Patent ID: 6450164
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An endotracheal tube pressure monitoring system comprising:a. an endotracheal tube having an open distal end, an opposing open proximal end, and a major lumen extending within the tube from the proximal end to the distal end, the distal end of the tube in fluid communication with a trachea of a patient; b. at least one pressure line in fluid communication with the major lumen of the endotracheal tube; c. a purging subsystem in fluid communication with at least one pressure line; and d. a pressure monitoring subsystem in operative communication with each respective pressure line, the pressure monitoring subsystem having means to monitor the pressure of fluid within each respective pressure line, wherein, for each pressure line in fluid communication with the purging subsystem, the pressure monitoring subsystem generates a response signal after a first predetermined time period in which pressure within the pressure line with which the purging subsystem is in fluid communication remains substantially constant, and wherein the purging subsystem is responsive to the response signal of the pressure monitoring subsystem to supply a pressurized fluid to the pressure line with which the purging subsystem is in fluid communication for a second predetermined time period after generation of the response signal.