Patent ID: 8157919
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for removing biofilm from an interior wall of an endotracheal tube, comprising: providing a non-inflatable, mechanically-actuated cleaning device configured to remove biofilm from an interior wall of an endotracheal tube, wherein the endotracheal tube is inserted into a native airway of a patient and coupled to an external ventilator; decoupling the endotracheal tube from the external ventilator; inserting the distal end of the cleaning device into the endotracheal tube while the scaffold is in a radially-collapsed position; providing a visualization element configured to capture images of an interior of the endotracheal tube; advancing the visualization element through a lumen of the elongate body of the cleaning device such that a distal end of the visualization element engages a distal tip of the cleaning device, wherein the distal tip of the cleaning device comprises a viewing window, wherein the cleaning device comprises a retention assembly configured to provide a static backward force on the visualization element within the lumen of the elongate body; mechanically actuating the scaffold using said actuation assembly to expand said scaffold from the radially-collapsed position to a radially-expanded position, thereby expanding the outer sleeve to form a generally smooth removal member configured to contact and remove biofilm from the interior wall of the endotracheal tube; withdrawing the cleaning device from the endotracheal tube while generally maintaining contact between the removal member and biofilm to dislodge at least a portion of said biofilm; and removing said cleaning device from the patient, thereby removing biofilm from the endotracheal tube.