BRONCHOASPIRATION TUBE HAVING SOFT AND HARD PORTIONS

Abstract: A Bronchoaspiration tube for removing secretions from the tracheal tubes and from the upper portion of the respiratory tract, including a tubular element (1) provided with at least two portions or regions (2, 3) having different hardness values.

Description: BRONCHOASPIRATION TUBE HAVING SOFT AND HARD PORTIONS Technical Field The present invention relates to a bronchoaspiration tube for removing secretions from tracheal tubes and from the upper portion of the respiratory tract. Background Art Bronchoaspiration tubes are conventionally used to remove secretions from the tracheal tubes and from the upper portion of the respiratory tract, such as the trachea and the bronchi, and usually make contact with the tissues of the respiratory tract. Because of the delicate and sensitive nature of the tissues with which the bronchoaspiration tube makes contact, the tube must be made of a relatively soft tubular element, so as to minimize the risk of traumas; however, at the same time a rigid tube facilitates cleaning operations and in any case increases maneuverability. Tubes with different hardness values are currently commercially available, since each manufacturer has chosen a material by taking into account the costs, benefits, and advantages offered by said material. Accordingly, it is evident that the choice of the material currently in use is the result of a compromise between the two contrasting requirements, i.e., the need to have a relatively rigid tubular element in order to have easy maneuverability and the need to have instead a soft tubular element to prevent traumas due to contact with the involved tissues. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The aim of the invention is to solve the above problem by providing a bronchoaspiration tube which allows to optimize performance as regards both maneuverability and nontraumaticity. Within the scope of this aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide a bronchoaspiration tube which, while combining the typical advantages of rigid materials and of soft materials, can be manufactured with the continuous production technologies required to limit production costs. Within the scope of this aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide a bronchoaspiration tube which, by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use. Another object of the present invention is to provide a bronchoaspiration tube which can be produced by continuous extrusion and has costs fully similar to those of conventional products, which however do not have the same functional advantages. This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a bronchoaspiration tube for removing secretions from tracheal tubes and from the upper portion of the respiratory tract, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a tubular element provided with at least two portions or regions having different hardness values. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a bronchoaspiration tube for removing secretions from tracheal tubes and from the upper portion of the respiratory tract, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a front view of the tubular element of the tube according to the present invention; figure 2 is a sectional view of the tubular element, illustrating the end portion thereof made of soft material. WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to the above figures, the bronchoaspiration tube for removing secretions from tracheal tubes and from the upper portion of the respiratory tract is constituted by a tubular element, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, which is provided by continuous extrusion of two different materials, so as to obtain, on the tubular element, a first portion or region 2 made of relatively soft material and a second portion in the region 3 made of relatively rigid material. Advantageously, the portion 2, which is made of relatively soft material, corresponds to the penetration end, so that the tube, despite being rigid because the second portion 3 is rigid and therefore allows easy maneuverability and easier cleaning, has a tip made of soft material, so that absolute nontraumaticity with respect to the various tissues is ensured. The t ubul ar e l ement 1 i s obt ai ned by c ont i nuo u s ext rusio n o f two di f f e re nt and mut ua l l y c hemi c a l ly compatible elements , so that it is possible to provide the tubular element with the softer region at the tip without thereby substantially altering production methods. From the above description it is therefore evident that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects; in particular, the fact is stressed that the combination of regions having different hardness values, obtained from an extrusion with two materials, allows to provide a bronchoaspiration tube having considerably improved characteristics with respect to the solutions of the prior art, which necessarily had to resort to compromise choices. In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A bronchoaspiration tube for removing secretions from tracheal tubes and from the upper portion of the respiratory tract, characterized in that it comprises a tubular element provided with at least two portions or regions having different hardness values. 2. A bronchoaspiration tube according to claim 1, characterized in that said tubular element is formed by continuous extrusion of two materials. 3. A bronchoaspiration tube according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a soft region and a relatively rigid region rigidly coupled to each other. 4. A bronchoaspiration tube according to claim 3, characterized in that said relatively soft region is provided at the insertion ends of said tubular element.

Inventors: BERGAMASCHI PAOLO, GIBERTONI LUCIO, BERGAMASCHI, PAOLO, GIBERTONI, LUCIO
Applicants: BERGAMASCHI PAOLO, GIBERTONI LUCIO, MALLINCKRODT MEDICAL INC, BERGAMASCHI, PAOLO, GIBERTONI, LUCIO, MALLINCKRODT MEDICAL, INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A61M5
IPC codes: A61M1, A61M16, A61M25