Endotracheal tube for mechanical ventilation

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to medical devices, methods, and kits. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved endotracheal tubes or patient ventilation tubes which prevent the leakage of proximal secretions to the distal airways.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to medical devices, methods, and kits. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved endotracheal tubes or patient ventilation tubes which prevent the leakage of proximal secretions to the distal airways.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Mechanical ventilation by placement of endotracheal and other ventilation tubes can be a necessity for patients for a variety of reasons. For example, patients receiving anesthetics may require ventilation to temporarily take over their natural breathing mechanism. Here mechanical ventilation is used only for a relatively short period of time. Patients suffering from respiratory failure, in contrast, may be intubated and ventilated for days, weeks, or even longer while in intensive care. Ventilation tubes which enter the trachea through a patient's mouth or nose are generally referred to as endotracheal tubes. Ventilation tubes which are inserted through an incision in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention provides improved ventilation devices, ventilation device kits, and methods for ventilating patients. The present invention specifically relates to improved ventilation tubes which prevent the leakage of proximal secretions to the distal airways. Whereas in double-cuffed ventilation tubes, proximal secretions typically accumulate above the proximal positioned cuff or primary cuff and the distal positioned cuff or secondary cuff is typically used as a secondary seal, the present invention provides devices and methods which provide a positive pressure in the region between the primary and secondary cuff, thereby avoiding leakage of the secretions into the inter-cuff chamber.

[0011]In conventional double-cuffed systems the barriers to prevent leakage are physical barriers (the cuffs) that nevertheless show leakages, regardless the material the cuffs are made of. The inventor has now found that pressurization of the chamber formed by the ventilation tube, the primary and secondary cuff and the wall of the trachea seems to be essential for avoiding that proximal secretions reach the distal airways. The positive pressure in the inter-cuff chamber seems to form a barrier that reduces further leakage to a minimum. The inventor therefore proposes a double-cuffed ventilation device which further comprises means for providing a continuous positive pressure in said inter-cuff chamber. The pressurization of said inter-cuff chamber is established by providing the ventilation tube according to the present invention with a pressurization lumen for pressurizing said inter-cuff region, said pressurization lumen having an external port near the proximal end of said ventilation tube and an internal port positioned between said primary and secondary cuff. Said pressurization lumen may be connected to a pressure regulator that continuously measures and adapts pressure in the inter-cuff chamber.

[0012]The inventor has found that the continuous positive pressure in the inter-cuff chamber generates an upward air flow which “pushes” secretions that tend to leak alongside the proximal cuff into the direction of the oropharynx where they can remain or can be aspirated easily.

Problems solved by technology

The occurrence of VAP leads to increased duration of ventilation and ICU stay and is associated with a high attributable mortality.

VAP also leads to more and specific antibiotic use, increasing the risk of development of multidrug resistant bacteria.

In spite of the use of these new types of endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes, the leakage of the proximal secretions to the distal airways still occurs.

Images