# US 11,998,699 B2 · Tracheal tube apparatus and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,699 B2 - Document ID: US11998699B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/856,927 - Filed: 2022-07-01 - Published: 2023-03-02 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-05-04 - Assignees: Smart Bridge Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Smart Bridge Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Kay L. Fuller; Lisa M. Carver; Matthew T. Hill; Michael M. Hotta; Laura G. Kruger; Alexander C. Waselewski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998699B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0434: {Cuffs} - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 16/04: Tracheal tubes (catheters in general A61M25/00) - A61M 16/0459: {one cuff behind another} - A61M 16/0463: {combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections} - A61M 16/0465: {Tracheostomy tubes; Devices for performing a tracheostomy; Accessories therefor, e.g. masks, filters} - A61M 16/0488: {Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes (guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02)} - A61M 16/0497: {Tube stabilizer} - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A61M 16/209: {Relief valves} - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - A61M 2205/584: having a color code - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A tracheal tube (e.g., an endotracheal tube) includes an inserting cannula (that may be able to swivel), and wherein the inserting cannula is connected to an elbow adaptor through a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connection. The BNC connection may provide more secure connection of the corresponding components and may be 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tracheal tube assembly comprising: an outer cannula having an outer cannula proximal end and an outer cannula distal end, the outer cannula distal end having outer cannula threads; an inner cannula configured to insert into the outer cannula and having an inner cannula proximal end and an inner cannula distal end, the inner cannula distal end having an inner cannula coupler for mating with the outer cannula threads, wherein at least a portion of one or both of the inner cannula and outer cannula are transparent and configured to indicate by a color change that the inner cannula and outer cannula are connected; an elbow adapter configured to couple the inner cannula with a mechanical ventilator for providing air to a patient; a pressure release valve on the elbow adapter configured to mitigate high airway pressures that may cause disconnections or lung damage; and a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector configured to secure the elbow adapter to the inner cannula. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 1, further comprising an anti-microbial agent coating on one or more of portions of the tracheal tube assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 2, wherein the anti-microbial agent coating is on one or more of: the outer cannula, the inner cannula and the elbow adapter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 2, wherein the anti-microbial coating is one or more of: a sulfadiazine compound, a chlorhexidine compound, a silver coatings, and a gentian violet. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hydrophobic coating on an internal wall of one or both of the inner cannula and the outer cannula. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 1, further comprising a suctioning port for manual removal of moisture or secretions from the assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 1, further comprising a locking region of the BNC connector that is transparent or translucent and is configured to change color when the BNC connector is engaged with the inner cannula. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure release valve comprising a casing with an aperture, a spring, and a pressure release valve spring disc. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure release valve comprises a variety of selectable pressure release settings. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressure release valve is coupled to the elbow adapter through a pressure release valve-elbow adapter threaded connection. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the BNC connector of the elbow adapter is configured to connect to the inner cannula with a connection strength of greater or equal to 45 N. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of laterally offset cuffs on the inner cannula configured to seal and secure the inner cannula within the patient's trachea. ### Claim 13 A tracheal tube assembly comprising: an outer cannula having an outer cannula proximal end and an outer cannula distal end, the outer cannula distal end having outer cannula threads; an inner cannula configured to insert into the outer cannula and having an inner cannula proximal end and an inner cannula distal end, the inner cannula distal end having an inner cannula coupler for mating with the outer cannula threads, wherein at least a portion of one or both of the inner cannula and outer cannula are transparent and configured to indicate by a color change that the inner cannula and outer cannula are connected; and an elbow adapter configured to couple the inner cannula with a mechanical ventilator for providing air to a patient; a pressure release valve on the elbow adapter configured to mitigate high airway pressures that may cause disconnections or lung damage; a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector configured to secure the elbow adapter to the inner cannula; and an air flow indicator in communication with the pressure release valve, configured to indicate when the elbow adapter should be replaced. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 13, wherein the air flow indicator indicates by movement that air is flowing through the pressure release valve. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 13, further comprising an anti-microbial agent on one or more portions of the tracheal tube assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 15, wherein the anti-microbial coating is one or more of: a sulfadiazine compound, a chlorhexidine compound, a silver coatings, and a gentian violet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 13, further comprising a suctioning port for manual removal of moisture or secretions from the assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 13, further comprising a locking region of the BNC connector that is transparent or translucent and is configured to change color when the BNC connector is engaged with the inner cannula. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The tracheal tube assembly of claim 13, wherein the pressure release valve comprises a variety of selectable pressure release settings. ### Claim 20 A tracheal tube assembly comprising: an outer cannula having an outer cannula proximal end and an outer cannula distal end, the outer cannula distal end having outer cannula threads; an inner cannula configured to insert into the outer cannula and having an inner cannula proximal end and an inner cannula distal end, the inner cannula distal end having an inner cannula coupler for mating with the outer cannula threads, wherein at least a portion of one or both of the inner cannula and outer cannula are transparent and configured to indicate by a color change that the inner cannula and outer cannula are connected; and an elbow adapter configured to couple the inner cannula with a mechanical ventilator for providing air to a patient; a pressure release valve on the elbow adapter configured to mitigate high airway pressures that may cause disconnections or lung damage; a Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector configured to secure the elbow adapter to the inner cannula; an anti-microbial agent on one or more regions of the tracheal tube assembly; a suction port for removal of moisture or secretions from the assembly; and an air flow indicator in communication with the pressure release valve, configured to indicate when the elbow adapter should be replaced.