4028results about "Tracheal tubes" patented technology

Lung volume reduction is performed in a minimally invasive manner by isolating a lung tissue segment, optionally reducing gas flow obstructions within the segment, and aspirating the segment to cause the segment to at least partially collapse. Further optionally, external pressure may be applied on the segment to assist in complete collapse. Reduction of gas flow obstructions may be achieved in a variety of ways, including over inflation of the lung, introduction of mucolytic or dilation agents, application of vibrational energy, induction of absorption atelectasis, or the like. Optionally, diagnostic procedures on the isolated lung segment may be performed, typically using the same isolation/access catheter.

Apparatus, systems, methods, and kits are provided for isolating a target lung segment and treating that segment, usually by drug delivery or lavage. The systems include at least a lobar or sub-lobar isolation catheter which is introduced beyond a second lung bifurcation (i.e., beyond the first bifurcation in a lobe of the lung) and which can occlude a bronchial passage at that point. An inner catheter is usually introduced through the isolation catheter and used in cooperation with the isolation catheter for delivering and/or removing drugs or washing liquids from the isolated lung region. Optionally, the inner catheter will also have an occluding member near its distal end for further isolation of a target region within the lung.

A pressure support system that comprises a patient circuit, a docking assembly, and a tank. The patient circuit delivers a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient. The docking assembly has an inlet and an outlet that is adapted to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas, and is also adapted to be connected with the patient circuit. The tank is constructed and arranged to be removably connected with the docking assembly, and enables the pressurized flow of breathable gas to pass therethrough. The tank is also adapted to contain a liquid such that a humidity level of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is elevated as the pressurized flow of breathable gas passes therethrough.

Methods, systems and devices are described for new modes of ventilation in which specific lung areas are ventilated with an indwelling trans-tracheobronchial catheter for the purpose of improving ventilation and reducing hyperinflation in that specific lung area, and for redistributing inspired air to other healthier lung areas, for treating respiratory disorders such as COPD, ARDS, SARS, CF, and TB. Trans-Tracheobronchial Segmental Ventilation (TTSV) is performed on either a naturally breathing or a mechanical ventilated patient by placing a uniquely configured indwelling catheter into a bronchus of a poorly ventilated specific lung area and providing direct ventilation to that area. The catheter can be left in place for extended periods without clinician attendance or vigilance. Ventilation includes delivery of respiratory gases, therapuetic gases or agents and evacuation of stagnant gases, mixed gases or waste fluids. Typically the catheter's distal tip is anchored without occluding the bronchus but optionally may intermittently or continuously occlude the bronchus. TTSV is optionally performed by insufflation only of the area, or by application of vacuum to the area, can include elevating or reducing the pressure in the targeted area to facilitate stagnant gas removal, or can include blocking the area to divert inspired gas to better functioning areas.

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing the volume of a patient's lung. A bronchial catheter (2) is introduced into a hyperexpanded lung area, and air is aspirated from there by means of an aspiration device (3). The associated segmental bronchus is then closed. According to the invention, the patient's spontaneous respiration is recorded by sensors (5), and aspiration of the air is carried out in synchrony with the patient's inhalation action. In order to prevent collapse of the associated segmental bronchus, a pressure generator is provided with which the associated segmental bronchus can be widened, by a compressed gas pulse, in synchrony with the aspiration. The pressure generator can be activated as a function of the aspirated air stream, which is monitored with a measuring device.

A separable double lumen endotracheal tube is disclosed having a first lumen and a second lumen and which are removably affixed together to allow the first lumen to be separated from the second lumen of the double lumen endotracheal tube and, if desired, to be subsequently affixed together again. Either lumen of the double lumen endotracheal tube can function alone for positive pressure ventilation, but normally the bronchial lumen will be removed from a patient and the tracheal lumen left in place to function alone to provide positive pressure ventilation as required by a patient. The double lumen endotracheal tube will, however, function to allow the bronchial lumen to remain in a patient subsequent to removal of the tracheal lumen as a matter of choice during a medical procedure.

A method for controlling breathing gas flow of a ventilator for assisted or controlled ventilation of a patient as a function of a tracheobronchial airway pressure of the patient. A ventilator tube, such as a tracheal tube or tracheostomy tube, can be introduced into a trachea of the patient and subjected to the breathing gas, and has an inflatable cuff and at least one lumen that is continuous from a distal end of the tube to a proximal end of the tube. An apparatus detects an airway pressure, in which the tracheobronchial airway pressure is ascertained by continuous or intermittent detection and evaluation of an intra-cuff pressure prevailing in the cuff of the tube inserted into the trachea. The breathing gas flow of the ventilator is controlled as a function of the intra-cuff pressure detected.

An exhalation valve assembly that controls the pressure of exhaled gas in a ventilation system is described. The exhalation valve assembly includes an actuator module that may be fixed to the ventilation system and a valve module, removable for cleaning or disposal, through which the exhaled gas flows and that controls the pressure and release of the exhaled gas to the environment. Other components may also be incorporated into the assembly including a filter module, a flow meter and a condensate trap.

Medical component systems are described in which individual hand-held components are enhanced by adjacent restraint and by combinations of function, including: suction devices with a port for regulating suction with single-finger-operable valve for repeatable incremental user control of suction-vacuum variation by aperture shapes like triangles and slots and tactile feedback means like plane changes for amplifying tactile feedback to a user to enhance distinguishing of control increments; clips and tubing restraints for attachment between devices; endotracheal tubes with feedback features so a user knows where the distal end is; wound kits and splash shields for use in combination with various irrigation sources; combination cough shields with medical components; endotracheal tube adapters with less dead space and improved flanges and monitoring ports; and improved long syringes and medical lights.

An intubation assistance apparatus includes a main body and an intubation assistance instrument detachably mounted to the main body. The intubation assistance instrument has an elongated insertion section for insertion into the trachea or its vicinity of a patient from the mouth. The insertion section of the intubation assistance instrument is provided with a groove for leading an intubation tube to the trachea of the patient and a scope guide bore for receiving a laryngoscope with a CCD and a white LED. A distal end portion of the scope guide bore is fluid-tightly (air-tightly) sealed. The scope guide bore is fluid-tightly (air-tightly) sealed in its entirety in a state that the intubation assistance instrument is mounted to the main body. A plate-like tongue piece protruding forward and having optical transparency is formed on a distal end portion of the insertion section.

A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.

This invention relates to an apparatus which is used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube to provide visual information during intubation. The visual information is used by a medical practitioner in order to successfully insert and position the endotracheal tube into the trachea of a patient who is being intubated.

An air passageway obstruction device includes a frame structure and a flexible membrane overlying the frame structure. The frame structure is collapsible upon advancement of the device into the air passageway, expandable into a rigid structure upon deploying in the air passageway and re-collapsible upon removal from the air passageway. The flexible membrane obstructs inhaled air flow into a lung portion communicating with the air passageway. The device may be removed after deployment in an air passageway by re-collapsing the device and pulling the device proximally through a catheter.

An aerosol transfer device (10) for medical aerosol generators comprises a body (12), fluidically coupled to a nebulizer (14) and to a patient interface (16). An ambient air intake (20) is formed into a lower body (12C). The body is shaped and configured to optimize mixing of ambient air from the ambient air intake and the aerosol generated by the nebulizer, resulting in the formation of an aerosol plume having optimum characteristics for delivery of the aerosol to the patient's pulmonary system, such as the central or deep lung regions. The shape and dimensions of the body are further designed to minimize aerosol deposition, thus improving delivery efficiency.

A visualization stylet suitable is provided for use with medical devices to illuminate and visualize the interior anatomy of a body cavity or organ, wherein the stylet includes a miniature camera, light source and on-board power source.

A laryngeal airway device includes an air tube with proximal and distal ends, and a sealing member attached to the distal end of the air tube. The sealing member includes an anterior surface adapted to seat in the throat, against the hyoid bone, and to stretch the laryngeal inlet. A hole extends through the anterior surface and the sealing member and communicates through an air passage with the distal end of the air tube. When the sealing member is seated in the throat, the hole is contained within the rim of the stretched laryngeal inlet, with which the anterior surface forms a seal that surrounds the hole. Airway patency is thereby ensured.

A long term oxygen therapy system having an oxygen supply directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to more efficiently treat hypoxia caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The system includes an oxygen source, one or more valves and fluid carrying conduits. The fluid carrying conduits link the oxygen source to diseased sites within the patient's lungs. A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating another aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve and an air carrying conduit.

A ventilatory support system which controls the flow of breathing gas to a patient based on the physiological requirements of the patient is disclosed. Gas pressure in the trachea of the patient is measured, and the delivery of breathing gas to the patient is controlled based on the sensed gas pressure. Depending on the physiological needs of the patient, a tracheal gas pressure limit and a breathing gas flow rate value are established. When the tracheal gas pressure limit is reached, the flow of breathing gas is reduced or terminated. The flow of breathing gas is resumed, for example, after a delay period, or after the tracheal gas pressure falls to a predetermined level.

A CPAP system for supplying humidified gases to a user is disclosed in which various interfaces are described for gas delivery. A mask cushion including a deformable cushion and thin sheath is described. A forehead rest with a horizontal pivot that is attached to the mask is disclosed. An outlet vent to reduce the noise from exhausted carbon dioxide is described. A mouthpiece is also described with an outlet diffuser including Heat Moisture Exchanger Material.

Airway apparatus and method of use are provided, in which the airway device includes a dual lumen airway having imaging apparatus, self-inflating balloons, and other sensors, thereby allowing rapid intubation and ventilation.

A closed suction system module is provided. In one embodiment, the closed suction system module comprises a coupling member configured to couple to a suction port of a multi-port manifold or endotracheal tube adapter (e.g., dual-port or tri-port adapter). In one embodiment, the closed suction system module comprises a suction catheter configured to clean the interior surfaces of body-inserted tubes or artificial airways (alone or in addition to suctioning natural airways or portions of the respiratory tract or other body lumens). The suction catheter may comprise a cleaning portion at a distal portion of the suction catheter (e.g., near the distal end or tip of the suction catheter). In some embodiments, the cleaning portion comprises at least one expandable cleaning member (e.g., balloon, sleeve, wiper).

A respiratory support ventilator apparatus is described that mechanically supports the work of respiration of a patient. The ventilator apparatus is highly portable and optionally wearable so as to promote mobility and physical activity of the patient, and to improve the overall health of the patient. The respiratory support ventilator may monitor a physical activity level and overall health status of the patient, and process this information. The information is used to track efficacy of the ventilation therapy relative to activity level and quality of life, and or to titrate or optimize the ventilation parameters to improve, maintain or optimize the physical activity level and overall health status of the patient.