Endobronchial tube with integrated image sensor

Abstract

An endobronchial tube comprising at least two lumens of different lengths for selectively associating with a patient about at least two locations relative to the Tracheal Carina. said tube comprising: a first lumen having an open distal end that associates proximally to the Carina within the Trachea, with a first inflatable cuff; a second lumen having an open distal end that extends distally, past the Carina and associates within one of the Left Bronchial branch and Right Bronchial branch with a second inflatable cuff; a dedicated image sensor lumen spanning the length of said first lumen, the dedicated image sensor lumen comprising an image sensor and illumination source disposed adjacent to the distal end of said first lumen, and configured to provide an image of the Tracheal bifurcation of the Tracheal Carina, the openings of the Left Bronchial branch, and the opening Right Bronchial branch; and at least one dedicated cleaning lumen disposed parallel with said dedicated image sensor lumen along the length of said endobronchial tube and wherein said cleaning lumen is configured to forms a cleaning nozzle at the distal end, wherein said cleaning nozzle is directed toward said image sensor lumen at its distal end.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to upper airway tubes and in particular, to an endobronchial tube with an integrated image sensor and light source.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Respiratory tubes for example endobronchial tubes, endotracheal tubes, tracheostomy tubes are used to ventilate at least a portion of the respiratory system or lungs of a subject. Such respiratory tubes may be inserted in a number of ways via a non-invasive approach through an orifice or cavity such as the oral or nasal cavity. Alternatively such tubes may be introduced to a body via a minimally invasive external incision creating a port for tube insertion for example through the trachea in a tracheotomy procedure.[0003]Such respiratory tubes may be provided as double lumen tubes, or single lumen tubes for selectively ventilating a portion of the respiratory system. For example endobronchial tubes, whether, double lumen tubes or a single lumen tube may be utilized for one-lung ven...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to an endobronchial tube that has an integrated camera and light source to provide continuous verification of correct placement of the tube. This allows a caregiver to detect any dangerous situations, such as cuff dislodgement, and provide sufficient time to react to the situation. The endobronchial tube with integrated image sensor has a dedicated lumen along its length, which is preferably provided paralleled with the length of the tracheal lumen or the bronchial lumen, or optionally the length of the dedicated image sensor lumen may be provided according to the length of the bronchial lumen. The image sensor is cleaned using a cleaning nozzle to ensure an open field of view distal to the image sensor. The invention provides for improved placement verification and risk detection during surgery, which may potentially save patient lives.

Problems solved by technology

However these procedures take time, technique and skill to perform and therefore it is not feasible to continuously monitor the tube's placement.

In particularly when the subject is moved during a procedure the tube's location may change leading to potentially dangerous displacement of the tube possibly suffocating the subject or inappropriate ventilation of the patient, for example not ventilating the correct portion of the respiratory system.

Verification by means of a bronchoscope is currently the gold standard, but none of the mentioned confirmation techniques provide continuous monitoring of the carina or provide for correct tube positioning.

Furthermore, drawbacks with respect to the design and sensitivity of the bronchoscope, render its cleaning process elaborate and often inefficient and costly process, that may lead to cross infection between subjects.

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