Surface energy assisted fluid transport system

A system comprising:

• elongated first and second tubes, each having distal and proximal ends, the first tube attached to the second tube, the first and second tubes sized and shaped to be inserted together within a subject's trachea such that the distal end of the second tube is positioned in one of the subject's bronchial tubes when the distal end of the first tube is positioned in the subject's trachea;
• a first seal, at or near the distal end of the first tube, the first seal extending around the first and second tubes;
• a second seal, at or near the distal end of the second tube, the second seal extending around the second tube;
• at least one wicking fluid pickup port, positioned, with respect to the first and second tubes, more distal than at least one of the first and second seals;
• and
• at least one lumen, coupled in fluid communication with the at least one wicking fluid pickup port and extending toward the proximal end of at least one of the first and second tubes.

A system for use with a tracheal tube having distal and proximal ends and a first lumen therebetween, the tracheal tube having an inflatable cuff located at or near the distal end of the tracheal tube, the system comprising:

• an inner tube, having distal and proximal ends, the inner tube sized and shaped to be inserted into the first lumen of the tracheal tube, the inner tube including a second lumen between its distal and proximal ends, the second lumen sized and shaped to provide ventilation airflow when the proximal end of the inner tube is coupled to a mechanical ventilator;
• at least one wicking fluid pickup port, located at or near the distal end of the inner tube such that, when the inner tube is inserted into the first lumen of the tracheal tube, the at least one wicking fluid pickup port is located at or near the distal end of the tracheal tube such that the at least one wicking fluid pickup port is more distal than the inflatable cuff;
• and
• at least one third lumen, carried by the inner tube, the at least one third lumen coupled in fluid communication with the at least one wicking fluid pickup port and extending to or near the proximal end of the inner tube.

A method comprising:

• inserting a tube into a subject's trachea;
• obstructing airflow at a first location outside of the tube and inside the trachea;
• ventilating at least one of the subject's lungs through the tube;
• wicking fluid, at a location that is more distal than the first location;
• and
• drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject.

A method comprising:

• inserting an outer cannula of a two-piece inflatable cuff tracheal tube into a subject's trachea;
• inflating the cuff to obstruct airflow between the outer cannula and the trachea;
• inserting an inner cannula of the two-piece inflatable cuff tracheal tube into the outer cannula;
• ventilating at least one of the subject's lungs through the inner cannula;
• wicking fluid, using a wicking fluid pickup portal carried by the inner cannula, at a location that is more distal than the cuff;
• and
• drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject.

A system comprising:

• a fluid transport conduit having first and second ends;
• at least one wicking fluid pickup port, located at or near the first end of the fluid transport conduit, the at least one wicking fluid pickup port configured for wicking a fluid into the fluid transport conduit;
• and
• a pump, located at or near the second end of the fluid transport conduit, the pump being in fluid communication with the fluid transport conduit, the pump configured for providing a pressure that transports the wicked-in fluid through the fluid transport conduit.

A drill bit comprising:

• an elongated body, including proximal and distal ends;
• at least one cutting channel, extending approximately between the proximal and distal ends;
• and
• at least one fluid transport channel, extending approximately between the proximal and distal ends, the at least one fluid transport channel configured to wick a lubricant toward the distal end.