175 results about "Tracheostomy tubes" patented technology

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.

The preferred embodiments provide, e.g., a high quality flexible tracheostomy tube assembly including an outer tracheostomy cannula and a disposable, flexible inner cannula. In preferred embodiments, the product provides a single patient use, sterile device.

A tracheostomy system includes an outer multi-layered tube, which can be expanded or allowed to contract as necessary in order to receive various sizes of cannula tubes. A dilator is used to initially insert the outer tracheostomy tube into the tracheostoma. After the initial installation dilator is removed, various sizes of dilators having a cannula mounted about them can be inserted into the outer tracheostomy tube. The multilayered tube will then expand in response to insertion of the various sizes of dilator cannula assembly being placed. When the dilator is removed the cannula tube will remain in place to maintain the desired diameter tracheostomy tube. This provides a means in which the diameter of the tube can be changed without having to actually remove and reinsert a different tube.

A composite tracheostomy tube or cannula comprising a rigid inner tube and a relatively soft outer tube. One or more ducts or chambers are formed between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube. A sealing or mounting flange is attached to the composite tube adjacent one thereof. A balloon or inflatable cuff is attached to the outer surface of the outer tube adjacent the opposite end of the composite tube. A conduit for connection to a fluid source is provided to selectively inflate and / or deflate the inflatable cuff. An inner tube or cannula is removably inserted into the tracheostomy tube. The inner cannula includes a preferred gripping device at the proximal end thereof.

A method of operating a ventilator assembly having inhalation and exhalation passages communicating with one another, and a respiration assembly that can perform repetitive respiratory cycles. The method includes (a) connecting the conduit with an open end of an endotracheal tube positioned within the trachea so that the open end leads into the airway below the vocal cords, (b) repetitively cycling the respiration assembly so that during the inhalation phase, gas in the inhalation passage flows through the endotracheal tube and into the airway, and during the exhalation phase, an exhalation valve is maintained relatively closed and the exhaled gases flow pass the vocal cords and out of the mouth thereby facilitating the patient's ability to speak, and (c) monitoring ring the pressure within at least one of the passages during both phases for determining the pressure within the patient for use in operating the ventilator assembly.

A tracheostomy tube that enables speech. The tube is provided with an inside tube portion to be set in a trachea, an outside tube portion connected to a ventilator, and a balloon provided on the outer circumference of the inside tube portion. The balloon is connected to the inside tube portion so that the inside and outside of the balloon cannot communicate with each other and the inside tube portion has a hole for communicating the inside of the interior of the inside tube portion with the inside of the balloon.

The self-cleaning and sterilizing endotracheal and tracheostomy tube may include a combination of an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy tube and a suction catheter that decreases the tendency of mucus and bacteria to adhere to the inner surfaces of the thereof. The endotracheal tube and the catheter may have a hydrophobic surface exhibiting the lotus effect, which may be formed either by femtosecond laser etching or by a coating of ploy (ethylene oxide). Alternatively, the endotracheal tube and the catheter may have a lumen coated with a photocatalyst. The endotracheal tube may also have a light source and a fiberoptic bundle mounted thereon, the optical fibers extending into the lumen to illuminate the photocatalyst.

The present invention relates to devices used in the management of bodily airways including tracheostomy tubes, laryngectomy tubes, bronchial stents, bronchial Y-tubes, bronchial TY-tubes, and nasal stents. The devices may comprise a protective coating to prevent the accumulation of mucus, crusting and granulation on or around airway management devices, as well as prevent adhesion to tissues which can cause bleeding upon removal, and prevent build-up of blood, or blood clots, to the stent.

A molded tracheostomy tube may provide enhanced comfort for a patient. A unitary molded coating over areas of the tracheostomy tube that come into contact with the patient's skin may prevent irritation. Further, the overmolding manufacturing process may allow the tracheostomy tube assembly to incorporate features that allow for greater ease of movement for a patient, such as features that allow flexing at the connection point of the tracheostomy tube to other medical devices.

A method is disclosed for treating benign conditions, such as enlarged tonsils and / or adenoids located in a patient's throat or nasopharynx, or soft tissue lesions located in a patient's oropharynx or larynx. According to the method, a space containing the patient's nasopharynx, oropharynx or pharynx and larynx is isolated from the patient's trachea and lungs using an inflatable cuff tracheostomy tube or nasotracheal tube inserted in the patient's trachea. The cuff is inflated to occlude the trachea. The patient is placed in a supine position, whereupon at least a portion of the space containing the nasopharynx and / or oropharynx and larynx is filled with saline. An endoscope is then inserted into the space to view the operative site in which the tonsils or tissue lesion are to be treated. An electrosurgical instrument having an active tissue treatment electrode and a return electrode connected to an electrosurgical generator is then inserted into the space, either along side the endoscope or through the endoscope's working channel. The generator is then operated to apply a radio frequency voltage between the active and return electrodes of the electrosurgical instrument, whereby a conduction path is formed between the active and return electrodes, at least partially through the saline, whereupon the active electrode is manipulated to debulk or otherwise treat the soft tissue lesion or enlarged tonsils and / or adenoids.

A tracheostomy tube for use with a neck plate having an aperture. The tracheostomy tube comprises an elongate outer cannula having a lumen and configured to extend through the aperture; an elongate inner cannula having a lumen and an inflatable cuff, and configured to extend through the lumen of the outer cannula such that the cuff extends beyond a distal end of the outer cannula; and an interlocking mechanism configured to releasably secure a proximal end of the inner cannula to a proximal end of the outer cannula.

The present invention is an inner pressure indicator of a cuff comprising, a housing possessing on one end an opening that can connect to a cuff inflating tube of a tracheostomy tube with a cuff or of an endotracheal tube and on the other end of said housing possessing an opening to which a valve that prevents the reduction of inner pressure is equipped with, said housing is characterized by being equipped with an inner pressure indicating device of cuff and also the inner pressure of the cuff can be regulated by said opening with a valve by way of said inner pressure indicating device of the cuff.

An improved tracheostomy tube providing a decreased tendency to produce rubbing, pressure necrosis, ulceration and scarring of the tracheal mucosa. The tube typically includes a rigid proximal section, a flexible intermediate section, a rigid distal section, and a beveled distal tip. The flexible intermediate section has a smooth surface and bends easily in response to pressure asserted by the tracheal walls, allowing the distal rigid section of the tube to remain in a parallel orientation relative to the tracheal lumen, The distal tip of the tube is beveled to provide a greater cross-sectional area at the tube's distal section. This beveled distal tip prevents the distal section of the tube from becoming obstructed by the back wall of the trachea or causing erosion of the tracheal mucosa. The distal tip also has a beaded or rounded edge, which further minimizes the risk of damage to the tracheal mucosa and provides a guide to the clinical care specialist during suctioning.

A tracheostomy system includes an outer multi-layered tube, which can be expanded or allowed to contract as necessary in order to receive various sizes of cannula tubes. A dilator is used to initially insert the outer tracheostomy tube into the tracheostoma. After the initial installation dilator is removed, various sizes of dilators having a cannula mounted about them can be inserted into the outer tracheostomy tube. The multilayered tube will then expand in response to insertion of the various sizes of dilator cannula assembly being placed. When the dilator is removed the cannula tube will remain in place to maintain the desired diameter tracheostomy tube. This provides a means in which the diameter of the tube can be changed without having to actually remove and reinsert a different tube.

There is provided a device for removing a tracheotomy dilator. The dilator has a body and a tip which are detachably attached. After dilating the trachea, the body is removed, leaving only the tip in the tracheal opening. The dilator tip loading catheter has a distal end adapted to engage the proximal end of the dilator tip, a proximal handle, and a mid-section therebetween. The device also has a cannula therethrough. The proximal handle can detachably attach to the proximal end of the tracheostomy tube. The distal end and mid-section of the device are sized to fit into the cannula of a tracheostomy tube. The distal end and mid-section of the device may be inserted into a tracheostomy tube, the distal end then mating with the proximal end of the dilator tip. The entire assembly may be moved into the trachea. Once the trach tube is in position, the loading catheter and tip may be withdrawn through the trach tube.

There is provided a balloon cuffed tracheostomy tube with a balloon designed so as to enhance the tube's anchorability without sealing the tracheal stoma. The tracheostomy tube device includes a conventional curved hollow tube. The distal end of the tube is adapted for insertion through a tracheal stoma and into the tracheal lumen of a patient's throat. The device further includes an inflatable balloon enveloping a portion of the tube. The balloon has a distal portion substantially centered about and attached to the distal end portion of the tube. The balloon also has a proximal portion attached to the bend region of the tube and positioned substantially off-center relative to the proximal portion of the tube and about the bend region below the proximal plane of the device. Upon inflation, this configuration provides for expansion of the balloon around the distal end portion of the tube and the proximal end portion of the tube below the proximal plane of the device to seal the trachea below the tracheal stoma and to avoid sealing the trachea above the tracheal stoma. This configuration of the balloon should allow secretions to exit the stoma so that they do not accumulate and become a possible source of ventilator acquired pneumonia.

A tracheostomy tube is proved. The tracheostomy tube includes an outer cannula that comprises an outer cannula connector comprising a first keying feature. The tracheostomy tube further comprises an inner cannula comprising an inner cannula connector including a second keying feature configured to complement the first keying feature when the inner cannula is inserted into the outer cannula. Further, a method is provided, whereby the method comprises inserting an outer cannula into a patient's trachea, and inserting an inner cannula into the outer cannula such that a keying feature on an inner cannula connector of the inner cannula engages a complementary keying feature on an outer cannula connector of the outer cannula.

A device and method for suctioning mucus and secretions from a patient's tracheostomy tube is described. The device utilizes a reusable squeezable bulb with check valves to regulate air flow in and out of the squeezable bulb and a disposable mucus trap and suction catheter to suction a tracheostomy tube effectively and discretely without using an electrically powered suction machine.

A tracheotomy tube apparatus includes an outer cannula having first and second ends, and a fenestration along the length of the outer cannula between the first and second ends. The apparatus further includes a first inner cannula sized for insertion into the outer cannula. The first inner cannula has a raised region substantially to close the fenestration when the first inner cannula is inserted into the outer cannula. The apparatus further comprises a second inner cannula for insertion into the outer cannula when the first inner cannula is removed therefrom. The second inner cannula includes a resilient region which lies adjacent the fenestration when the second inner cannula is properly oriented within the outer cannula, a valve at an end thereof and a region between the resilient region and the end thereof which provides a passageway between the second inner cannula and the outer cannula when the second inner cannula is properly oriented within the outer cannula. A first coupler is provided on an outer end of the outer cannula. Second couplers are provided on outer ends of the first and second inner cannulae. The first and second couplers are provided with means for guiding the first and second inner cannulae into the predetermined orientations with respect to the outer cannula. The outer cannula further comprises an inflatable cuff formed by a sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a third region between the first and second ends. The sleeve is located around the outer cannula with at least one of the first and second ends of the sleeve between the outer cannula and the third region of the sleeve. The outer cannula further comprises a conduit extending from a first end of the outer cannula to the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. The first inner cannula includes a second conduit to evacuate a region of a trachea of a wearer adjacent the cuff. The second conduit includes an opening which lies adjacent the closest point in the fenestration to the cuff when the first inner cannula is in a use orientation in the outer cannula.

An HME for a tracheostomy tube has a flexible outer housing of a gas-permeable material containing an HME element of discrete particles, granules or the like of a hygroscopic material. The particles are contained between the outer housing and an inner wall of a foam. The inner wall has a ciliated surface facing the end of the tube, which acts to distribute gas over the surface of the HME element. The HME is attached to a flange on an inner cannula by means of a removable adhesive. The HME may include a suction port through a self-closing aperture, which makes a wiping seal with a suction catheter inserted in the tube.

Tracheostomy apparatus includes a needle with a doppler ultrasound transducer mounted within it close to its patient end and connected to a monitor. Two electrodes are insulated from one another on the external surface of the needle close to its patient end. The electrodes are also connected to the monitor. The needle supports a catheter on its outer surface. As the needle is inserted through tissue overlying the trachea, the ultrasound transducer detects the presence of any nearby blood vessels and gives an audible indication on the monitor. The monitor also responds to a rise in impedance between the electrodes indicative of entry of the end of the needle into the trachea so that the needle can be removed to leave the catheter in place. A guide is then inserted through the catheter and the path into the trachea is enlarged with a dilator sufficiently to receive a tracheostomy tube.

A device and method used to cover a stoma when a patient who has had a tracheostomy tube no longer requires a tracheostomy tube and has been decannulated. The device utilizes a curved plate with an annular foam or air-filled cushion, an adhesive and a trach tie to hold the device in place over the stoma. The device effectively blocks the stoma to allow for speech, promote wound healing and prevent infection.

Apparatus for assisting phonation in a wearer of a tracheostomy tube having a first end lying outside the trachea of the wearer in the use orientation, a second end lying inside the trachea of the wearer in the use orientation, and a first lumen coupling the first and second ends of the tracheostomy tube. The tracheostomy tube may or may not include a fenestration through a sidewall of the tracheostomy tube coupling the first lumen to the outside of the tracheostomy tube. The apparatus includes a cannula for insertion into the first lumen from the first end of the tracheostomy tube. The cannula includes a first end lying outside the first end of the tracheostomy tube in the use orientation, a second, opposite end, and a second lumen coupling the first and second ends of the cannula. If the tracheostomy tube has a fenestration, the second end may lie within the first lumen adjacent and toward the first end of the tracheostomy tube from the fenestration, or generally between the first end of the tracheostomy tube and the fenestration, or adjacent the second end of the tracheostomy tube. A one-way valve is provided at the second end of the cannula.

The present invention provides a medical device such as an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy tube having a distal inflation cuff and a high surface area structure disposed radially around the tube on a proximal side of the cuff. The high surface area structure includes an antimicrobial agent. The relatively higher surface area of the structure and radial extension thereof from the tube allows the antimicrobial agent to better extend into a secretion pool collected in the region around the intersection of the cuff and tube within a patient's trachea, so as to better prevent biofilms from forming and thereby prevent infections such as ventilator assisted pneumonia (VAP).

An instrument for providing ventilation access to the trachea has a hollow needle with a sharp tip, a tube extending within the needle and a spring urging the tube to project a short distance from the patient end of the needle. The rear end of the tube carries two colored flags one of which is visible at a time in a transparent window towards the machine end of the needle. When the patient end of the instrument is pushed through neck tissue overlying the trachea the inner tube is pushed rearwardly so that a flag of one color is visible. When the patient end of the instrument enters the trachea the spring can push the inner tube forwardly so that the other flag is visible. In one embodiment the instrument carries a dilator and tracheostomy tube that can be slid off the needle after penetration. In another embodiment, ventilation equipment is connected to the rear of the inner tube and the patient is ventilated through the instrument itself.

To provide a tracheostomy tube which can be easily attached to and detached from an incision site and in which sputum or the like does not readily longer, a tracheostomy tube A includes a lumen body 10 having an airway securing lumen 10b, a connector section 11 formed at the base end portion of the lumen body 10, and a cuff 13 which is formed on the outer circumference of the tip end portion of the lumen body 10 and which can be expanded and contracted. A circumferential wall 10a of the lumen body 10 defines a cuff-expanding lumen 15 which puts the surface portion of the connector section 11 in communication with the inside of the cuff 13. it also defines a suction lumen 14 allowing the surface portion of the connector section 11 to communicate with the surface portion of the lumen body 10. A coating layer exhibiting surface lubricity in moisture is formed on the surface of the tracheostomy tube A and the inner surface of the lumen body 10 in which the airway securing lumen 10b is formed.