A bi-directionally articulable endotracheal tube includes an articulator with a lever, pivoted on a bite block that, via two attached diametrical wires threaded through the tube wall, controls an articulee with two asymmetric notches sequestrated by three nested, specialized cuffs. A connector having an oval cross-section can effectively house and stopper a video stylet whose flexible tip is nimbly responsive to the articulator. The endotracheal tube can be partially styletted for routine intubation in a direct or video laryngoscopy, or video styletted as a ubiquitous alternative to intubative fiber optic bronchoscope and in combination with a video laryngoscope for dual imaging intubation.

A cleaning device, system and method for use with an ETT or tracheostomy ventilation tube 60, a ventilator machine 900, a source(s) 602 of fluid (for example, pressurized or unpressurized) and a source(s) of suctioning 603 is disclosed. In some embodiments, the cleaning device is useful for cleaning an inner surface of the ventilation tube 60 and/or for preventing or hindering the accumulation of biofilm thereon. In some embodiments, it is possible to clean biofilm or any other material on the inner surface 201 by delivering fluid into an interior of the ventilation tube, wiping the tube interior with a width-expanded wiping element (e.g. an inflated balloon) by longitudinal motion of the wiping element, and suctioning material out of the ventilation tube ventilation tube.

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.

A method of sealing a trachea is provided that includes inserting a tracheal tube having an inflatable cuff made of a compliant material into a trachea. The method includes inflating the inflatable cuff with a fluid to a first pressure that exceeds a second pressure necessary to create a seal between the inflatable cuff and the tracheal wall. The method includes deflating the inflatable cuff by releasing a first pressure to allow the fluid to flow out of the inflatable cuff without applying vacuum pressure to the fluid while evaluating a rate of change of pressure of the fluid in the inflatable cuff. The method includes identifying a variance in the rate of change of pressure corresponding to a third pressure at which the inflatable cuff separates from the tracheal wall, determining the second pressure by analyzing the third pressure, and reinflating the inflatable cuff to the second pressure.

A cleaning device, system and method for use with an ETT or tracheostomy ventilation tube 60, a ventilator machine 900, a source(s) 602 of fluid (for example, pressurized or unpressurized) and a source(s) of suctioning 603 is disclosed. In some embodiments, the cleaning device is useful for cleaning an inner surface of the ventilation tube 60 and/or for preventing or hindering the accumulation of biofilm thereon. In some embodiments, it is possible to clean biofilm or any other material on the inner surface 201 by delivering fluid into an interior of the ventilation tube, wiping the tube interior with a width-expanded wiping element (e.g. an inflated balloon) by longitudinal motion of the wiping element, and suctioning material out of the ventilation tube ventilation tube.

An endotracheal tube system includes an endotracheal tube, a first expandable bag disposed on the endotracheal tube, and a second expandable bag surrounding the first expandable bag. The second expandable bag is configured to contain a contrast agent. The first expandable bag is disposed on a distal portion of the endotracheal tube.

Medical devices and methods of treatment are described herein. More particularly, medical devices and methods for providing access to a bodily passage during dilation are described herein. An exemplary medical device comprises an elongate member and a balloon. The elongate member is moveable between a first, non-expanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration.

Medical devices and methods of treatment are described herein. More particularly, medical devices and methods for providing access to a bodily passage during dilation are described herein. An exemplary medical device comprises an elongate member and a balloon. The elongate member is moveable between a first, non-expanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration.

A system for delivering a therapeutic agent to nasopharyngeal mucosa tissue has a shaft, a porous pad of compliant material coupled to the shaft near the distal end, and a drug reservoir. The porous pad is configured to expand from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration. The expanded configuration is adapted to engage and conform to the mucosa tissue in a nasal cavity, and the contracted configuration has a size suitable for introduction into the nasal cavity. The drug reservoir holds a therapeutic agent and is at least partially covered by the porous pad. The drug reservoir is configured to release a fixed volume of the therapeutic agent into the porous pad within a period of less than about 120 minutes, and has a wall with a plurality of channels fluidly coupled with the porous pad.

A system for delivering a therapeutic agent to nasopharyngeal mucosa tissue has a shaft, a porous pad of compliant material coupled to the shaft near the distal end, and a drug reservoir. The porous pad is configured to expand from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration. The expanded configuration is adapted to engage and conform to the mucosa tissue in a nasal cavity, and the contracted configuration has a size suitable for introduction into the nasal cavity. The drug reservoir holds a therapeutic agent and is at least partially covered by the porous pad. The drug reservoir is configured to release a fixed volume of the therapeutic agent into the porous pad within a period of less than about 120 minutes, and has a wall with a plurality of channels fluidly coupled with the porous pad.