Abstract:
An endotracheal tube (ETT) system is provided. The ETT system includes a monitoring device and an ETT including at least one sensor disposed thereon. The at least one sensor is in operable communication with the monitoring device for detecting removal of the ETT from a patient.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Field of the Disclosure 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an endotracheal tube (ETT) system, and more particularly, to an ETT system including an ETT including a sensor at a proximal portion thereof and a monitoring device. 
         [0003]    Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    ETTs are used for airway management and patency for various medical situations. These particular patient treatment times usually are either chosen voluntarily (pending a major surgery) or in emergency conditions (e.g., an accident requiring establishment of an airway, or a code blue, where patient is in a compromised situation and in danger of losing his/her life). It is in these difficult conditions that a medical professional intubates the patient. 
         [0005]    Conventional ETT systems can include an ETT that is connected to or in operable communication with a monitoring unit that is configured to detect unintended extubation of the endotracheal tube from a patient, i.e., when a patient removes the tube. In such systems, the monitoring unit is configured to detect a change of a rate of airflow through the endotracheal tube, and, as a result of extubation, provide an alert to a medical professional indicating that the endotracheal tube has been removed. 
         [0006]    While such systems are satisfactory for detecting unintended extubation of the endotracheal tube from a patient, these systems require the medial professional to re-intubate the patient, which can be time consuming for the medical professional, traumatic to the patient, increase artificial ventilation time, and requires excessive use of restrictive methods, e.g., restraints. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    As can be appreciated, an ETT system including an ETT including a sensor at a proximal end thereof and a monitoring device may prove useful in the medical field. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is being described which is further from a user (qualified medical professional), while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to a user. 
         [0009]    An aspect of the present disclosure provides an ETT system. The ETT system includes a monitoring device and an ETT including at least one sensor disposed thereon, the at least one sensor in operable communication with the monitoring device for detecting removal of the ETT from a patient. 
         [0010]    An aspect of the present disclosure provides an ETT that is configured for use with a monitoring device. The ETT includes at least one sensor that is in operable communication with the monitoring device for detecting removal of the ETT from a patient. 
         [0011]    An aspect of the present disclosure provides an ETT system. The ETT system includes a monitoring device and an ETT including at least one sensor disposed thereon, the at least one sensor in operable communication with the monitoring device for detecting when a patient grasps a proximal end of the ETT in an attempt to extubate the ETT. 
         [0012]    An aspect of the present disclosure provides an invasive system. The invasive system includes a monitoring device and an invasive device including at least one sensor disposed thereon, the at least one sensor in operable communication with the monitoring device for detecting when a patient grasps a proximal end of the invasive device in an attempt to remove the invasive device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0013]    Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an ETT system including an ETT and a monitoring device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are cross-sectional views of an ETT, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an ETT system  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ETT system  100  includes an ETT  102  and a monitoring device  104   
         [0018]    The ETT  102  is comprised of a flexible, plastic tubular member  106  with an opening  108  at the distal end  110  and an opening  112  at the proximal end  114 . A ventilator or other breathing apparatus is connected to the proximal end opening  112 . 
         [0019]    Adjacent to the distal end  110  is a cuff  116 , e.g., an inflatable balloon, that, when inflated, retains the ETT  102  in position in the airway and closes the airway outside of the ETT  102 . A pilot balloon  118  is used to inflate the cuff  116 . 
         [0020]    An opening  120  in the side of the tubular member  106  adjacent to the distal end  110 , also called a Murphy Eye, prevents respiratory obstruction in the event the distal opening  108  becomes plugged. 
         [0021]    In order for the ETT to be visible in an x-ray, it is known in the art to incorporate a radiopaque stripe  122  longitudinally in the tubular member  106  along at least a distal portion  124  of the tubular member  106  and end at or near the distal end  110 . 
         [0022]    One or more pressure sensors  126  (a plurality of pressure sensors  126  are shown  FIG. 1 ) are disposed at a proximal portion  128  of the ETT. The one or more pressure sensors  126  are arranged along the proximal portion  128  so as to detect when a patient grasps the proximal portion  128 . 
         [0023]    The one or more pressure sensors  126  can be disposed along an exterior surface of the tubular member  106  and affixed thereto via one or more suitable affixation methods and/or devices, e.g., adhesive, transparent tape or film, etc. Alternatively, the one or more pressure sensors  126  can be embedded within an interior wall portion  130  of the tubular member  106 , see  FIGS. 2A and 2B , for example. 
         [0024]    The one or more pressure sensors  126  detect when a user grasps the proximal portion  128  of the tubular member  106 . More particularly, the one or more pressure sensors  126  are configured to detect when a pressure applied to the proximal portion  128  exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value can be set in accordance with a manufacturers or users demands. 
         [0025]    The one or more pressure sensors  126  are in wireless communication with the monitoring device  104 . One or more various short range wireless protocols including, but not limited to, Bluetooth®, Wifi®, Zigbee®, NFC, etc. may be used for providing a wireless communication interface between the one or more sensors  126  and the monitoring device  104 . 
         [0026]    The monitoring device  104  includes a microcontroller  132  which controls the overall functions of the monitoring device  104 . An antenna  134 , which is controlled by the microcontroller  132 , receives signaling from the at least one or more pressure sensors  126 . The signaling may include data such as pressure data that is detected by the one or more sensors  126 . 
         [0027]    The antenna  134  transmits the received data to one more demodulators  136  which demodulate the signaling received from the antenna  134 . The demodulated signal is transmitted to the microcontroller  132  which determines if the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure value. If the pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure value, the microcontroller  132  transmits a control signal to a speaker  138  of the monitoring device  104  requesting that the speaker  138  output one or more audio signals, e.g., an alarm signal. 
         [0028]    The monitoring device  104  also includes an on/off button/switch  140  and a volume control device  142 , e.g., a knob, which are in communication with the microcontroller  132  for turning on/off the monitoring device  104  and adjusting a volume of the output of speaker  138 . 
         [0029]    One or more visual indicators  144 , e.g., light emitting diodes, may also be provided on the monitoring device  104 . 
         [0030]    In use, a medical professional, e.g., a doctor or qualified medical professional, intubates a patient. As is customary practice, the proximal portion  128  of the ETT  102  remains outside of the patient for connecting the proximal end opening  112  to a ventilator or other breathing apparatus. 
         [0031]    The medical professional turns on the monitoring device  104 . If the patient grasps the proximal portion  128  in an attempt to pull out the ETT  102 , the one or more pressure sensors  126  disposed at the proximal portion  128  detects a pressure exerted at the proximal portion  128 . When the pressure is detected, the one or more pressure sensors  126  transmit signaling which is detected by the antenna  134  of the monitoring device  104 . 
         [0032]    The antenna  134  transmits the received pressure data to the microcontroller  132  which analyzes the pressure data. If it is determined that the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the microcontroller  132  transmits a control signal to the speaker  138  of the monitoring device  104  requesting that the speaker  138  output an alarm signal to alert the medical professional that the patient is attempting to remove the ETT. The microcontroller  132  can also control the monitoring device  104  to output a visual indication, e.g., light the LED, to the medical professional. 
         [0033]    The ETT system  100  including the ETT  102  and monitoring device  104  overcome the aforementioned drawbacks that are associated with conventional ETT systems. That is, unlike conventional ETT systems that are configured to alert a medical professional only after a patient has extubated the ETT, the ETT system  100  is configured to alert a medical professional prior to the patient extubating the ETT. Accordingly, the need for a medical professional to re-intubate the patient, which would demand more of the medical professional&#39;s time and which would cause additional pain to the patient, would be eliminated. 
         [0034]    From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example, while the one or more sensors  126  have been described herein in terms of pressure sensors, the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, other sensors can be disposed at the proximal portion  128  of the ETT  102 . For example, light sensors  150  and/or temperature sensors  152  can be used in conjunction with or in place of the one or more pressure sensors  126 . For illustrative purposes, in  FIG. 2B , the proximal portion  128  is shown including two pressure sensors  126 , a light sensor  150  and a temperature sensor  152 . 
         [0035]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the light sensor  150  and temperature sensor  152  are configured to transmit signaling that is detected by the antenna  134 . The detected signaling can be processed in a manner as described above with respect to the one or more pressure sensors  126 . As can be appreciated, one or more modifications to the monitoring device  104  may have to be made in order to accommodate the light sensors  150  and temperature sensors  152 . For example, the microcontroller  132  is configured to determine if light value falls below a predetermined value or if a temperature value exceeds and/or falls below a predetermined value. 
         [0036]    While the one or more sensors  126 ,  150 , and  152  have been described herein as communicating with the monitoring device  104  via a wireless communication scheme, other communication schemes may be used. For example, a wired communication scheme may be used instead of a wireless communication scheme. As can be appreciated, one or more wires may be connected to the one or more pressure sensors  126  and connected to the monitoring device  104 ; the one or more wires can be directly or indirectly connected to the monitoring device  104 . 
         [0037]    Moreover, the monitoring device  104  can be positioned in the same room as the patient, or the monitoring device can be positioned at a location that is remote, e.g., a nurse&#39;s station, relative to the patient; various factors will play a role in determining where the monitoring device  104  is located with respect to the patient. For example, a manufacturer&#39;s or a user&#39;s preference, a communication scheme used between the one or more sensors and the monitoring device, are just but a few. 
         [0038]    The ETT  102  and the monitoring device  104  of the ETT system  100  can be sold separately or together as a kit. 
         [0039]    While the one or more sensors  126 ,  150 , and  152  have been described herein as being used with a system including the ETT  102 , it is within purview of the present disclosure that the sensors can also be provided on other invasive lines, tubes, or devices, e.g., a chest tube  154 , nasogastric tube  156 , which are shown schematically in  FIG. 1 . As can be appreciated, one or more modifications may have to be made to a system that includes such devices in order for that system to function as described herein with respect to the system  100 . 
         [0040]    At least a part of the monitoring device  104  (e.g., modules or the functions) or methods (e.g., operations) described above may be implemented with, for example, instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage media which has a program module. When the instructions are executed by a processor (e.g., the microcontroller  132 ), one or more processors may perform functions corresponding to the instructions. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media may be, for example, a memory  146  ( FIG. 1 ), which is used to store various data that can be read from the other modules of the monitoring device  104 . 
         [0041]    The non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include a hard disc, a floppy disk, magnetic media (e.g., a magnetic tape), optical media (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), and magneto-optical media (e.g., a floptical disk)), a hardware device (e.g., a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory, and the like), and the like. Also, the program instructions may include not only mechanical codes compiled by a compiler (not shown) but also high-level language codes which may be executed by a computer using an interpreter and the like. The above-mentioned hardware device may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform operations according to various embodiments of the present invention, and vice versa. 
         [0042]    The non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include instructions which may be executed by at least one processor. The instructions may be set to determine whether a predetermined pressure value has been exceeded or whether one or more of the other aforementioned values, e.g., a temperature value and/or a light value, exceeds and/or falls below a respective predetermined value. In the event that it is determined a predetermined value has been met, the instructions, when set, may instruct the speaker to output one or more of the aforementioned alerts. 
         [0043]    The non-transitory computer readable medium may be downloaded on one or more wireless devices including, but not limited to, smart phones, tablets and other suitable wireless devices. For example, the instructions can be downloaded onto a smart phone. In this instance, the smart phone can communicate with the one more sensors described above and can perform the functions of the monitoring device  104 . For example, the instructions can be set to synchronize the one or more sensors with the smart phone such that the smart phone can perform the functions of the monitoring device described above. For example, the smart phone can receive the signaling from the one or more sensors and the processor of the smart phone can be configured to determine if a predetermined value has been met. Upon determination of the predetermined value being met, the instructions may instruct the speaker of the smart phone to output one or more of the aforementioned alerts, e.g., a visual alert on a screen of the smart phone, an audio alert output from a speaker of the smart phone, or a tactile feedback (vibration) from the smart phone. 
         [0044]    Modules or program modules according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one or more of the above-mentioned components, some of the above-mentioned components may be omitted, or other additional components may be further included. Operations executed by modules, program modules, or other components may be executed by a successive method, a parallel method, a repeated method, or a heuristic method. Also, some operations may be executed in a different order or may be omitted, and other operations may be added. 
         [0045]    While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.