Multi-cuffed endotracheal tubes
AssigneesUniversity of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Upmc
InventorsCarl H. Snyderman, Nikki Cwalina, Brinden Elton, Maxwell Baxter, Garrett N. Coyan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are endotracheal tubes that have multiple inflatable cuffs to help form a seal for ventilation, to reduce unwanted migration of the tube relative to the patient, reduce focalized pressure from a single cuff, and to help prevent aspiration of materials between the outside of the tube and the tracheal walls. Some devices include first and second distal cuffs for placement within the trachea and a proximal third cuff for blocking the entrance to the trachea. The cuffs can include ridges or textures to enhance sealing. The device can also include inflation channels, vacuum channels, and pressure sensors.
Claims11
An endotracheal tube comprising:
- a tubular portion;
- a proximal adaptor at a proximal end of the tubular portion;
- a distal opening at or adjacent to a distal end of the tubular portion;
- a first inflatable cuff positioned around the tubular portion and a second inflatable cuff positioned around the tubular portion proximal to the first cuff, wherein the first and second cuffs are configured to contact an inner wall of a patient's trachea when the endotracheal tube is inserted into the trachea and the first and second cuffs are inflated, such that the first and second cuffs resist migration of the endotracheal tube relative to the trachea and block aspiration between the tubular portion and an inner wall of the trachea;
- and
- a third inflatable cuff positioned around the tubular portion proximal to the second cuff, wherein the third cuff is larger in diameter than the first and second cuffs when inflated, and wherein the third cuff is configured to be positioned adjacent to the patient's epiglottis to block the entrance to the trachea.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.