Tube connector for ventilator system

A ventilator system, comprising:

• a ventilator, operable to alternately generate an oxygen-rich air flow and receive an oxygen-depleted air flow;
• a flow circuit, fluidically coupled with the ventilator to receive the oxygen-rich air flow from the ventilator and to provide the oxygen-depleted air flow to the ventilator;
• a tube connector, fluidically coupled with the flow circuit to receive the oxygen-rich air flow from the flow circuit and to provide the oxygen-depleted air flow to the flow circuit;
• and
• an endotracheal tube (ETT), fluidically coupled with the tube connector to receive the oxygen-rich air flow from the tube connector and to provide the oxygen-depleted air flow to the tube connector,
• wherein the tube connector comprises:
• a medial flange comprising a flat, plate-like structure;
• a circuit engagement portion, extending from the medial flange, mechanically engaged with the flow circuit, and comprising a hollow cylindrical structure that is frictionally inserted into a convergence tube of the flow circuit;
• an ETT insertion portion, extending from the medial flange in a direction opposite that of the circuit engagement portion, mechanically engaged with the ETT via a friction-fit, and comprising a tapered hollow cylindrical structure;
• a first engagement arm and a second engagement arm spaced apart from the ETT insertion portion, on opposite sides of the ETT insertion portion, such that respective gaps are defined between the first engagement arm and the ETT portion, and between the second engagement arm and the ETT insertion portion, wherein the ETT is positioned within the gaps;
• and
• a tightening strap, engaged with the first engagement arm and second engagement arms to urge the first engagement arm and the second engagement arm against the ETT such that the ETT is clamped between the first engagement arm and the ETT insertion portion and between the second engagement arm and the ETT insertion portion;
• wherein:
• a maximum dimension of the medial flange, on a plane perpendicular to a direction of air flow through the tube connector, is greater than a maximum distance, along the plane, between an outer peripheral extent of the first engagement arm and an outer peripheral extent of the second engagement arm;
• and
• each one of the first engagement arm and the second engagement arm is cantilevered, flexible, and configured to exert a radially inwardly directed pressure on the ETT when flexed and when the ETT insertion portion is within the ETT.

A method of assembling a ventilator system, the method comprising steps of:

• mechanically and fluidically coupling a flow circuit with a circuit engagement portion of a tube connector;
• mechanically and fluidically coupling an endotracheal tube (ETT) with an ETT insertion portion of the tube connector such that a tapered hollow cylindrical structure of the ETT insertion portion is secured within the ETT via a friction fit, and such that the ETT is positioned between the ETT insertion portion and a pair of engagement arms of the tube connector, wherein the pair of engagement arms are spaced apart from the ETT insertion portion on opposite sides of the ETT insertion portion;
• and
• flexing the pair of engagement arms against the ETT via a tightening strap engaged with the pair of engagement arms such that the ETT is clamped between the pair of engagement arms and the ETT insertion portion;
• wherein:
• the tube connector comprises a medial flange comprising a flat, plate-like structure;
• the ETT insertion portion and the pair of engagement arms extend from the medial flange in the same direction;
• a maximum dimension of the medial flange, on a plane perpendicular to a direction of air flow through the tube connector, is greater than a maximum distance, along the plane, between outer peripheral extents of the pair of engagement arms;
• and
• each engagement arm of the pair of engagement arms is cantilevered, flexible, and configured to exert a radially inwardly directed pressure on the ETT when flexed and when the ETT insertion portion is within the ETT.