A method for the management of secretions in an intubated patient by means of an endotracheal tube to which an inflatable cuff is externally associated, includes the steps of inflating the inflatable cuff for isolating the broncho-pulmonary zone of the patient from the external environment, generating a succession of overpressures inside the endotracheal tube in order to induce breathing in the patient, and a step of deflating the inflatable cuff during the generation of one of the overpressures in order to permit a drainage of the secretions generated by the patient along the trachea towards the outside.

An optical assembly is configured for use with an endotracheal tube insertion device and includes a flexible member with an elongated body having a substantially cylindrical shape, a distal end, and a proximal end. An endotracheal tube is carried by the flexible member, and an endotracheal tube retention tab extends outwardly from the flexible member and is configured to allow the endotracheal tube to be positioned and retained therein. The endotracheal tube retention tab has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, defines a longitudinally extending channel, and includes an elongated slot formed therein. The elongated slot is configured to provide access to the channel and to facilitate removal of the endotracheal tube.

An inflatable cuff for an endotracheal tube system has a sealing component that is one or a combination of (a) a proximal one-directional valve configured to deflect with underpressure during the intubation procedure and contact the tracheal wall of a patient to provide sealing, (b) a distal one-directional valve configured to deflect with overpressure during the intubation procedure and contact the tracheal wall to provide sealing; and (c) a cloud shape of the inflatable portion. The cloud shape is defined by at least one sealing section of the inflatable portion having a primary maximum inflated diameter and at least one non-sealing section of the inflatable portion having a maximum inflated diameter less than the primary maximum inflated diameter. The inflatable cuff may be inflatable by a ventilation tube. The system may include a cuff controller that senses airflow parameters and provides regulated flows of air during an intubation procedure.

A single lumen endobronchial tube for selective mechanical ventilation of the lungs can include a medical tube having a single lumen with an opening at each of opposed distal and proximal ends of the tube, the opening at the proximal end of the tube being adapted for connection to an external mechanical ventilation device, and the opening at the distal end of the tube being adapted for delivery of a medical gas; a wall extending throughout the tube's entire length having an internal wall surface, an external wall surface and a thickness therebetween, a portion of the wall having an aperture and a shaft adapted to house a mechanism for sealing the aperture; a distal bronchial cuff positioned along the external wall surface and adapted to expand radially outward; and at least a first proximal tracheal cuff positioned along the external wall surface and adapted to expand radially outward.

The invention relates to a device for immobilizing oxygen-administering tubes in anaesthetized patients, where the corresponding endotracheal tube comprises, on the distal end thereof, a balloon or bag to be placed in the branch of the trachea of the patient, characterised in that a pair of balloons or bags are connected to the endotracheal tube itself, one of them having an omega shape, and the other being spherical and larger, and both being arranged inside the mouth of the patient and being associated with respective valves for the inflation thereof.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

Various embodiments of a tracheal tube capable of suctioning accumulated mucus secretions from the airway of intubated patients are provided. Disclosed embodiments include a variety of endotracheal tubes with integral suction lumens terminating in ports optimally located at the distal end of the endotracheal tubes between a Murphy's Eye and a cuff. During intubation, the foregoing features, among others, of the tracheal tube may have the effect of preventing bacterial colonization of the respiratory airway and the subsequent development of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in the lungs.

A tracheal tube assembly includes a connector body, a cannula extending from the connector body, and an insert that provides rigidity to the connector body and retains the cannula in the connector body. The cannula has an upper end that fits between conforming tapered sections of the connector body inner surface and the insert. The insert may include features to mitigate stress on and around any secondary lumens in the cannula wall. Because the wall is thinner at the site of a secondary lumen, the connector body insert may include a recess into which the cannula wall may expand. The recess may be aligned with the secondary lumen.

A device for targeted delivery of a substance to an airway may include a conduit and at least two applicators. The conduit may include a proximal end and a bifurcated distal portion having two distal ends. Each applicator may be coupled with one of the distal ends of the conduit and may be configured to direct the substance out of the applicator toward one of two sides of an airway. A method for targeted delivery of a substance to an airway may involve advancing a substance delivery device into the airway, contacting two sides of the airway with at least two applicators of the substance delivery device, such that each applicator contacts the airway near a glossopharyngeal nerve and/or a superior laryngeal nerve on each of the two sides of the airway, and delivering the substance through the applicators to contact the airway along the two sides.