Patent ID: 6109259
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
An adapter assembly for connection to a proximal end of an endotracheal tube, comprising:a main cylindrical tube having a first end, a second end, a side wall and a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end is adapted to be coupled to a ventilator;a first connector tube having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the first connector tube is coupled to a first side of the side wall of the main cylindrical tube such that the longitudinal axis of the first connector tube is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main cylindrical tube, and wherein the second end of the first connector tube is adapted to be coupled to an endotracheal tube;a second connector tube having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, and an inside diameter, wherein the first end of the second connector tube is immoveably coupled to a second side of the side wall of the main cylindrical tube opposite the first side of the main cylindrical tube such that the longitudinal axis of the second connector tube is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main cylindrical tube and substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first connector tube;a first leg tube having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the first leg tube is immoveably attached to the second end of the second connector tube such that the longitudinal axis of the first leg is offset at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second connector tube;a second leg tube having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of the second leg tube is immoveably attached to the second end of the second connector tube such that the longitudinal axis of the second leg is offset at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second connector tube;a gas delivery catheter having a second diameter, wherein the gas delivery catheter is operatively coupled to the second end of the first leg tube for selective movement into and out of the second connector tube from the first leg tube, and wherein the gas delivery catheter is selectively moveable between a first position in which at least a portion of the gas delivery catheter is disposed within the second connector tube and a standby position in which substantially no portion of the gas delivery catheter is disposed within the second connector tube; anda suction catheter having a third diameter, wherein the suction catheter is operatively coupled to the second end of the second leg tube for selective movement into and out of the second connector tube from the second leg tube, and wherein the suction catheter is selectively moveable between a first position in which at least a portion of the suction catheter is disposed within the second connector tube and a standby position in which substantially no portion of the suction catheter is disposed within the second connector tube,wherein the inside diameter of the second connector tube is less than the first diameter of the gas delivery catheter and the second diameter of the suction catheter combined, so that only one of the gas delivery catheter and the suction catheter is capable of being located within the second connector tube at any one time because the one of the gas delivery catheter and the suction catheter located within the second connector tube substantially blocks the other of the gas delivery catheter and the suction catheter from entering the second connector tube.