A tube protective sheath or tip is provided for use with a nasal RAE tube in order to minimize bleeding and trauma often associated with passage of a nasal RAE tube through the nasal cavity. The tube protective sheath or tip includes a hollow cylindrical portion that extends and fits snugly over the tube tip of the nasal RAE tube. A tapered, pointed, or rounded distal portion is connected to the hollow cylindrical portion. As the nasal RAE tube is inserted through the patient's nasal cavity, the nasal RAE tube protective sheath or tip spreads the passages gently and smoothly, allowing the nasal RAE tube to follow it into the pharynx. Strings or extensions are attached to the tube protective sheath or tip and are used to prevent loss of the protective tip in the patient's nasal cavity, pharynx, or trachea during the intubation process.

An introducer for a tracheostomy tube is formed of several articulated sections (24) that can be changed from a relatively flexible state to a more rigid state by tightening a tension member extending along the introducer using an actuator at its machine end. In its flexible state the introducer can be inserted into and removed from the tube. The introducer is put in its more rigid state for use in inserting the tube into a tracheostomy. Alternatively or additionally the introducer could have several gripping rings on its outside towards its patient end and two elongate members that can be slid relative to one another to enlarge the patient end so that the gripping rings engage and grip the inside of the tube, thereby enabling the introducer to pull the tube through the tracheostomy from its patient end.

One aspect of the invention relates to an intubation aid (10). The intubation aid (10) comprises an elongated main part (12), and the intubation aid (10) is provided with an operating device (26). The main part (12) is designed to be curved in a first region (18) of the main part (12), and the main part (12) is additionally designed to be curved in a second region (20) of the main part (12), said second region being separated from the first region (18) and being arranged adjacently to the free end (16) of the main part (12). The main part (12) additionally comprises a positioning device (24) which is designed to limit a translational displacement of a tube (46) placed on the intubation aid (10) in at least one direction. A second aspect of the invention relates to an intubation aid which can be placed on an endoscope.

A loading dilator may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may include a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first outer surface extending between the first proximal end and the first distal end. The second portion may include a second proximal end, a second distal end, and a second outer surface extending between the second proximal end and the second distal end. The first outer surface may include a plurality of slits extending along at least a portion of the length of the first portion. The plurality of slits may be spaced apart circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the first portion. The length of the second portion may be smaller than the length of the first portion.

This invention is an improved assembly for intubation comprising: a cricothyroidotomy tube that can receive a malleable bougie allowing the cricothyroidotomy tube to take the shape of the bougie so that the cricothyroidotomy tube can be placed in a patient. A guide device can receive the bougie so that the bougie can be manipulated with the guide device to assist with insertion of the cricothyroidotomy tube in the patient. A bougie opening can be defined in the guide device for receiving a proximal end of the bougie to position the proximal end out of the way of a care giver to reduce interference that can be caused by the proximal end. Markings on the bougie can illustrate where to positioned the bougie to allow a predetermined amount of the bougie to extend from the cricothyroidotomy tube.

The invention is a laryngeal mask having a head part and an inlet tube, with a passage formed between a laryngeal opening of the head part and an inlet opening of the inlet tube. The laryngeal mask also includes: (1) a covering element encompassing the annular cushion and connected to the outer part of the head part towards the inlet tube from the connection of the annular cushion, where a releasable connection is formed circumferentially in the covering element or at the connection of the head part and the covering element; and (2) a puller element connected to an inner side of the covering element towards the laryngeal opening, and pullable from the inlet tube through the inlet opening, the puller element adapted for removing at least one part of the covering element through the inlet opening of the inlet tube by releasing the releasable connection.

Devices systems and methods are disclosed for removing secretions from the lumen of a functional assessment catheter for the lungs. The system comprises a flushing unit configured to deliver a clearing fluid to the lumen of the pulmonary catheter to remove debris, secretions, or moisture from the lumen or sensors.

An automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device is disclosed herein. This device includes a hand-held apparatus having a box shaped center apparatus (box) with a removable attached handlebar (handlebar). The handlebar includes two handles and top and bottom center bars. The handlebar contains four receiver clips. The box contains clip locks that secure the box onto the handlebar. Additionally, the box contains a capacitance measuring system for locating specific portions of the trachea, a peel-off cover that exposes a cleansing pad and adhesive backed flange. The flange has ribbons for securing the tube in a patient's neck. The box also contains pressure and locator sensors with corresponding indicator lights/sounds. The center box also contains a mechanism for penetrating the tracheal cartilage or medial cricothyroid membrane while simultaneously inserting a tube member. The mechanism retracts the puncture obturator back into the box leaving the tube inserted. Securing ribbons are exposed then placed around a patient's neck.

An automatic tracheotomy/cricothyrotomy device is disclosed herein. This device includes a hand-held apparatus having a box shaped center apparatus (box) with a removable attached handlebar (handlebar). The handlebar includes two handles and top and bottom center bars. The handlebar contains four receiver clips. The box contains clip locks that secure the box onto the handlebar. Additionally, the box contains a capacitance measuring system for locating specific portions of the trachea, a peel-off cover that exposes a cleansing pad and adhesive backed flange. The flange has ribbons for securing the tube in a patient's neck. The box also contains pressure and locator sensors with corresponding indicator lights/sounds. The center box also contains a mechanism for penetrating the tracheal cartilage or medial cricothyroid membrane while simultaneously inserting a tube member. The mechanism retracts the puncture obturator back into the box leaving the tube inserted. Securing ribbons are exposed then placed around a patient's neck.

A tracheal tube assembly includes an outer cannula configured to be positioned in a patient airway and an inner cannula configured to be disposed inside the outer cannula. The tracheal tube assembly further includes a flange member secured about the outer cannula, and an outer cannula connector coupled to a proximal end of the outer cannula. The inner cannula includes a compressible proximal end region that is compressed while secured inside the outer cannula connector.