Visual pressure indicator for endotracheal cuff

Abstract

The invention comprises a visual pressure indicator for endotracheal cuffs. More particularly, the indicator of the invention comprises an indicating diaphragm which is sealingly positioned within a body by means of a cap. A hole is positioned within the cap to allow protrusion of an indicating stem of the diaphragm. The air space between the diaphragm and the body is connected in fluid communication with the cuff supply tube by means of passageways. A syringe-operable, one-way valve is positioned within the body to allow filling of the endotracheal cuff with air by means of a syringe, and to prevent leakage of the air from the cuff once it is properly filled. The indicator of the invention is fitted to the end of the cuff supply tube, and a conventional syringe is fitted to the indicator. When the endotracheal tube is in position within the patient's trachea, the syringe is operated to force air into the endotracheal cuff via the one-way valve, cuff supply tube, and cuff supply channel. The indicating diaphragm of the indicator flexes as the pressure within the cuff increases. As this pressure increases, the indicating stem of the diaphragm increasingly protrudes from the hole in the cap affixed to the body of the indicator.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.