Patent ID: 6494208
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
An Endotracheal Tube Cleaning Apparatus to be used with an endotracheal tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and an interior wall structure defining a lumen therethrough; said endotracheal tube cleaning apparatus comprising:an elongate tubular member, said elongate tubular member having a distal end structured to extend into the endotracheal tube, and a cleaning assembly comprising: a material bladder coupled to said elongate tubular member and structured to be inflated to a diameter substantially equivalent to at least approximately a diameter of the interior wall surface of the endotracheal tube, an inflation channel coupled in fluid flow communication with said material bladder and structured to direct an inflation fluid into said material bladder, and an exterior abrasive surface disposed at least partially on said material bladder and structured to substantially conform to an exterior surface of said material bladder, at least upon inflation thereof, and thereby affirmatively engage the interior wall surface of the endotracheal tube, under an outward, inflated pressure of said material bladder, and apply abrasive cleaning pressure to the interior wall surface of the endotracheal tube upon reciprocating movement of the elongate tubular member within the endotracheal tube.