Endotracheal tube cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus to be used with an endotracheal tube and including an elongate tubular member that extends into the endotracheal tube. A cleaning assembly is provided at a distal end of the elongate tubular member and is radially expandable to engage the interior wall of the endotracheal tube for cleaning thereof by an irregular configuration on an exterior surface that achieves an effective cleaning engagement, as well as a fluid impervious bladder portion to provide an effective seal that prevents fluid seepage during cleaning withdrawl. A ventilator coupling is further provided and is connected to the endotracheal tube, a first inlet port of the ventilator coupling being coupled to a ventilator assembly to supply air to a patient, and a second inlet port of the ventilator coupling being structured to receive the elongate tubular member there through into the endotracheal tube. Also, a bypass coupling assembly is connected between the channel of the elongate tubular member and the ventilator assembly so as to automatically direct air from the ventilator assembly into the channel of the elongate tubular member, and out the distal end of the channel, upon occlusion of a flow of the air through the endotracheal tube at a point of the endotracheal tube upstream of the distal end of the channel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.