Tracheal tube apparatus and methods
AssigneeSmart Bridge Medical, Inc.
InventorsKay L. Fuller, Lisa M. Carver, Matthew T. Hill, Michael M. Hotta, Laura G. Kruger, Alexander C. Waselewski
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Abstract
A tracheal tube includes an inner cannula and an outer cannula that are connected with a threaded connection able to swivel, and wherein the inner cannula is also connected to an elbow adaptor through a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connection. Both the threaded and the BNC connects provide more secure connections of the corresponding components and are able to withstand greater amounts of force exerted on them without becoming detached from each other. The elbow adapter may further be coupled to a pressure release valve that will alleviate pressure buildup within the tracheal tube.
Claims13
A method of using a tracheal tube within a patient, the method comprising:
- inserting an outer cannula into a tracheal opening in the patient, wherein the outer cannula has an outer cannula proximal end and an outer cannula distal end, the outer cannula distal end having outer cannula threads;
- inserting an inner cannula into the outer cannula, wherein the inner cannula has an inner cannula proximal end and an inner cannula distal end, the inner cannula distal end having inner cannula threads for mating with the outer cannula threads;
- coupling an elbow adapter to the inner cannula through a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connection, wherein the elbow adapter is coupled to a pressure release valve and wherein the elbow adapter is coupled to a mechanical ventilator through an elbow adapter-ventilator connection;
- and
- operating the tracheal tube such that when a predetermined pressure level is exceeded, the pressure release valve will open and release pressure within the tracheal tube until the pressure is at or below the predetermined pressure level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.