Endotracheal tube and intubation system including same
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11938270-B2
Publication Date
2024-03-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
An endotracheal tube comprises a main lumen for delivering a breathing gas into a lung of a patient, and a cuff, mounted at a distal end of the endotracheal tube, to be located in the subglottal region of the patient. The endotracheal tube also comprises a cuff inflation lumen for inflating the cuff, and at least three additional lumens, other than the main lumen and the cuff inflation lumen, configured for delivering liquid to the subglottal region, for suctioning liquid from the subglottal region, and for venting the subglottal region.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endotracheal tube and intubation system for mechanically ventilated patients. A distal cuff of the tracheal tube is configured to form, in the subglottal region, a continuous volume that extends from the cuff to the vocal cords. A cuff inflation lumen inflates the cuff, and a suction lumen and an optional rinsing lumen communicate liquid and liquid suctioning with the continuous volume.
A venting lumen is provided for venting the continuous volume to atmosphere, and can be used for CO2 or leak analysis. The suction port, rinsing port, and venting port are separated from each other and are positioned outside any cuff, with corresponding lumens ending at ports at the continuous volume. The disclosed embodiments include side-by-side recesses separated by a partition and a distal outer-surface configuration adjacent the suction inlet port, such as a radially projecting protuberance or an inflatable element, to reduce or prevent suction-port blockage and occlusion.
The discussion also describes a tracheal tube where suction, rinsing, venting, cuff inflation, and multiple ports are integrated, and example operation sequences in which venting is used intermittently and/or venting is associated with CO2 measurement during suctioning and rinsing. The independent claims further encompass a ventilation system with a controller and a ventilation method using the same tube structure and corresponding delivery, suctioning, and venting through separate ports outside the cuff.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims include three independent claim sets directed to the tracheal tube structure, a ventilation system, and a ventilation method. Across the independent claims, the inventive features are the continuous subglottal volume defined by the cuff, at least three additional lumens ending in separate ports outside the cuff, and distinct functional separation among liquid delivery, suctioning, and venting.
Continuous subglottal continuous volume between cuff and vocal cords
A cuff mounted at a distal end of the tracheal tube is located in the subglottal region, and a cuff inflation lumen inflates the cuff to form a continuous volume in the subglottal region extending from the cuff to the vocal cords.
Separate lumens ending in separate ports outside any cuff for rinsing, suctioning, and venting
At least three additional lumens, other than the main lumen and the cuff inflation lumen, are configured for delivering liquid to the continuous volume, suctioning liquid from the continuous volume, and venting the continuous volume, where each ends with a port at the continuous volume and outside any cuff; the rinsing port, suctioning port, and venting port are separated from each other, and the lumens that end with those ports are separated from each other.
Controller performing delivery, suctioning, and venting via at least three additional lumens
A controller is configured for performing, via the at least three additional lumens, delivery of liquid to the continuous volume, suctioning of liquid from the continuous volume, and venting the continuous volume, with each of the at least three additional lumens ending with a port at the continuous volume and outside any cuff.
Selective connection of one additional lumen to suction or liquid source
A controller selectively connects a proximal end of one of the at least three additional lumens to either a suction source or a liquid source.
Selective connection of one additional lumen to atmosphere or an analyzing device for leaked air composition
An analyzing device analyzes the composition of air leaking from the lungs into a subglottal region, and the controller selectively connects a proximal end of one additional lumen to the atmosphere or the analyzing device such that a port within a volume receives the leaking air.
Responsive analysis based on flow measurement during suction
The controller is configured to measure flow during suction and to connect the proximal end of one additional lumen to an analyzing device responsively to the measured flow.
Terminating analysis and stopping delivery before suctioning
The controller is configured to end the analysis and stop delivering the liquid before suctioning the liquid.
Vent/delivery/suction functional separation across different additional lumens
Venting is performed via a venting port via a first additional lumen, while delivery of liquid is via a rinsing port and suctioning of liquid is via suctioning ports via other additional lumens, with the ports separated from each other.
Method of ventilation using separate ports for delivering liquid, suctioning liquid, and venting
A method of ventilation through a trachea includes introducing a tracheal tube with the main lumen, the distal cuff forming the continuous subglottal volume, a cuff inflation lumen, and at least three additional lumens; the proximal end is connected to a mechanical ventilator to deliver a breathing gas into a lung; via the at least three additional lumens the method includes delivering liquid to the continuous volume, suctioning of liquid from the continuous volume, and venting the continuous volume through separate ports outside the cuff.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on a tracheal tube in which a distal cuff and cuff inflation lumen define a continuous subglottal volume extending from the cuff to the vocal cords, combined with at least three additional lumens ending in separate ports outside the cuff. The independent claims further require separation of the rinsing port, suctioning port, and venting port, and in the system and method forms include a controller or corresponding method steps to deliver liquid, suction liquid, and vent the continuous volume via those separated lumens.
Stated Advantages
Reduces or prevents suction-port blockage and occlusion caused by tissue or the cuff under suction conditions.
Allows CO2 or leak analysis through the venting lumen.
Supports intermittent venting during suctioning and rinsing.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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