Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a mechanically-actuated endotracheal tube cleaning device is configured to removably receive a visualization member to provide cleaning of the endotracheal tube under direct visualization.

A tracheal tube assembly includes an outer cannula configured to be positioned in a patient airway and an inner cannula configured to be disposed inside the outer cannula. The tracheal tube assembly includes a removable neck flange bracket with trach tie adapter points secured about the outer cannula, and a connector coupled to a proximal end of the outer cannula. The connector can include a swivel design feature and a flexible tubing connector may be formed with the connecter. The connector is constructed and arranged to provide a view of the inner cannula, and the inner cannula and the connector form a contiguous passageway for exchanging fluid with the patient airway in operation.

An inner cannula (2) for a tracheostomy tube (1) has a resilient catch (23) at its machine end. The catch has a two angular teeth (27) and (28) projecting outwardly towards its free end. One tooth (27) is shaped and positioned to engage in a groove (40) on the inside of a hub (16) at the machine end of the tube when the inner cannula is fully inserted. The other tooth (28) is smaller and is spaced rearwardly along the catch. The hub (16) also has a shallow rounded bead (44) projecting inwardly and spaced a short distance to the rear of the groove (40). When the inner cannula (2) is pulled out of the tube (1) the smaller tooth (28) engages the bead (44) on the hub (16) causing the catch (23) to deflect inwardly. In this way, the larger tooth (27) is displaced slightly out of the groove (40) making it easier for it to ramp out of the groove and allow the cannula to be withdrawn with little additional pulling force.

A tracheal tube apparatus includes a cannula having first and second ends. An inflatable cuff is formed on the cannula between the first and second ends. A conduit extends from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. A gauge for indicating the inflation pressure of the cuff is coupled in the conduit.

A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tube (1) and an inner cannula (2) removably inserted in the outer tube. The connector (15) on the machine end of the outer tube is rotatable through about a quarter turn and has a screw thread (30) on its inner surface. The hub (33) on the machine end of the inner cannula (2) is also formed with a screw thread (35) arranged to engage with the screw thread (30) in the connector. The inner cannula (2) is pulled into the outer tube (1), or is pushed outwardly of the tube, by rotating the connector.

A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tube (1) and an inner cannula (2) inserted in the outer tube. Two lugs (36) and (37) project outwardly from the inner cannula. The outer tube has a connector (15) that is rotatable and has catch members (28) and (29) that can be rotated into alignment with the lugs (36) and (37) on the inner cannula so as to retain the inner cannula in the outer tube. The inner cannula is removed by twisting the connector (15) through 90 so that the catch members (28) (and 29) move out of alignment with the lugs (36) and (37) to enable the inner cannula to be pulled rearwardly out of the outer tube.

Medical devices and methods of treatment are described herein. More particularly, medical devices and methods for providing access to a bodily passage during dilation are described herein. An exemplary medical device comprises an elongate member and a balloon. The elongate member is moveable between a first, non-expanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration.

A tracheostomy tube assembly comprises an outer tracheostomy tube (1) and an inner cannula (20) fitted in the tube. The machine end of the inner cannula has a collapsible region (22) formed by a plurality of curved or bent struts (26) extending parallel with one another between a machine end collar (28) and a patient end collar (27). The struts (26) carry outwardly-projecting catches (23) arranged to engage a rib (24) extending around the inside of a hub (16) at the machine end of the tube and thereby resist removal of the cannula from the tube. The inner cannula (20) is removed by twisting the machine end collar (28) so that the struts (26) collapse inwardly and thereby disengage the catches (23) from the rib (24).

An apparatus, system, and method for managing respiratory secretions and fluids in sections of artificial airways. A secretion removal assembly configured to connect to a respiratory secretion retention device, the respiratory secretion retention device adapted to fluidly connect to an artificial airway, the secretion removal assembly including a connector adapted to connect to a port of the respiratory secretion retention device; and a bag in fluid communication with the connector can be provided. In another aspect of this embodiment, the bag is adapted to collect the secretions that emit from the port of the respiratory secretion retention device. In yet another aspect of this embodiment, the secretion removal assembly further can include a tube having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end in fluid communication with the connector and the second end in fluid communication with the bag.

Tracheostomy tubes (1) of different sizes or of other different characteristics are marked on their flange (20) with a band (22) of differing colours or patterns. Similarly, inner cannulae (30) for use with tubes of specific sizes have a marking (33) of the same colour or pattern. The tube (1) and inner cannula (30) are contained in a sealed pack (40) having a tray (41) with a peel-off seal sheet (42) that also bears a marking (43) of the same colour or pattern. The sealed pack (40) is contained within an outer cardboard carton (50) having an end flap (51) which is sealed by a label (54) of the same colour or pattern so that tubes of the desired characteristic can be easily selected.