System and method for controlling and monitoring flow in an endotracheal tube
Inventors
Deutsch, Israel • Efrati, Shai • Venkert, Yoav • Azizi, Moshe • Vakrat, Yizhaq • Gelberg, Vitali
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10806882-B2
Publication Date
2020-10-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for controlling and monitoring flow in a cuffed endotracheal tube device is disclosed. The system comprises: a connector panel having at least three connectors adapted for establishing fluid communication with proximal ends of at least a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a cuff inflation line of the endotracheal tube device. The system can further comprise a processing unit and a control unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to instruct the control unit to execute various operations, including at least a rinsing procedure, a suctioning procedure, a cuff inflation procedure, a leak detection procedure and a venting procedure, and to select any of the first and the second fluid lines for any of the rinsing, suctioning, leak detection and venting procedures. In some embodiments, the system exploits the cuff as sensor to sense pulmonary data.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to controlling and monitoring flow in a cuffed endotracheal tube device introduced into a trachea. It provides a connector panel with at least three connectors for fluid communication with proximal ends of a first fluid line, a second fluid line, and a cuff inflation line. A processing unit instructs a control unit to execute operations including a rinsing procedure, a suctioning procedure, a cuff inflation procedure, a leak detection procedure, and a venting procedure.
A core aspect is automatic selection of which fluid line is used for leak detection and suctioning at different times. The processing unit selects the first fluid line for performing the leak detection procedure and the suctioning procedure at different times, and also selects the second fluid line for performing the leak detection procedure and the suctioning procedure at different times.
Further aspects include executing a rinsing procedure in which rinsing fluid is introduced into one of the fluid lines with a first amount introduced in a staggered manner and a second amount introduced in a continuous manner. The rinsing is configured to rinse a subglottal cavity in the trachea, and the suctioning procedure is generally simultaneous with introduction of the second amount of rinsing fluid.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00029. They share a common inventive system architecture for controlling and monitoring flow in a cuffed endotracheal tube device using a connector panel and a processing/control unit that executes multiple procedures, with claim-specific refinements in line selection timing and rinsing/suction coordination.
Connector panel for multiple fluid lines
A connector panel having at least three connectors adapted for establishing fluid communication with proximal ends of at least a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a cuff inflation line of the endotracheal tube device.
Processing unit to execute multiple control operations
A processing unit configured to instruct a control unit to execute operations including at least a rinsing procedure, a suctioning procedure, a cuff inflation procedure, a leak detection procedure, and a venting procedure.
Automatic fluid-line selection for leak detection and suctioning
Automatically select the first fluid line for performing, at different times, at least the leak detection procedure and the suctioning procedure, and automatically select the second fluid line for performing, at different times, at least the leak detection procedure and the suctioning procedure.
Two-stage staggered and continuous rinsing with simultaneous suctioning
A rinsing procedure comprises introducing into one of the fluid lines: a first amount of rinsing fluid to fill the one of the fluid lines, followed by a second amount of rinsing fluid to rinse a subglottal cavity in the trachea, the first amount introduced in a staggered manner and the second amount introduced in a continuous manner; wherein the suctioning procedure is generally simultaneous with introduction of the second amount of rinsing fluid.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a connector panel connecting a first fluid line, a second fluid line, and a cuff inflation line, a processing unit that instructs a control unit to execute rinsing, suctioning, cuff inflation, leak detection, and venting, automatic selection between the first and second fluid lines for leak detection and suctioning at different times, and a rinsing procedure with staggered then continuous introduction of rinsing fluid to rinse a subglottal cavity, coordinated with generally simultaneous suctioning.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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