupling to a bridle that is installed in a nose of a patient. The medical device extends into the mouth of a patient or is suspended adjacent the face of a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retention system for use with a bridle installed in a nose of a patient comprising:
 a member coupled to a medical device that is suspended from a nose of a patient, with the medical device extending into the mouth of a patient or being suspended adjacent the face of a patient; and   a connector for coupling to a bridle that is installed in a nose of a patient.   
     
     
         2 . The retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is an endotracheal tube installed in an airway of a patient and the connector is coupled to the endotracheal tube. 
     
     
         3 . The retention system of  claim 2 , wherein the member includes a first part that extends around the endotracheal tube, and a second part that is clipped to the first part, with the second part including a portion for coupling to the bridle. 
     
     
         4 . The retention system of  claim 3 , wherein the second part extends upwardly from the endotracheal tube towards a patient's nose. 
     
     
         5 . The retention system of  claim 3 , wherein the first part of the member includes a bite block for positioning in a patient's mouth, a flange coupled to the bite block for positioning against a patient's face, and a cylindrical member positioned on the opposite side of the flange for coupling with the second part. 
     
     
         6 . An endotracheal tube retention system comprising:
 a longitudinal member for receiving an endotracheal tube therein;   a clip for positioning around an outer portion of the longitudinal member and having at least one coupling mechanism for closing the clip around the longitudinal member; and   a bridle for coupling to the clip and for suspending the bridle above the lip and below the nose of a patient.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal member has a substantially cylindrical internal channel for receiving the endotracheal tube therein and includes a slot extending along the length thereof for receiving an endotracheal tube therethrough, with the longitudinal member having an inner diameter for grasping the endotracheal tube. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the clip has a first arm and a second arm that are coupled together by a living hinge, and the first and second arms each include an inner portion positioned adjacent the living hinge that defines a circular opening for seating around the longitudinal member, a connector for coupling the first and second arms together in a closed position, and an opening for coupling with an end of the bridle, with the opening being spaced from the living hinge. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the clip has a first opening for coupling with an end of the bridle and a second opening for coupling with an end of the bridle, with the first and second openings being spaced from one another so that the first opening is positioned at an upper end of the clip and the second opening is positioned towards a substantially centrally disposed location on the clip, with the first and second openings permitting the bridle to be coupled to the clip at different heights. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the longitudinal member includes a substantially centrally located flange that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member, with the flange having a first upper part that extends upwardly from the longitudinal member and includes a slot that is aligned with the slot of the longitudinal member, and a second part that extends outwardly from the sides and bottom of the longitudinal member, with the flange being substantially planar for abutting a patient's face and/or lips. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the flange further comprises a curved portion extending from the second portion and having a contour for mating with a lower lip of a patient. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the user's mouth is accessible when the endotracheal tube retention system is installed in a patient's mouth. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the clip is positioned substantially parallel to the first and second parts of the flange when the clip is installed around the longitudinal member. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the clip is positionable at different positions along the length of the longitudinal member. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the longitudinal member includes arms that extend from one end thereof towards a central location of the longitudinal member, with part of the clip fitting under the arms and part of the clip fitting over the arms. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the clip includes outwardly extending loops that are positioned on opposite sides of the clip and the arms fit into the loops. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the clip includes a first arm and a second arm that are coupled together via a living hinge, with a cylindrical opening provided between the first and second arms in the vicinity of the living hinge for surrounding the longitudinal member, with a first connector that includes a first part that is coupled to the first arm and a second part that is coupled to the second arm opposite the living hinge adjacent the cylindrical opening for closing the clip around the longitudinal member. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first part of the first connector is a hook and the second part of the first connector is a hook and the first and second parts of the first connector connect together. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second arms of the clip include at least one second connector for coupling the first and second arms together at a position that is spaced from the first connector, with part of the second connector being positioned on the first arm and part of the second connector being positioned on the second arm, with the second connector on one of the arms including a recess for receiving the bridle and a portion with a living hinge that is positioned in the vicinity of the second connector that permits the second connector to rotate towards the mating second connector on the other arm once the bridle is positioned in the recess. 
     
     
         20 . A system for suspending a tube that is inserted into the mouth of a patient comprising:
 a holder for holding a tube that is inserted into the mouth of a patient; and   a flexible member coupled to the holder that extends substantially upwardly toward the nose of the patient, said flexible member for extending around a body part of a patient in order to suspend the holder in position below a patient's nose, wherein the flexible member is suspended by the holder so that it does not normally touch the lips of a patient.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the holder has an elongated shape and a connecting portion is coupled to the holder for coupling with the flexible member, with the elongated shape allowing the connecting portion of the holder to be spaced from the tube. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the flexible member is one or both of a tape portion and a flexible polymeric elongated member.