# US 8,783,255 B2 · Medical device tube having suction lumen and an associated suctioning system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,255 B2 - Document ID: US8783255B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/847,795 - Filed: 2010-07-30 - Published: 2012-02-02 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-30 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Seamus Maguire; Lockett E. Wood; Brian Ledwith - Inventors: Seamus Maguire; Lockett E. Wood; Brian Ledwith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783255B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0463: {combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections} - A61M 16/0003: {Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure} - A61M 16/04: Tracheal tubes (catheters in general A61M25/00) - A61M 16/0443: {Special cuff-wall materials (A61M16/0481, A61M16/0422 take precedence)} - A61M 16/0479: {above the cuff, e.g. giving access to the upper trachea} - A61M 16/0486: {Multi-lumen tracheal tubes} - A61M 16/0434: {Cuffs} - A61M 16/0858: {Pressure sampling ports} - A61M 2016/0027: {pressure meter} - A61M 2205/18: with alarm - A61M 2205/3317: Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means - A61M 2205/3331: Pressure; Flow - A61M 2205/3337: Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump - A61M 2205/3368: Temperature - A61M 2205/502: User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards - A61M 2205/581: by audible feedback - A61M 2205/583: by visual feedback - A61M 2205/6054: Magnetic identification systems - A61M 2205/6072: Bar codes - A61M 2205/70: with testing or calibration facilities - A61M 2209/06: Packaging for specific medical equipment - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Various embodiments of a tracheal tube having a suction lumen are provided. For example, the suction lumen may be associated with two spaced apart pressure transducers, whereby a pressure drop between the transducers indicates that the suction lumen is free of blockages and a characteristic lack of pressure drop and/or particular pressure curve is indicative of a blockage. In addition, embodiments may include a tracheal tube with sensors configured to sense a buildup of secretions. The sensors may be located proximate to an opening in the suction lumen. In other embodiments, a blockage-clearing system for a suction lumen may be provided that blows air into the suction lumen to clear blockages. In particular, in certain embodiments, the blockage-clearing system may operate to create its own pressurized air source by utilizing the pressure change created in the suction line by a blockage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a tracheal tube having a proximal end and a distal end configured to be inserted into a patient airway; a suction lumen associated with the tracheal tube and terminating in an opening that is proximal to an inflatable cuff; a vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction lumen; a gas reservoir configured to be in reversible fluid communication with the suction lumen via a valve; and a movable member configured to move in a first direction in response to negative pressure in the suction lumen such that air is drawn into the gas reservoir, wherein when the negative pressure in the suction lumen reaches a threshold, the valve opens and the air in the gas reservoir is pushed into the suction lumen by the movable member moving in a second direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the movable member comprises a deformable membrane, a spring, or a piston. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable member moves towards the suction lumen to draw air into the gas reservoir. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable member moves away from the suction lumen to push air into the suction lumen. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a spring force in the movable member controls movement in the first direction and the second direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, comprising a flap disposed between the suction lumen and the moveable member, wherein the flap provides a barrier between the suction lumen and the moveable member when in a closed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the flap moves in the first direction in response to negative pressure in the suction lumen. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein movement of the moveable member in the first direction opens a one-way valve to enable a flow of the air into the gas reservoir. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the one-way valve moves to a closed position when the valve opens such that the one-way valve blocks a flow of gas into the gas reservoir. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable member is disposed within a portion of the gas reservoir. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the valve moves toward the suction lumen when open such that the valve blocks fluid communication between the vacuum source and the suction lumen. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the gas reservoir is configured to pressurize the air.