Single-Lumen Endobronchial Tube for Selective Lung Ventilation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical ventilation systems struggle with efficiently isolating and ventilating specific lungs during procedures like lung surgery, as conventional double-lumen endotracheal tubes and endobronchial blockers are cumbersome and require repositioning for selective lung ventilation.

Innovation Solution

A single lumen endobronchial tube with inflatable cuffs and a distal intraluminal balloon blocker allows selective ventilation of the left or right lung without repositioning, featuring tapered cuffs for efficient sealing and a beveled aperture for gas delivery, enabling remote inflation control through pilot tubes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional double-lumen endotracheal tubes are used for selective lung ventilation, then lung isolation can be achieved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome structure and repositioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelung isolation effectivenessVSAvoidtube structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tube is divided into distinct functional segments: a tracheal portion with first and second cuffs for tracheal sealing, a bronchial portion with a bronchial cuff for bronchial sealing, and an intraluminal balloon blocker for distal occlusion. Each segment can be independently inflated or deflated to achieve different ventilation configurations, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining reliable lung isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tube incorporates multiple inflatable and deflatable components that can be dynamically adjusted during the procedure. The first cuff, second cuff, bronchial cuff, and intraluminal balloon blocker can be independently controlled to adapt to different surgical requirements, eliminating the need for tube repositioning and reducing procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional endobronchial blockers are used for selective ventilation, then lung isolation can be achieved, but ease of operation worsens due to repositioning requirements during procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelung isolation effectivenessVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single lumen tube integrates multiple functions into one device: tracheal sealing (first and second cuffs), bronchial sealing (bronchial cuff), and distal occlusion (intraluminal balloon blocker). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate endobronchial blockers and their associated repositioning operations, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable lung isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple cuffs are used for sealing, then airway sealing effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway sealing effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tube merges multiple sealing functions into a single integrated structure. The first cuff, second cuff, and bronchial cuff are all part of one continuous tube system with a single lumen, allowing coordinated inflation and deflation through a unified control mechanism. This reduces the operational complexity of managing multiple separate devices while maintaining effective airway sealing throughout the trachea and bronchus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and precise selective ventilation of either lung without tube repositioning, enhancing surgical procedures by maintaining effective airway sealing and reducing trauma, while allowing real-time visualization and instrumentation access.

Implementation Method 1

a first endotracheal inflatable cuff positioned around an external surface of the endotracheal portion and adapted to expand radially outward for sealing against a trachea of a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The single lumen defines a single passageway that fluidly connects the aperture, the first opening, and the second opening with one another to selectively ventilate the left lung, the right lung, or both lungs of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS20260069807A1Medical tubes for selective mechanical ventilation of the lungs

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 POL GUILLERMO L

AI summary

An endobronchial tube is provided that includes a medical tube comprising an endotracheal portion and a bronchial portion having a common single lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the tube, a first endotracheal inflatable cuff for sealing against a trachea of a patient, a second endotracheal inflatable cuff positioned distal to the first endotracheal inflatable cuff for sealing against the trachea of the patient; a bronchial inflatable cuff positioned near a distal end of the medical tube after the first endotracheal inflatable cuff and the second endotracheal inflatable cuff, for sealing the left main stem bronchi of the patient, an intraluminal balloon blocker positioned along an inner surface of the bronchial portion for sealing the common single lumen at the distal end of the bronchial portion, and an aperture positioned between the endotracheal portion and the bronchial portion.