Acute pulmonary pressurization device and method of use

Abstract

A system and method for relief of negative lung pressure during acute laryngospasm or upper airway obstruction, providing a non-toxic gas cartridge capable of supplying between 0.5-5 liters of gas during a procedure, a valve adapted to commence and stop gas release, and a trans-cricothyroid cartilage inflation needle for acutely relieving the negative pressure in the chest. The needle may also be used to insert a guidewire to assist in endotracheal tube insertion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thoracic inflation device, comprising:
 a canister having a non-toxic gas pressurized to at least 120 psi;   a hollow inflation needle having an elongated axis and a sharp tip configured to pierce through human skin and cartilage into the larynx or trachea of a human with minimal tissue trauma;   a valve, configured to control a rate of release of the non-toxic gas from the canister through the hollow inflation needle to a rate of between 1-60 liters per minute into the larynx or trachea; and   an insertion depth stop surface extending normal to the elongated an axis of the hollow inflation needle from on an exterior of the hollow inflation needle, configured to establish an insertion limit for the inflation needle with respect to the human skin.   
     
     
         2 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured to automatically release between 0.5 and 2.0 liters of the non-toxic gas per activation. 
     
     
         3 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a finger trigger. 
     
     
         4 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve is configured control the rate of release of the non-toxic gas through the hollow inflation needle to a rate of 3-20 liters per minute. 
     
     
         5 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect a subatmospheric pressure in the larynx or trachea. 
     
     
         6 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 5 , wherein the value is further configured to automatically supply the non-toxic gas until the subatmospheric pressure is relieved. 
     
     
         7 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve has an finger-activated trigger, is limited to provide between 0.5-1.5 liters per finger activation, and requires a reset before supply of more non-toxic gas. 
     
     
         8 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow inflation needle comprises a dual lumen cannula having a first lumen configured to supply the non-toxic gas to the larynx or trachea, and a second lumen configured to sense a pressure within the larynx or trachea, wherein an initial flow of the non-toxic gas is emitted through the second lumen to ensure that it is clear. 
     
     
         9 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow inflation needle has a closed tip and a side exhaust port for the non-toxic gas. 
     
     
         10 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the non-toxic gas is anoxic. 
     
     
         11 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises a timer configured to limit a duration of flow of the non-toxic gas through the hollow inflation needle. 
     
     
         12 . The thoracic inflation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow inflation needle has a lumen aligned with the long axis, with a terminal inclined surface configured to deflect an inserted guidewire out through a sidewall aperture of the hollow inflation needle. 
     
     
         13 . A thoracic inflation method, comprising:
 providing an inflation device comprising:
 a canister having a non-toxic gas pressurized to at least 120 psi; 
 a hollow inflation needle having an elongated axis and a sharp tip configured to pierce through human skin and cartilage into the larynx or trachea of a human with minimal tissue trauma; 
 a valve, configured to control a rate of release of the non-toxic gas from the canister through the hollow inflation needle to a rate of between 1-60 liters per minute into the larynx or trachea; and 
 an insertion depth stop surface extending normal to the elongated an axis of the hollow inflation needle from on an exterior of the hollow inflation needle, configured to establish an insertion limit for the inflation needle with respect to the human skin; 
   determining that a human has an obstructive apnea;   inserting the hollow inflation needle through the skin and larynx or trachea of the human, until the insertion depth stop contacts the human skin;   activating the valve, to inject the non-toxic gas into the larynx or trachea, in a sufficient amount to alleviate a negative pressure within the larynx or trachea; and   removing the hollow inflation needle from the larynx or trachea.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising restoring patency of the upper airway of the human. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the valve is automatically releases between 0.5 and 2.0 liters of the non-toxic gas per activation into the larynx or trachea, at a rate of 3-20 liters per minute. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , further detecting a subatmospheric pressure in the larynx or trachea, and automatically controlling the valve to permit the flow of the non-toxic gas until the subatmospheric pressure is alleviated. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the valve has a trigger and is limited to provide between 0.5-1.5 liters per activation, requiring a reset before supply of more non-toxic gas, the method further comprising:
 activating the trigger a first time to supply between 0.5-1.5 liters of the non-toxic gas;   resetting the trigger; and   activating the trigger a second time to supply between 0.5-1.5 liters of the non-toxic gas.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the hollow inflation needle comprises a dual lumen cannula having a first lumen configured to supply the non-toxic gas to the larynx or trachea, and a second lumen configured to sense a pressure within the larynx or trachea;
 the method further comprising:   after insertion through the human and larynx or trachea, providing an initial flow of the non-toxic gas through the second lumen to ensure that it is clear;   providing a subsequent flow of the non-toxic gas through the first lumen;   sensing a pressure in the second lumen to monitor the pressure in the larynx or trachea; and   automatically ceasing inflation selectively dependent on the pressure in the larynx or trachea.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the hollow inflation needle has a lumen aligned with the long axis, with a terminal inclined surface configured to deflect a guidewire in the lumen out through a sidewall aperture of the hollow inflation needle, the method further comprising:
 after activating the valve and before removing the hollow inflation needle from the larynx or trachea, inserting the guidewire through the lumen of the hollow inflation needle;   feeding a looped end of the guidewire through the lumen, and towards an upper airway obstruction;   attaching a breathing tube to the looped end of the guidewire;   pulling the breathing tube past the upper airway obstruction by retracting the guidewire from the hollow inflation needle;   disconnecting the looped end of the guidewire from the breathing tube; and   removing the hollow inflation needle and guidewire from the larynx or trachea.   
     
     
         20 . A thoracic inflation device, comprising:
 a hollow inflation needle having an elongated axis, a hollow lumen, a sharp tip configured to pierce through human skin and cartilage into the larynx or trachea of a human with minimal tissue trauma, and a side port continuous with the hollow lumen;   an insertion depth stop surface extending normal to the elongated an axis of the hollow inflation needle from on an exterior of the hollow inflation needle, configured to establish an insertion limit sharp tip of the inflation needle respect to the human skin; and   a valve, configured to receive a gas from a canister having a pressure in excess of 120 psi, and to control a flow of the gas into the larynx or trachea to a rate of release between 3-20 liters per minute and an amount of the gas between 0.5 and 2 liters.