Patent ID: 6315739
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
Apparatus providing the intratracheal pressure of a subject existing at a distal end of an endotracheal tube, said endotracheal tube being positionable in the trachea of the subject with the distal end located in the trachea and a proximal end of the endotracheal tube adjacent the mouth of the subject, said apparatus comprising:an infusion conduit having a first end and an open second end, said infusion conduit extending along the endotracheal tube to position said first end of said infusion conduit to exit from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube and to terminate the open second end of said infusion conduit at the distal end of the endotracheal tube and position the second end in proximity with the distal end of the endotracheal tube, the first end of said infusion conduit being connectable to a pressure sensing unit; anda fluid source coupled to the first end of said infusion conduit for flowing a fluid through said infusion conduit for discharge from said second end of said infusion conduit, said fluid source providing a fluid flow that maintains the patency of the infusion conduit and establishes and maintains a column of fluid in the infusion conduit that conveys the pressure existing at the second end of said infusion conduit to said first end of said infusion conduit to allow an indication of the pressure existing at the second end of the infusion conduit, and hence the intratracheal pressure of the subject, to be provided at the first end of said infusion conduit, the diameter of said infusion conduit being small as compared to that of the endotracheal tube vet sufficient to accurately convey the pressure at said second end to first second end of said infusion conduit.