Assemblies and methods for detecting accidental extubation of a tube

An endotracheal tube assembly comprising:

• an endotracheal tube having a tube axis, an exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end for inserting into a trachea, the tube further comprising a visual indicator portion viewable from the exterior surface, the visual indicator portion being adjacent the proximal end of the endotracheal tube;
• an inflatable annular air cuff having a proximal end, a distal end, and inner and outer annular walls that extend between the proximal and distal ends and define an interior of the inflatable air cuff, wherein the air cuff is disposed around the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube such that the distal end of the air cuff is closer than the proximal end of the air cuff to the distal end of the endotracheal tube, the distal end of the air cuff being affixed to the endotracheal tube and the proximal end of the air cuff defining an opening between the inner and outer annular walls;
• an annular slider cuff having a slider axis, the slider cuff defining a first opening, a second opening, and a channel that extends between the first and second openings through the slider cuff, wherein the slider cuff is slidably disposed around the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube such that the slider axis is coaxial with the tube axis, the slider cuff being affixed to the proximal end of the air cuff such that the first opening of the slider cuff is in fluid communication with the opening of the air cuff;
• an air cuff tubing having a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal and distal ends of the air cuff, the tubing defining an interior, the distal end of the air cuff tubing being sealingly coupled to the second opening of the slider cuff such that the interior of the air cuff tubing is in fluid communication with the channel of the slider cuff, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the air cuff tubing is slidably disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube in a direction parallel to the tube axis;
• and
• a pointer coupled to the intermediate portion of the air cuff tubing and maintained a fixed distance from the slider cuff, the pointer being disposed in a first axial position relative to the visual indicator portion when the distal end of the endotracheal tube is in an acceptable position within the trachea,
• wherein axial movement of the slider cuff relative to the endotracheal tube, when the distal end of the endotracheal tube is in an acceptable position within the trachea, causes movement of the pointer in a direction that is parallel to the tube axis such that the pointer is in a second axial position that is spaced apart from the first axial position.