US 4,502,482 A · Endotracheal tube complex

Abstract

An endotracheal complex for insertion into the trachea of a patient, and wherein the trachea branches through the carina trachea distally into two bronchi, includes a tube which has a distal blunt and atraumatically shaped tip so as to restrain passage of the tip beyond the carina tracheae into the bronchi and to serve as an internal palpator to identify an anatomical reference point, and an inflatable cuff near the tip for preventing any air or air component other than oxygen emanating from the source of oxygen to pass to the bronchi. A removable introducer is disposed in the tube and has a bevelled end portion to facilitate insertion of the tube through the larynx into the trachea. After the endotracheal tube is inserted into the trachea of a patient, the bevelled end portion is removed by pulling on the introducer tube or stylet. The bevelled end portion collapses off the blunt end of the endotracheal tube and can be pulled through the endotracheal tube to be removed and discarded. The remaining blunt end of the endotracheal tube, from which oxygen is fed to the patient, is so designed so that it will slip past the carina trachea into either bronchus of the patient. There is also provided a suction tube which fits into the endotracheal tube and which has a distinct curve at its distal end as it emerges from the blunt end of the endotracheal tube so that it can be easily directed to slide down the left or right bronchus of the patient in order to aspirate fluids from the lung.

Claims27

Dependent claims

An endotracheal tube complex for insertion into the trachea of a patient, and wherein the trachea branches through the carina tracheae distally into two bronchi, said endotracheal complex having a proximal end for connection to a source of oxygen, comprising in combination

a tube having a blunt and atraumatically shaped distal tip so as to restrain passage of said tip beyond the carina tracheae into the bronchi, and to establish an anatomical reference point by internal palpation, said tube including a plurality of projections formed on the distal tip thereof and defining a plurality of notches therebetween,
an inflatable cuff disposed on said tube adjacent to said tip for closing off the space between the periphery of said tube and the trachea of the patient, thereby preventing any air or air component other than oxygen emanating from said source of oxygen to pass to the bronchi,
a removable introducer disposed in said tube having a bevelled end portion extending from the distal tip of said tube so as to form a smooth atraumatic connection therewith, to facilitate insertion of said tube through the larynx into the trachea, said bevelled end portion of said introducer having on its proximal side a plurality of projections substantially mating with said notches at the distal tip of said tube, so as to engage said bevelled end portion to said blunt tip of said endotracheal tube, said introducer including a filament having a length greater than said tube and extending therethrough so that said introducer may be removed from said tube by the withdrawal thereof, and
means for releasing the engagement of said bevelled end portion to the distal tip of said tube to permit removal of said introducer from said tube.

1 more element

A method of introducing an endotracheal tube into the trachea of a patient, comprising:

(a) introducing an endotracheal tube complex atraumatically into the trachea of a patient, said endotracheal tube complex including
a tube having a blunt and atraumatically shaped distal tip so as to restrain passage of said tip beyond the carina tracheae into the bronchi, and to establish an anatomical reference point by internal palpation, said tube including a plurality of projections formed on the distal tip thereof and defining a plurality of notches therebetween,
an inflatable cuff disposed on said tube adjacent to said tip for closing off the space between the periphery of said tube and the trachea of the patient, thereby preventing any air or air component other than oxygen emanating from said source of oxygen to pass to the bronchi,
a removable introducer disposed in said tube having a bevelled end portion extending from the distal tip of said tube so as to form a smooth atraumatic connection therewith, to facilitate insertion of said tube through the larynx into the trachea, said bevelled end portion of said introducer having on its proximal side a plurality of projections substantially mating with said notches at the distal tip of said tube, so as to engage said bevelled end portion to said blunt tip of said endotracheal tube, said introducer including a filament having a length greater than said tube and extending therethrough so that said introducer may be removed from said tube by the withdrawal thereof, and
means for releasing the engagement of said bevelled end portion to the distal tip of said tube to permit removal of said introducer from said tube,
(b) removing the removable introducer from said endotracheal tube,
(c) palpating the main carina of the trachea with the distal tip of said endotracheal tube thereby establishing an anatomical reference point for said tube, and
(d) withdrawing said endotracheal tube 3 to 5 centimeters from said anatomical reference point to a final placement point.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Endotracheal tube complex

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Endotracheal tube complex

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Abstract

Claims27