Transtracheal catheter system and method

Claim 1

A system of kits for insertion of a transtracheal catheter system into a patient, said system comprising: a first kit for forming a tract in the neck and trachea of the patent; said first kit including: a hypodermic needle for forming an initial tract in said trachea; guide wire means for insertion through said hypodermic needle to maintain said initial tract after said hypodermic needle is removed; dilator means for insertion over said guide wire means to enlarge said initial tract; and stent means for maintaining said enlarged tract as said enlarged tract initially heals; a second kit for temporarily inserting a temporary transtracheal catheter in said patient while said tract fully heals; said second kit including: a temporary transtracheal catheter for insertion in said initially healed tract to maintain said tract until said tract fully heals wherein said temporary transtracheal catheter is kept in place to allow said tract to fully heal; and means for cleaning said temporary transtracheal catheter in place wherein said temporary transtracheal catheter is cleaned without removing from said tract as said tract fully heals; and a third kit for insertion of the final transtracheal catheter in said patient; said third kit including: a final removable transtracheal catheter wherein said final removable transtracheal catheter is removable from said tract; and means for cleaning said final transtracheal catheter both as said final transtracheal catheter is in place in the patient's trachea and as said final transtracheal catheter is removed from the patient's trachea.

Claim 2

A system of kits for insertion of a transtracheal catheter system into a patient, said system comprising: a first kit for forming a tract in the neck and trachea of the patent; said first kit including: a hypodermic needle for forming an initial tract in said trachea; guide wire means for insertion through said hypodermic needle to maintain said initial tract after said hypodermic needle is removed; dilator means for insertion over said guide wire means to enlarge said initial tract; and stent means for maintaining said enlarged tract as said enlarged tract initially heals; a second kit for temporarily inserting a temporary transtracheal catheter in said patient while said tract fully heals; said second kit including: a temporary transtracheal catheter for insertion in said initially healed tract to maintain said tract until said tract fully heals wherein said temporary transtracheal catheter is kept in place to allow said tract to fully heal; and means for cleaning said temporary transtracheal catheter in place wherein said temporary transtracheal catheter is cleaned without removing from said tract as said tract fully heals; and a third kit for insertion of the final transtracheal catheter in said patient; said third kit including: a final removable transtracheal catheter wherein said final removable transtracheal catheter is removable from said tract; and means for cleaning said final transtracheal catheter both as said final transtracheal catheter is in place in the patient's trachea and as said final transtracheal catheter is removed from the patient's trachea.

Claim 17

A system of kits for insertion of a transtracheal catheter system into a patient, said system comprising a first kit for forming a tract in the neck and trachea of the patient; said first kit comprises an upper tier and a second tier; said upper tier includes a surgical marking pen for marking the anatomy of the patient's neck at and around the tract site, a length of chain necklace with connectors to be placed around the patient's neck to determine the appropriate puncture site, disposable wire cutters to cut said chain to length, alcohol prep pads, a first needle and a syringe to inject local anesthetic in the neck, a second needle for said syringe to inject anesthetic into the trachea, soap and a sponge stick for cleaning the area around the selected tract site and gauze pads to blot the skin dry; said lower tier includes a scalpel to form an incision at said site, a third needle and a second syringe to form an initial puncture wound in said incision, a dilator insertable in said initial puncture wound to stretch the tissue around said initial puncture wound to form said tract, a stent to allow initial healing of said tract, lubricating jelly to assist in inserting said stent, means to suture the stent to the skin, a bandage to cover said stent while initial healing of said tract occurs, a guide wire insertable through said third needle so said third needle can be removed over said guide wire and said dilator and said stent can be respectively inserted and removed over said guide wire so to be aligned with said initial puncture wound; said system further comprises a second kit, said second kit including a temporary transtracheal catheter for use while said tract is healing, a cleaning rod formed of a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said temporary catheter and slightly longer than the length of said temporary catheter, a supply hose and connectors to connect said temporary catheter to an external oxygen source; and said system comprises a third kit, said third kit includes a final catheter insertable in said tract, a cleaning rod formed of a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said final catheter and slightly longer than the length of said final catheter.

Claim 18

A system of kits for insertion of a transtracheal catheter system into a patient, said system comprising a first kit for forming a tract in the neck and trachea of the patient; said first kit comprises an upper tier and a second tier; said upper tier includes a surgical marking pen for marking the anatomy of the patient's neck at and around the tract site, a length of chain necklace with connectors to be placed around the patient's neck to determine the appropriate puncture site, disposable wire cutters to cut said chain to length, alcohol prep pads, a first needle and a syringe to inject local anesthetic in the neck, a second needle for said syringe to inject anesthetic into the trachea, soap and a sponge stick for cleaning the area around the selected tract site and gauze pads to blot the skin dry; said lower tier includes a scalpel to form an incision at said site, a third needle and a second syringe to form an initial puncture wound in said incision, a dilator insertable in said initial puncture wound to stretch the tissue around said initial puncture wound to form said tract, a stent to allow initial healing of said tract, lubricating jelly to assist in inserting said stent, means to suture the stent to the skin, a bandage to cover said stent while initial healing of said tract occurs, a guide wire insertable through said third needle so said third needle can be removed over said guide wire and said dilator and said stent can be respectively inserted and removed over said guide wire so to be aligned with said initial puncture wound; said system further comprises a second kit, said second kit including a temporary transtracheal catheter for use while said tract is healing, a cleaning rod formed of a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said temporary catheter and slightly longer than the length of said temporary catheter, a supply hose and connectors to connect said temporary catheter to an external oxygen source; and said system comprises a third kit, said third kit includes a final catheter insertable in said tract, a cleaning rod formed of a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of said final catheter and slightly longer than the length of said final catheter.