Abstract: An adjustable airway securement apparatus and method that enables precise, safe and effective positioning and maintenance of an airway device or endotracheal tube apparatus (ETT) in airways of patients in low-risk stable environments. The system is easy to install on and remove from a patient, while at the same time being sufficiently robust to maintain the airway device in its preferred position in a patient's trachea and to prevent clinically significant movement thereof. If a patient must be moved and a more robust airway securement and stabilization system is needed, the more robust system is sequentially installed on the patient in conjunction with corresponding sequential removal of the less robust apparatus while maintaining a continuous and secure airway and ventilation of the patient.

Abstract: An adjustable airway securement device that protects and enables placement, and positional stability of airway devices or endotracheal tube apparatus (ETT) of different lengths and diameters adapted to fit the airways of patients having oral and tracheal anatomical structures and facial geometries of various sizes. An internal force-exerting member, such as a flexible beam member operatively connected to an Interlock, collar, or a bonding material, or a surface texturing structure is urged into securing engagement with a sidewall of an airway device in response to rotational closure of a securing apparatus or a clamshell-type clamping member. The clamping member is configured to interact in clamping engagement with the continuous sidewall of the airway device via the Interlock device adjustably positioned in the stabilization system to prevent clinically significant movement of the distal end of the airway device with respect to the vocal cords of the patient.

Abstract: A chest drainage system securing apparatus for securing and maintaining chest drainage systems in position following placement into a human or animal patient and preventing movement or unplanned removal thereof in response to the application of significant forces in any direction thereto, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The securement system includes retention devices secured to a chest tube which interact with an adhesive pad releasably attached to a patient to ensure proper positioning of the chest tube. The adhesive pad includes one or more Heimlich-type valves for sealing sucking chest wounds and for sealing an incision formed in a patients skin and chest for the placement and insertion of a chest tube.

Abstract: An airway. stabilization system that may be used with human patients or with animal patients in veterinary applications having anatomical and facial geometries of various sizes and configurations including pediatric, and, in particular, addresses the unique challenges associated with maintaining the mechanical ventilation of infants and children. The stabilization system may be fitted to any airway device or endotracheal tube apparatus of any size to maintain an airway in a human or animal patient’s trachea and allows both lateral and longitudinal adjustment of the airway device insertion depth and prevents unintended extubation of a patient resulting from the application of multidirectional forces of any type to the airway device.

Abstract: An airway stabilization system including an airway device and a securing mechanism or faceplate therefor is provided which includes active stabilizing components on both the airway device and the faceplate which prevent clinically significant movement of the airway device with respect to the patients vocal cords in response to the application of significant forces in any direction to the device, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The system includes an airway device and an attached retention collar which interacts with a securing device/patient to ensure proper airway insertion depth and provide unparalleled strength and stability against movement.

Abstract: An airway stabilization system including an airway device and a securing mechanism or faceplate therefor is provided which includes active stabilizing components on both the airway device and the faceplate which prevent clinically significant movement of the airway device with respect to the patient's vocal cords in response to the application of significant forces in any direction to the device, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The system includes an airway device and an attached retention collar which interacts with a securing device/patient to ensure proper airway insertion depth and provide unparalleled strength and stability against movement.

Abstract: An interactive restraint system for securing catheters in position following installation in a human or animal patient and preventing movement or unplanned removal thereof in response to the application of significant forces in any direction thereto, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The system includes a retention collar which can be secured to any catheter and releasably interacts with a securing device attached to a patient to ensure proper positioning of the catheter. The restraint system includes a unique universal, after-market applied retention collar readily adapted for use in hospital and field emergency situations to engage any catheter and facilitate ease of application and positioning under all conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the optimal endotracheal tube size for the intubation of a patient based upon both optimal tube length and optimal tube diameter which are determined by using either direct or indirect measurement devices or techniques to measure the patient's glottis aperture and tracheal length. The apparatus may include a maneuverable arm, a fiber optic video guidance system and an introducer guide to maneuver an end of the apparatus around obstructions in a patient who has a difficult airway to facilitate insertion of either an optimally sized endotracheal tube or a standard endotracheal tube into the patient's airway.

Abstract: An airway device and a securing mechanism or faceplate each of which include active stabilizing components which prevent clinically significant movement of the airway device with respect to a patient's vocal cords in response to the application of significant forces in any direction to the airway device, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The improved airway device and faceplate each have interactive components that cooperate integrally with and engage one another to provide unparalleled strength and stability against movement. The securing mechanism includes a stabilizer adapted to releaseably engage or release a retention structure on the airway device to facilitate ease of application in all conditions. A mechanism attached to the airway device allows a secure connection of a 15 mm respiratory connector to the airway device while facilitating easy disconnection of the 15 mm connector from the airway device.

Abstract: An airway stabilization system including an airway device and a securing mechanism or faceplate therefor is provided which includes active stabilizing components on both the airway device and the faceplate which prevent clinically significant movement of the airway device with respect to the patient's vocal cords in response to the application of significant forces in any direction to the device, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The system includes an airway device and an attached retention collar which interacts with a securing device/patient to ensure proper airway insertion depth and provide unparalleled strength and stability against movement.

Abstract: An airway stabilization system attachable to any airway device to maintain an airway in a patient and which prevents clinically significant movement of the airway device with respect to the patient's vocal cords in response to the application of significant forces in any direction to the device, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The system includes an improved airway device and an improved securing device having interactive components that cooperate integrally with and engage one another to provide unparalleled strength and stability against movement. The securing device includes a unique stabilizer configured to releaseably engage a retention structure on the airway device with a simple twist. A connector device connects the system to a source of ventilatory air without constricting the airway device.

Abstract: An airway stabilization system including an airway device and a securing mechanism or faceplate therefor is provided which includes active stabilizing components on both the airway device and the faceplate which prevent clinically significant movement of the airway device with respect to the patient's vocal cords in response to the application of significant forces in any direction to the device, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The system comprises an improved airway device and an improved securing device/patient faceplate having interactive components that cooperate integrally with and engage one another to provide unparalleled strength and stability against movement. The securing device includes a unique stabilizer adapted to releaseably engage or release a retention structure on the airway device to facilitate ease of application in all conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the optimal endotracheal tube size for the intubation of a patient based upon both optimal tube length and optimal tube diameter which are determined by using either direct or indirect measurement devices or techniques to measure the patient's glottis aperture and tracheal length. The apparatus may include a maneuverable arm, a fiber optic video guidance system and an introducer guide to maneuver an end of the apparatus around obstructions in a patient who has a difficult airway to facilitate insertion of either an optimally sized endotracheal tube or a standard endotracheal tube into the patient's airway.

Abstract: An airway stabilization system is provided for maintaining an airway device in a patient's trachea and for preventing clinically significant movement thereof with respect to the patient's vocal cords in response to the application of multidirectional forces to the airway device. The system includes a retention collar secured to the airway device to define a retention structure, a restraining device adapted to releaseably engage the retention structure and to cooperate therewith to prevent clinically significant movement of the airway device, and means for securing the restraining device to a patient's head.

Abstract: An airway stabilization system is provided which may be fitted to any airway device to maintain an airway in a patient and which prevents clinically significant movement of the airway device with respect to the patient's vocal cords in response to the application of significant forces in any direction to the device, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The system comprises an improved airway device and an improved securing device having interactive components that cooperate integrally with and engage one another to provide unparalleled strength and stability against movement. The securing device includes a unique stabilizer conjured to releasable engage or release a retention structure on the airway device with a simple twist to facilitate ease of application in all conditions. A connector is also provided for facilitating ease of connection and disconnection to a source of ventilatory air without constricting the airway device.

Abstract: An airway stabilization system is provided for maintaining an airway device in a patient's trachea and for preventing clinically significant movement thereof with respect to the patient's vocal cords in response to the application of multidirectional forces to the airway device. The system includes a retention collar secured to the airway device to define a retention structure, a restraining device adapted to releaseably engage the retention structure and to cooperate therewith to prevent clinically significant movement of the airway device, and means for securing the restraining device to a patient's head.

Abstract: An endotracheal airway is established using an endotracheal tube having an exterior retention structure defined by a series of longitudinally spaced recesses separated by projections. A variably-sized orifice in a faceplate constricts within a recess and contacts the projections to create a barrier against movement of the endotracheal tube. The faceplate is retained on the mouth by connection to a stabilization collar which surrounds the neck of the patient to restrain against flexion and extension which could reposition the endotracheal tube from its desired position.

Abstract: An endotracheal airway is established using an endotracheal tube having an exterior retention structure defined by a series of longitudinally spaced recesses separated by projections. A variably-sized orifice in a faceplate constricts within a recess and contacts the projections to create a barrier against movement of the endotracheal tube. The faceplate is retained on the mouth by connection to a stabilization collar which surrounds the neck of the patient to restrain against flexion and extension which could reposition the endotracheal tube from its desired position.