A tracheostomy tube has an inflatable sealing cuff (11) towards its patient end (6) and a fluid-permeable cuff (31) mounted on the shaft (1) above the inflatable cuff. The fluid-permeable cuff (31) contains hydrogel granules (32) that absorb moisture in the trachea (T) and help reduces the amount of secretions leaking past the sealing cuff (11). When the tube is to be withdrawn from the trachea (T) the lower, inflatable cuff (11) is deflated allowing the upper, fluid-permeable cuff (31) to be flattened against the outside of the lower cuff.

The present disclosure describes systems and apparatuses related to a bronchial isolation tube, a laryngeal mask or similar device, and/or adapters and connectors for use with the same, as well as methods for using the same. In an exemplary airway device, the device may comprise a mask portion being defined at a distal end of the airway device, and may be configured and dimensioned to be positioned in a hypopharyngeal area of a patient to cover and seal around a glottis of the patient; and a channel portion extending from a proximal end of the airway device to the mask portion. The channel portion may include first and second channels, wherein the second channel may obliquely merge with the first channel proximate to an opening of the first channel. In an exemplary embodiment, a third channel may form a combined pharyngeal-gastric access channel.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a reversible airway device for ventilating a subject. The airway device can comprise a laryngeal tube, an endotracheal tube, and a sealing mechanism. The laryngeal tube can include a tubular guide having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a first passageway extending between the distal and proximal end portions. The laryngeal tube can further include axially spaced apart distal and proximal cuffs coupled thereto. The endotracheal tube can be slidably disposed within the first passageway. The endotracheal tube can have a second passageway that is disposed within the first passageway. The sealing mechanism can be disposed within the first passageway and configured to occlude the flow of gas through the first passageway.

This document provides devices and methods for performing tracheostomies. For example, this document provides devices and methods for performing tracheostomies using tracheostomy tubes that include a cuff at the neck opening area that can prevent or reduce the potential for air leaks.

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.

A repositionable medical tube, such as an endotracheal tube, a nasogastric tube, or a nasojejunal tube, having an inflatable cuff with at least one divot region therein, the divot region having an outer diameter sufficiently smaller than an outer diameter of both a proximate cuff region and of a distal cuff region as to produce a discernibly-distinct ultrasonic image when scanned by an ultrasound sensor. The medical tube may be further provided with an ultrasonically-detectable coil or one or more ultrasonically-detectable markers having an identifiable geometric shape when the marker is visible using an ultrasonic probe.

The present invention provides medical devices comprising at least one visualization device sealed to, attached to or otherwise combined with at least one of the following second devices: an oral airway, ventilating mask, urinary catheter, trocar, a tool tube, and a medical glove. The present invention also provides methods for rapid and accurate placement of a medical device in a patient and continuous real time monitoring, including a remote monitoring, of the patient after the placement.

Implants comprising electrically-responsive hydrogel are described. Systems to provide electricity to induce response in hydrogel-containing implants are described. Methods for utilizing said system and methods for utilizing said hydrogel-containing implants are described.

A tracheal device for the assisted respiration of a patient includes a first tube having a proximal end to be arranged protruding from the mouth of the patient and connectable to a device for assisted respiration, a distal end adapted to cover an orifice, and a first sealing element coupled externally to the first tube. The tracheal device also includes a second tube having a distal end adapted to cover the orifice, a second sealing element coupled externally to the second tube, and a flexible and collapsible service duct stably coupled to the first tube and the second tube to allow the service duct and the first and the second tubes to be arranged in two configurations.

A fluid delivery and airway management device including a tubular member dimensioned for introducing a fluid into a trachea of a mammal, the tubular member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The tubular member is dimensioned for positioning of the proximal portion in an oral cavity of a mammal, the middle portion in an oropharynx of the mammal and the distal portion in an esophagus of the mammal. An inflatable oral cavity balloon is positioned at the proximal portion and dimensioned to occlude the oral cavity. An inflatable esophageal balloon is positioned at the distal portion and dimensioned to occlude the esophagus. Apertures may be formed within the middle portion such that a fluid introduced into the tubular member is output through the apertures to a trachea.