Endotracheal tube and intubation system including same
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9555205-B2
Publication Date
2017-01-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
An endotracheal tube for mechanically ventilating patients is disclosed. The endotracheal tube comprises a distal end for insertion into the patient's airway, past the vocal chords, through the subglottal region, and into the patient's lung; and a proximal end for connection to a mechanical ventilator. The endotracheal tube further comprises a cuff at the distal end of the endotracheal tube to be located in the subglottal region of the patient below the vocal chords, an inflating lumen for inflating the cuff, and a suction lumen having a suction inlet port leading from the outer surface of the endotracheal tube, and to be located in the subglottal region, for evacuating secretions and/or rinsing fluid from the subglottal region during the mechanical ventilation of the patient. The distal end of the endotracheal tube is formed with an outer surface configuration effective to prevent blockage of the suction inlet port by the cuff or by tracheal mucosal tissue of the patient during a negative pressure condition in the suction lumen.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endotracheal tube for mechanically ventilating patients, including a main lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end for insertion into the patient’s airway. A cuff is located at the distal end in the subglottal region below the vocal chords, and a cuff inflating lumen is integrally formed in the tube wall to create, within the subglottal region, a continuous space between the tube wall and the airway extending from the vocal cords to a side of the cuff facing the vocal chords.
The tube further includes at least three additional lumens integrally formed in the tube wall, each extending from the proximal end to ports at the created continuous space between the cuff and vocal chords. The at least three additional lumens are arranged with respect to a periphery of the main lumen such that one additional lumen is located at one side of the main lumen and two additional lumens are located generally opposite to the one side.
These additional lumens are configured to circulate rinsing fluid through the continuous space above the cuff, evacuate secretions and/or rinsing fluid from the continuous space during mechanical ventilation, and vent the continuous space to the atmosphere. In this configuration, a suction lumen is among the additional lumens for evacuating secretions and/or rinsing fluid.
To address suction inlet port blockage during negative pressure, the outer surface of the tube wall is formed with a recess extending from a suction inlet port toward the proximal end, and the suction inlet port is formed in the recess such that the outer surface adjacent to the recess projects radially outwardly of the recess to prevent blockage.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims. The main coverage is an endotracheal tube and a method of intubating a subject that use a cuff inflating lumen to create a continuous subglottal space and use at least three additional integrally formed lumens to circulate rinsing fluid, evacuate secretions and/or rinsing fluid during mechanical ventilation, and vent the continuous space to the atmosphere, with a suction inlet port recess configuration to prevent blockage.
Multipurpose subglottal-space lumens around a cuff
An endotracheal tube comprising a main lumen for delivering breathing gas; a cuff at a distal end configured to be located in the subglottal region below the vocal chords; a cuff inflating lumen integrally formed in a wall to create a continuous space within the subglottal region between the tube wall and the airway extending from the vocal cords to a side of the cuff facing the vocal chords; and at least three additional lumens integrally formed in the wall and extending from the proximal end to respective ports at the created continuous space, configured to circulate rinsing fluid, evacuate secretions and/or rinsing fluid during mechanical ventilation, and vent the created continuous space to the atmosphere, arranged such that one additional lumen is at one side of the main lumen and two additional lumens are generally opposite.
Recess-based suction inlet port blockage prevention
The tube where the at least three additional lumens comprise a suction lumen integrally formed in the wall, the outer surface of the wall is formed with a recess extending from a suction inlet port to the proximal end, and the suction inlet port is formed in the recess such that the outer surface adjacent to the recess projects radially outwardly of the recess to prevent blockage of the suction inlet port.
Intubation method using cuff inflation and multipurpose lumens
A method of intubating a subject comprising introducing an endotracheal tube into the patient’s airway, using the cuff inflating lumen for inflating the cuff, and using the at least three additional lumens for circulating a rinsing fluid through the created continuous space above the cuff, evacuating by a suction source secretions and/or rinsing fluid from the created continuous space during mechanical ventilation, and venting the created continuous space to the atmosphere, wherein the additional lumens are arranged such that one additional lumen is located at one side of the main lumen and two additional lumens are generally opposite.
Recess-based suction inlet port blockage prevention in the intubation method
The intubation method where the at least three additional lumens comprise a suction lumen, the outer surface of the wall is formed with a recess extending from a suction inlet port to the proximal end, the suction inlet port is formed in the recess such that the outer surface adjacent to the recess projects radially outwardly of the recess to prevent blockage of the suction inlet port.
Across the two independent claims, the coverage is directed to an endotracheal tube and an intubation method that use a cuff inflating lumen and at least three additional integrally formed lumens to create, manage, and vent a continuous subglottal space above a cuff, while supporting rinsing-fluid circulation and suction evacuation of secretions and/or rinsing fluid, with suction inlet ports formed in recesses to prevent blockage.
Stated Advantages
Reduces suction inlet port blockage during negative pressure.
Prevents underpressure/adhesion in the subglottal region by venting the created continuous space to the atmosphere using an integrally formed venting lumen.
Documented Applications
Endotracheal tube and intubation system for mechanically ventilated patients, including evacuation of secretions and/or rinsing fluid from a subglottal space above a distal cuff and venting to the atmosphere.
Optional CO2/analyte monitoring using venting/suction operations.
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