The present invention relates to an assembly for controlling a temperature of at least a part of a person, comprising an esophagus catheter to be inserted into the esophagus of the person for controlling the temperature. The esophagus catheter extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a proximal heat exchanger defining a first flow direction having a first axial component relative to the longitudinal axis, and a distal heat exchanger defining a second flow direction having a second axial component relative to the longitudinal axis. The esophagus catheter further comprises a plurality of coolant channels each in fluid communication with at least one of the proximal heat exchanger and the distal heat exchanger, and a coolant pump connected or connectable to at least one of the plurality of coolant channels. The assembly is configured to cause simultaneously a coolant flow through the proximal heat exchanger and the distal heat exchanger.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a reversible airway device. The reversible airway device (10) can include: a supra-glottic airway support (12) comprising a multi-lumen tubular guide (14) and an optional sealing member (16); an endotracheal tube (26); and at least one seal (42). The multi-lumen tubular guide has a distal end portion (18), a proximal end portion (22), a first passageway (20) extending between the distal and proximal end portions, and a second passageway (24) that is non-concentric with the first passageway and also extends between the distal and proximal end portions. The at least one seal is disposed within the first passageway, the second passageway, or both, so as to occlude the flow of a gas through the first passageway and/or the second passageway. The endotracheal tube can be inserted into the first or second passageway and can traverse the seal.

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for occluding a collateral flow channel between a target lung compartment and an adjacent lung compartment. A video-assisted thoracoscopic device is inserted into a thoracic cavity of a patient and positioned at a fissure between a target lung compartment and an adjacent lung compartment. A collateral flow channel between the target lung compartment and the adjacent lung compartment is then identified using the video-assisted thoracoscopic device and an agent is injected into the collateral flow channel, thereby reducing the collateral flow channel.

An endotracheal tube (ETT) system and methods are provided. In at least one example, an ETT system may comprise, a tube, inflatable cuff coupled to the tube, and a restrictor. In at least one example the restrictor may comprise one more cavities. In a further example, a restrictor drainage assembly may be coupled to the restrictor, the restrictor drainage assembly configured to drain secretions that may be collected at a collection point formed by the restrictor when the ETT system is positioned in an airway of a patient and in an inflated state.

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.

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.

A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) device includes a backplate, an inflatable balloon, an airway tube, and a non-inflatable skeleton, which extends anteriorly from the backplate, and which is shaped so as to define a skeleton anterior side that has a pre-formed shape. A distal end of an inflation tube is coupled in fluid communication with (i) an interior of the inflatable balloon for supplying air to the inflatable balloon, and (ii) at least a portion of the skeleton anterior side. The inflatable balloon is shaped so as to define an inflatable annular cuff which (a) covers at least a portion of the skeleton anterior side, and (b) has a cuff anterior side that is configured to form a seal around a laryngeal inlet of a patient when the inflatable annular cuff is disposed at an LMA-insertion location within a throat of the patient. Other embodiments are also described.

The present invention provides improved medical devices equipped with a visualization device for intubation, extubation, ventilation, drug delivery, feeding and continuous remote monitoring of a patient. 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.

Tracheal tube systems may include first and second tubes and an inflatable balloon. The first tube may be flexible and hollow and have first and second open ends. The inflatable balloon may be affixed to and circumferentially surround a portion of the first tube. The inflatable balloon may include an indentation sized and positioned to accommodate a portion of a second tube positioned therein, when the inflatable balloon is inflated. The second tube may be hollow and have a multiplicity of holes along a sidewall not in contact with the balloon. The second tube may be configured to be coupled to a suction device that creates a negative pressure in the second tube. When the tracheal tube system is inserted in a patient's trachea, the negative pressure in the second tube may act to remove, or suction out, fluids and other matter from the trachea.

Intubation devices and methods of intubating a patient are provided. The intubation devices include a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) component having a mask portion and a tube portion and an endotracheal tube (ETT) component positioned in the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) component having a translatable and/or rotatable endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube can be translated and/or rotated by a manipulation rod extending through the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) component and mounted to the endotracheal tube (ETT). The intubation devices may include inflatable cuffs adapted to manipulate the positioning or orientation of the endotracheal tube and/or to seal openings about the endotracheal tubes. Various ports, passages, and conduits are provided to enhance the use and manipulation of the intubation device.