A system for controlling and monitoring flow in a cuffed endotracheal tube device is disclosed. The system comprises: a connector panel having at least three connectors adapted for establishing fluid communication with proximal ends of at least a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a cuff inflation line of the endotracheal tube device. The system can further comprise a processing unit and a control unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to instruct the control unit to execute various operations, including at least a rinsing procedure, a suctioning procedure, a cuff inflation procedure, a leak detection procedure and a venting procedure, and to select any of the first and the second fluid lines for any of the rinsing, suctioning, leak detection and venting procedures. In some embodiments, the system exploits the cuff as sensor to sense pulmonary data.

A method and system for instilling a medium into portions of a luminal network is provided. The method includes generating a model of a luminal network based on images of the luminal network, determining a location of a treatment target in the luminal network, navigating a bronchoscope through the bronchial tree to a target, guiding a catheter through the bronchoscope, dispensing medium to the target from a distal end of the catheter, and removing a quantity of medium from the luminal network.

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.

Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) may be prevented in a patient, or its occurrence reduced in a population of patients, by using an anti-VAP device or an anti-VAP material such as an anti-VAP mouthpiece that absorbs secretions. By reducing the problem of bacterial-containing secretions that otherwise build up in the airway of, and elsewhere in, the intubated patient, VAP can be prevented from occurring in intubated patients, such as patients intubated with an endotracheal tube (ETT) or a nasogastric tube. Anti-VAP mouthpieces also are useable in non-intubated patients to maintain oral hygiene.

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.

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.

Systems and devices for monitoring, detecting, and removing fluid build-up found at various regions along a tracheal tube of an intubated patient. The fluid management system includes pressure and flow sensors for detecting whether there is fluid at the various regions along the tracheal tube, and a means for drawing out the fluid into collection jars. The system also includes lavage features that is able to rinse different the various regions along a tracheal tube. Also disclosed are respiration insertion devices that either couple to existing tracheal tubes or incorporate tracheal tubing, where the respiration insertion body has channels and ports that contact various regions along the tracheal tube. The combination of the fluid management system and the respiration insertion devices effectively monitor and remove fluid at various locations along a tracheal tube of an intubated patient.

The present disclosure describes systems and methods that utilize a tracheal tube with a shaped evacuation port. An evacuation port coupled to a suction lumen may be shaped to reduce air channel formation within the suction lumen, which in turn may improve the suctioning force and efficiency. The shaped evacuation ports may be generally oval or may be shaped to minimize a height dimension while maintaining a suitable cross-sectional area. In particular embodiments, the shaped evacuation ports may have cross-sectional areas that correspond to a cross-sectional area of the suction lumen.

Tube systems may include a tube with an inflatable balloon that is affixed to, and circumferentially surrounding an exterior portion of the tube. The inflatable balloon may be positioned between the first open end and the second open end of the tube. The tube may be flexible and hollow and may have a first open end and a second open end. The tube may include a suction line, a suction line port, and a spacer that extends from an exterior surface of the tube and is positioned proximate to the suction line port. The spacer may be configured to prevent occlusion of the suction line port.

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.