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US 9,579,012 B2Granted
Visualized endotracheal tube placement systems
AssigneeEndoclear LLC
InventorsBrad E. Vazales, Arthur Bertolero, Alan Davidner, Ken Watson, James M Gracy, Clifton P Colwell, Craig B. Berky, Dwight Morejohn, Dwayne Griffin, Richard Tefo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating insertion of an endotracheal tube and/or for verifying the position of the endotracheal tube within an airway of a patient with respect to an anatomical landmark of a patient are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating removal of debris from the distal airways of a patient under direct visualization are also disclosed.
Claims23
A visualization device for confirming proper positioning and placement of an endotracheal tube within a patient without requiring the use of a laryngoscope or bronchoscope, the device comprising:
- a visualization tube adapted to be inserted within an endotracheal tube, the visualization tube having a closed distal end, an open proximal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
- wherein the visualization tube is sized to extend at least to the distal end of the endotracheal tube;
- wherein the lumen of the visualization tube is sized and shaped to removably receive a visualization scope;
- wherein the closed distal end of the visualization tube comprises a window;
- wherein the visualization tube comprises at least one centering assembly mounted on an outer surface of the visualization tube, the at least one centering assembly comprising two or more flexible arms adapted to expand to conform to an inner wall of the endotracheal tube, thereby centering the visualization tube within the endotracheal tube;
- a coupling assembly adapted to couple to the endotracheal tube;
- and
- a scope retention assembly coupled to a proximal end of the visualization tube;
- wherein the scope retention assembly comprises a stretchable elastomeric sleeve having an open proximal end and an open distal end and a scope retention member attached to the open proximal end of the stretchable elastomeric sleeve, the scope retention member being adapted to interface with a locking member coupled to a visualization scope;
- wherein the open proximal end of the elastomeric sleeve is adapted to be stretched by pulling the scope retention member proximally to allow the scope retention member of the scope retention assembly to engage the locking member coupled to the visualization scope, thereby exerting a static force on the visualization scope in the direction of the closed distal end of the visualization tube upon release of the elastomeric sleeve,
- wherein the visualization tube is a separate component from the scope retention assembly.
8 more elements
A system for providing visualized confirmation of proper positioning and cleaning of an endotracheal tube within a patient, the system comprising:
- a visualization device adapted to provide visualized confirmation of proper positioning of an endotracheal tube within a patient, the visualization device comprising:
- a visualization tube adapted to be inserted within the endotracheal tube, the visualization tube having a closed distal end, an open proximal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
- wherein the lumen of the visualization tube is sized and shaped to removably receive a visualization scope;
- wherein the closed distal end of the visualization tube comprises a window;
- wherein the visualization tube comprises a plurality of centering assemblies spaced apart and mounted on an outer surface of the visualization tube, the plurality of centering assemblies each comprising two or more flexible wings adapted to expand to conform to an inner wall of the endotracheal tube at a location proximal to the closed distal end of the visualization tube, thereby centering the visualization tube within the endotracheal tube and preserving viewing of anatomical features beyond a distal tip of the endotracheal tube;
- and
- an endotracheal tube cleaning device configured to be inserted into an endotracheal tube of a patient, said endotracheal tube cleaning device comprising:
- an elongated member having a proximal end and a tip along its distal end, said elongated member comprising a visualization channel extending within its interior along at least a portion of a length of said elongated member, the visualization channel being sized and configured to receive the visualization scope;
- a non-inflatable, mechanically expandable structure positioned along the elongated member, said structure being adapted to selectively move between a radially-collapsed position and a radially-expanded position;
- and
- an actuation assembly coupled to the proximal end of the elongated member, the actuation assembly being configured to control the expansion and collapse of the expandable structure;
- wherein the one or more removal members of the endotracheal tube cleaning device are configured to engage an interior surface of an endotracheal tube when the expandable structure is in the radially-expanded position;
- and
- wherein the one or more removal members are configured to contact and remove debris collected on an interior surface of the endotracheal tube when said endotracheal tube cleaning device is moved relative to the endotracheal tube.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.