Patent ID: 6651666
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A variable endotracheal tube cuff pressure controller comprising:a) a positive pressure breathing unit which includes (1) an inspiratory port, (2) an expiratory port, and (3) a unit for moving breathing gas through the inspiratory port and through the expiratory port; b) an inspiratory tube c) an expiratory tube d) an endotracheal tube fluidically connected to said inspiratory tube and to said expiratory tube, said endotracheal tube including a wall; e) a cuff on said endotracheal tube, said cuff being located on said endotracheal tube to be interposed between a trachea of a patient and said endotracheal tube to control fluid flow through a pilot and cuff and to prevent fluid flow around said endotracheal tube; and f) a pressure control system which includes (1) a port in the wall of said endotracheal tube, the port in the wall of said endotracheal tube being located to be spaced from said cuff, (2) a moisture absorbing cover attached to the wall of said endotracheal tube adjacent to the port in the wall of said endotracheal tube, (3) a housing mounted on the wall of said endotracheal tube adjacent to the port in the wall of said endotracheal tube, the housing including (a) a first end fixed to the wall of said endotracheal tube adjacent to the port in the wall of said endotracheal tube, the first end including an inlet port that is fluidically connected to the port in the wall of said endotracheal tube, the moisture absorbing cover being interposed between the port in the wall of said endotracheal tube and the inlet port in the housing, and (b) a second end spaced from the first end of the housing of said pressure control system and which includes a rear port, the rear port being fluidically connected to the inlet port in the first end, (4) a one-way valve located in the housing and fluidically interposed between the inlet port and the rear port, the one-way valve including flow elements that permit flow from the inlet port to the rear port and which prevent flow from the rear port to the inlet port, (5) a first fluid conduit having a first end fluidically connected to the rear port of the housing and having a second end spaced from the first end, (6) a pressure manometer having (a) a translucent or transparent housing, (b) a first end fluidically connected to the second end of the first fluid conduit, and (c) a second end on the housing of the pressure manometer, the second end of the housing of the pressure manometer being in fluid communication with the first end of the housing of the pressure manometer, (7) a second fluid conduit having a first end fluidically connected to the second end of the housing of the pressure manometer and a second end spaced from the first end of the second fluid conduit, (8) a pilot balloon fluidically connected to the second end of the second fluid conduit, and (9) a third fluid conduit having a first end fluidically connected to the pilot balloon and a second end fluidically connected to said cuff on said endotracheal tube.