Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for accurately detecting a position of an endotracheal tube by sensing patient anatomy surrounding the endotracheal tube. Systems of the present disclosure include an endotracheal tube having at least one sensor supported by the endotracheal tube configured to detect surrounding patient anatomy. A signal processing unit can receive data from the sensor and can at least one of (i) identify the detected patient anatomy, for example, vocal cords, (ii) determine a distance between the detected patient anatomy and a known point on the endotracheal tube, and (iii) verify a positioning of the endotracheal tube within a tracheal or esophageal lumen of the patient. In some embodiments, the system can include at least one inflatable component that can extend along an outer surface of the endotracheal tube and support the at least one sensor.

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.

An airway management device (10) for a human or animal subject (20) includes an airway tube (101) having a first end for disposal external to the subject (20) and a second end (102) for disposal in a portion of an airway of the subject (20). A light emitting element (108) and a photo-sensing element (109) may be disposed at the second end (102) of the airway tube (101). The light emitting element (108) may be configured to transmit light to tissue adjacent to the light emitting element (108). The photo-sensing element (109) may be configured to receive reflectance spectra (204) from the tissue. The location of the second end (102) of the airway tube (101) may be determined from characteristics of the reflectance spectra (204) of the tissue.

A removable fiberoptic adapter is secured onto a respiratory-device, such as a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or a ventilating airway mask, to allow for endoscopes to be inserted through the LMA while maintaining a connection to an oxygen source to sustain the patient as the patient breathes. The removable fiberoptic adapter includes an airway tube, an oxygen port, a carbon dioxide outlet, an implement port, and an adapter plug. The oxygen port and the carbon dioxide outlet allow for the introduction of air or oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide for respiration of the patient. The oxygen port and the carbon dioxide outlet are laterally connected to the airway tube. The implement port allows for the insertion of endoscopes or other medical implements through the respiratory-device. The adapter plug engages the implement inlet in order to restrict fluid flow through the implement inlet.

An endotracheal tube assembly comprising a tubing body and a tubing adapter. The tubing body has proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubing adapter comprises an adapter body and a valve member. The adapter body has first and second connector portions defining first and second connector flow passages, respectively. The adapter body further defines a valve chamber in fluid communication with the first and second connector flow passages. The first connector portion is matingly engaged with the proximal end of the tubing body. The valve member has a flow passage extending therethrough, is positioned in the valve chamber, and is movable between an open position, wherein the flow passage is aligned with the first and second connector flow passages, and a closed position, wherein the flow passage is misaligned with the first and second connector flow passages.

A tracheal tube can be easily positioned and has no risk of unexpectedly blocking a bronchus. This tracheal tube is inserted through the trachea and a bronchus of a subject, and includes: a tube body which has a through hole formed on the outer peripheral surface; and bronchus cuffs which are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tube body and which press the inner peripheral surface of the bronchus. The bronchus cuffs are formed spaced apart in the axial direction of the tube body and form a plurality of vent spaces which communicate with each other. The through hole communicates with the vent spaces.

A method for cerebral cooling is described using a cooling assembly, which includes first and second elongate tubular members adapted for insertion into a nasal cavity of a patient through the patient's nostrils. The elongate tubular members each have a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending therebetween, and a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the lumen. The cooling assembly also includes a manifold and a reservoir, which contains a pressurized fluid that includes a propellant having a boiling point less than 22 C. The elongate tubular members are inserted into the nasal cavity through the patient's nostrils and pressurized fluid is delivered onto a surface of the nasal cavity by infusing the pressurized fluid from the reservoir through the manifold, into the lumens and through the plurality of ports of the first and second elongate tubular members.

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).

A method for providing respiratory support to a patient includes intubating the patient with an invasive patient interface having a sealable member operable to form a sealing engagement with the patient's airway. While the patient is intubated, the sealable member is operated to form a non-sealing arrangement of the invasive patient interface within the patient's airway and a flow of respiratory gas is provided to the patient via the invasive patient interface. This respiratory support is provided during absence of spontaneous breathing.

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.