Device for removing a lodged mass

Abstract

A vacuum device for removing a lodged mass or bolus from the throat of a choking victim. The device includes a pump for creating a vacuum chamber communicating with a mouthpiece having a frangible membrane. A resilient striker fractures the membrane to generate a substantially instantaneous vacuum to the mouthpiece to dislodge the mass. In one embodiment, the membrane is substituted by a manually displaceable sealing member, which is resealed after use of the device by movement of a vacuum-generating plunger.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device for vacuum removal of a lodged mass from the throat of a victim, comprising: a first generally cylindrical tube having first and second ends defining a continuous bore, said first end having means for selectively engaging a mouthpiece element in substantially leak-proof relation; a resilient striker element positioned within said second end of said first tube selectively maintained in relatively cocked position by a manually operable means; a laterally-extending vacuum pump element including a second tubular member having a first end communicating with said first cylindrical tube and a second open end defining a bore, including a recess at a second end of said bore; a plunger slidably positioned in said bore having a manually-engageable handle and latching means at an outer end thereof, a sealing member, and a mouthpiece element selectively engageable in sealed relation with said first end of said first tube, said element including a frangible sealing means selectively penetrated by said striker element upon activation of said manually-operable means. 
     
     
       2. A device for the removal of a lodged mass from the throat of a victim, comprising: a housing having a principal axis, said housing having a laterally-extending member having means for selectively engaging a free end of a mouthpiece element; said laterally-extending member including a laterally-extending channel; said housing having an axially-extending bore communicating with said laterally-extending channel, and manually operable valving means disposed within said bore; an axially-extending barrel, an elongated vacuum plunger slidably positioned within said barrel, and having locking means thereon, said barrel having corresponding locking means thereon for selectively maintaining said plunger in outward, vacuum-generating position; movement of said plunger to an inward position serving to contact said valving means and return it to closed condition. 
     
     
       3. In a device for removing a lodged mass from the throat of a victim, the improvement comprising: a replaceable mouthpiece element, including a tube having a free end closed by a frangible membrane, and a vacuum-generating source having means for engaging said free end in sealed relation, said source including a resilient striker element for penetrating said membrane following positioning of said mouthpiece element; said vacuum source including a manually-operated single stroke vacuum pump plunger, said vacuum pump including latch means for maintaining said plunger in vacuum-creating position. 
     
     
       4. An antichoking device for removing an object in the throat of a victim, comprising a tube said tube having a length and a first end and a second end, one end of said tube having a mouth piece removably secured thereto, the second end of said tube having a striker, said striker having a cocked and uncocked position and having a trigger for moving said striker from a cocked to an uncocked position, said tube having a pump in communication with said tube, said pump having a first end communicating with said tube and having a plunger slidably movable in said pump from a first position to a second position, said plunger creating a vacuum in said pump when said plunger is moved to said second position said plunger being releasably retained in said second position, said tube having a frangible seal selectively penetrated by said striker upon activation of said striker. 
     
     
       5. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said tube is cylindrical. 
     
     
       6. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said second position of said plunger is further away from said tube than said first position. 
     
     
       7. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said plunger is retained in said second position by a latch. 
     
     
       8. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said striker has a nose for puncturing said frangible member. 
     
     
       9. The antichoking device according to claim 8 wherein said nose of said striker comprises axial grooves, said axial grooves permitting said vacuum to be communicated to said mouthpiece element. 
     
     
       10. The antichoking device according to claim 8 wherein said nose of said striker is generally conical. 
     
     
       11. The antichoking device according to claim 10 wherein said conical nose of said striker has a sharp point. 
     
     
       12. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said striker is restrained by a release member when said striker is in said cocked position. 
     
     
       13. The antichoking device according to claim 12 wherein said release member is toggled to permit unrestrained movement of said striker element. 
     
     
       14. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said vacuum causes said striker to puncture said frangible membrane. 
     
     
       15. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein puncturing of said membrane permits said vacuum to be communicated to said mouthpiece element. 
     
     
       16. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said striker is biased by a helical spring. 
     
     
       17. The antichoking device according to claim 16 wherein said helical spring is retained within a recess of said striker, and thereby biases said striker relative to said housing. 
     
     
       18. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said trigger is capable of being toggled from an unengaged position to an engaged position whereby said movement of said striker element is restrained. 
     
     
       19. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said trigger is pivotally mounted to said housing. 
     
     
       20. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said trigger is slidably mounted to said housing. 
     
     
       21. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said housing further comprises a portion that forms a handle grip. 
     
     
       22. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said plunger has an engeagable handle connected by a shaft, said shaft extending laterally from said plunger and protruding from an opening in said housing. 
     
     
       23. The antichoking device according to claim 4 wherein said frangible membrane comprises a foil membrane. 
     
     
       24. A device for vacuum removal of a lodged mass from the throat of a victim comprising a first tube having first and second ends, said first end having a mouth piece removably secured thereto in a substantially leak proof relation, a striker having a cocked and uncocked position and a trigger for moving said striker from said cocked to said uncocked position, a vacuum pump communicating with said tube, said pump including a plunger slidably positioned in said pump said plunger being manually movable from a first position to a second position in said pump and being releasably retained in said second position until said striker penetrates a frangible seal. 
     
     
       25. The device according to claim 24 wherein said device further comprises a biasing means, and wherein said biasing means normally biases said striker from said cocked position toward said uncocked position. 
     
     
       26. In a device for removing a lodged mass from the throat of a victim, the improvement comprising a replaceable mouthpiece, including a tube having a free end closed by a frangible membrane and a vacuum generating source, said vacuum generating source including a striker for penetrating said membrane following positioning of said mouthpiece, said vacuum generating source including a plunger said plunger manually movable from a first position to a second position to generate a vacuum, said plunger being retained in said second position until said frangible membrane is pierced by said striker. 
     
     
       27. A device for use in removing a lodged mass from the throat of a victim, said device comprising:
 (a) a mouthpiece, said mouthpiece having a generally tubular sleeve having a first end and a second end, said first end being open and said second end being sealed by a frangible membrane;   (b) a striker, said striker having a first and a second end, said striker further comprising a sealing means and a cocking member;   (c) a housing, said housing comprising a first bore creating a first end opening and a second end opening, said first end opening having a means for receiving said second end of said mouthpiece; said striker being slidably received within said bore;   (d) a release member, said release member adapted to releasably restrain movement of said striker when said striker is moved into a cocked position;   (e) a plunger, said plunger further comprising an engageable handle, and a sealing means; and   (f) a second bore within said housing; said second bore extending transverse from said first bore to create a third end opening in said housing; said second bore being interconnected to said first bore between said first and second end openings; said plunger being slidably disposed within said second cylindrical bore.   
     
     
       28. The device according to claim 27 wherein said mouthpiece forms a leak proof connection with said housing. 
     
     
       29. The device according to claim 27 wherein said bores are generally cylindrical. 
     
     
       30. The device according to claim 27 wherein said cocking member is located at said second end. 
     
     
       31. The device according to claim 27 wherein when said striker is restrained by said release member in said cocked position. 
     
     
       32. The device according to claim 31 wherein when said release member is toggled to permit unrestrained movement of said striker; said vacuum thereby causing said striker to puncture said frangible membrane. 
     
     
       33. The device according to claim 27 wherein said mouthpiece is affixed to said first end opening of said housing. 
     
     
       34. The device according to claim 27 wherein said engageable handle is actuated by moving said plunger from a position proximate to said first bore to a position proximate to said third end opening, so as to create vacuum pressure within said first and second bores. 
     
     
       35. The device according to claim 27 wherein cocking member is positioned on said housing so as to limit travel of said striker. 
     
     
       36. The device according to claim 27 wherein puncturing of said membrane by said striker permits said vacuum pressure to be communicated through said first bore to said first end of said mouthpiece element. 
     
     
       37. The device according to claim 27 wherein said striker has a nose. 
     
     
       38. The device according to claim 37 wherein said nose of said striker comprises axial grooves, said axial grooves permitting said vacuum pressure to be communicated through said first bore to said first end of said mouthpiece element. 
     
     
       39. The device according to claim 37 wherein said cocking member of said striker is used to move said striker into said cocked position, and thereby be retained by said release means. 
     
     
       40. The device according to claim 37 wherein said nose of said striker is generally conical. 
     
     
       41. The device according to claim 40 wherein said conical nose of said striker has a sharp point. 
     
     
       42. The device according to claim 27 wherein said sealing means of said striker element is disposed between said striker and said first bore to seal off said second end. 
     
     
       43. The device according to claim 27 wherein said sealing means of said plunger is disposed between said cylindrical striker and said second bore to seal off said third end. 
     
     
       44. The device according to claim 27 wherein at least one of said sealing means of said striker and said sealing means of said plunger are an o-ring seal. 
     
     
       45. The device according to claim 37 wherein said sealing means of said striker is located proximate to said nose. 
     
     
       46. The device according to claim 27 wherein said plunger further comprises a latch, said latch being engageable with said housing so as to oppose said vacuum pressure and maintain said plunger in said position proximate to said third end in said housing. 
     
     
       47. The device according to claim 27 wherein said striker is biased by a helical spring. 
     
     
       48. The device according to claim 47 wherein said helical spring is retained within a recess in said striker, and biases said striker member relative to said housing. 
     
     
       49. The device according to claim 27 wherein said release member comprises a trigger, said trigger capable of being toggled from an unengaged position to an engaged position whereby said movement of said striker is restrained. 
     
     
       50. The device according to claim 49 wherein said trigger is pivotally mounted to said housing. 
     
     
       51. The device according to claim 49 wherein said trigger is slidably mounted to said housing. 
     
     
       52. The device according to claim 27 wherein said release member comprises a threadable connection between said striker element and said housing. 
     
     
       53. The device according to claim 52 wherein said housing includes internal threading proximate to said second end opening, and said striker includes external threading on at least a portion thereof. 
     
     
       54. The device according to claim 53 wherein said cocking member has a knob to rotate said striker element and cause engagement and disengagement. 
     
     
       55. The device according to claim 27 wherein said housing further comprises a portion that forms a handle grip, said handle grip being located in proximity to said second bore. 
     
     
       56. The device according to claim 27 wherein said-plunger has an engeagable handle. 
     
     
       57. The device according to claim 56 wherein said handle and said plunger are connected by a shaft, said shaft being disposed within said second bore, said shaft being of sufficient length to permit said handle to protrude out from said third end when said plunger is located proximate to said first bore. 
     
     
       58. The device according to claim 57 wherein said shaft extends laterally from said plunger and protrudes from a slotted opening in said housing. 
     
     
       59. The device according to claim 27 wherein said plunger is maintained in a position proximate to said first cylindrical bore to prevent inadvertent actuation of said release means and accidental breaking of said frangible membrane of said mouthpiece. 
     
     
       60. The device according to claim 27 wherein said plunger is biased to be normally maintained in a position proximate to said first bore. 
     
     
       61. The device according to claim 27 wherein said frangible membrane is sealed over said second end of said mouthpiece using a collar. 
     
     
       62. The device according to claim 61 wherein said mouthpiece comprises a sealing liner, and a laterally extending protrusion. 
     
     
       63. The device according to claim 62 wherein a portion of said housing receiving said second end of said mouthpiece comprises a socket, said socket having a slot, said slot of said socket being capable of releasably engaging said laterally extending protrusion of said mouthpiece. 
     
     
       64. The device according to claim 63 wherein said frangible membrane comprise a foil membrane. 
     
     
       65. A mouthpiece element for use in a device for removing lodged particles from the throat of a victim, said mouthpiece comprising a first end and a second end with an air passageway from said first end to said second end, said first end being adapted to inserted into the mouth of the victim, said second end of said mouthpiece comprised of engagement sleeve with an open end, said open end being covered by a piercable membrane, said membrane being replacably secured to said engagement sleeve, said membrane being held in place on said sleeve by a collar. 
     
     
       66. The mouthpiece according to claim 65 wherein a laterally extending projection extends from said mouthpiece and engages a corresponding slot in same device for removing a lodged particle. 
     
     
       67. A device, for use in removing a lodged mass from the throat of a victim, said device comprising:
 a housing, said housing comprising: a first bore creating a first end opening and a second end opening, and a second bore being interconnected to said first bore between said first and second end openings and creating a third end opening in said housing;   a striker, said striker having a first end and a second end, said striker being slidably received within said first housing bore in sealed relation;   a trigger, said trigger being adapted for releasably restraining movement of said striker when said striker is moved into a cocked position being distal from said first end opening;   a mouthpiece, said mouthpiece having a first end and a second end, said first end being open and said second end being sealed by a frangible membrane; said second end of said mouthpiece being received at said first end opening of said housing with said frangible membrane sealing said second end opening and being selectively penetrated by said striker; and   a plunger, said plunger being slidably within said second bore in sealed relation.   
     
     
       68. A device according to claim 67 further comprising a latching means for securing said plunger in a vacuum-pressure producing position. 
     
     
       69. A device according to claim 68 wherein said mouthpiece is replaceable by being releasably received by said housing. 
     
     
       70. A device according to claim 69 wherein said plunger comprises a graspable handle. 
     
     
       71. A device according to claim 70 wherein said striker comprises a sealing means and a cocking member. 
     
     
       72. A device according to claim 71 wherein said first and second bore in said housing are cylindrical, said plunger is generally cylindrical, and said striker comprises a generally cylindrical member transitioning into a nose for penetrating said frangible membrane. 
     
     
       73. A device according to claim 72 wherein said penetrating nose of said striker comprises two or more axial grooves for communicating said vacuum pressure through said mouthpiece. 
     
     
       74. A device according to claim 73 wherein said striker comprises a cocking member. 
     
     
       75. A device according to claim 74 wherein said striker is spring biased toward said first end opening of said housing. 
     
     
       76. A device according to claim 75 wherein said frangible membrane comprises a foil membrane.