Endotracheal Tubes

Description of endotracheal tube

Field of the endotracheal tube

The present invention relates to the field of endotracheal tube. More particularly, this invention deals with an apparatus and process for placing an endotracheal tube so that one or both lungs may be ventilated during an operation.

Bacground of the endotracheal tube

It is a common practice to provide human medical patients with artificial ventilation during surgery or in emergency situations. For example, accident victims will frequently require CPR or intubation by a paramedic in an emergency vehicle or by an anesthesiologist in an operating room. There are other surgical procedures which require use of an oxygen mask

to collapse one lung. For example, taking a biopsy from the lung to gather information on an infection, repairing a lobar defect due to infant emphysema, removing tumors, repairing an abscess or doing an esophageal triage.

Intubation is accomplished by insertion of an endotracheal tube through the patient’s mouth or nasal passages into the airway passage. Such devices have generally comprised a relatively pliable tube with means for connecting it to a respirator or other air supply mechanism for introduction of air into the lungs. An improvement to endotracheal tubes includes an inflatable/deflatable bag-like structure or balloon “cuff” around the exterior of the tube. The balloon cuff is conventionally located in a position along the tracheostomy tube to engage the inner wall of the pharynx, larynx, or trachea depending upon the specific endotracheal tube design.

Summary of the endotracheal tube

The present invention is directed to an endotracheal tube which can be inserted through the mouth or nose and past the laryngeal mask airway of a patient and into the tracheal and mainstem bronchial passages. Extending from the tracheal portion of the tube is a bronchial portion which may be placed in either the left or right mainstem bronchus (singular) of the patient. The bronchial portion is angled with respect to the tracheal portion. The size of the angle corresponds to the angle between the trachea and the mainstream bronchus of the patient. Generally, these angles are age dependent and are known. The single lumen of the endobronchial tube of the present invention has an inner diameter sufficient to allow access through the single lumen to the patient’s lungs and respiratory system with additional instrumentation, as required. The bronchial portion of the endotracheal tube has a balloon situated on the inside of the tube which can be inflated or deflated.

Originally published here.

Inendotracheal tube  operation

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the proper handling technique and grip of my tube 10. With the endotracheal tube 10, the middle finger 20 is placed into the ring 11. The index finger 21 is placed on the uppermost boundary of the connector tip 16. Then the tube 10 is introduced into the patient’s mouth and advanced towards the glottis as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The middle finger 20 is then drawn up towards the endotracheal tube connector tip 16 using the index finger 21 for leverage, shown in FIG. 7. Again the amount of cord 12 withdrawn will determine the amount of curl. Therefore, patients with extremely anterior glottis, which normally contribute to difficult intubations, can be easily intubated by merely withdrawing more  cord 12 from the tunnel 14.

The tube of the present  oxygen mask provides a more reasonable and logical means of securing a difficult intubation. Instead of changing human anatomy by force to match the curl of a tracheostomy tube, force is applied to a tube to match the natural human anatomy, also missed attempts due to improper tube curl are eliminated because of my tube’s ability to change angles instantaneously.

In the pediatric form of my tube the tube 10 is fitted with a balloon 15 having a laryngeal mask airway connection 15A for the inflation of the balloon 15. In the uncuffed tube, that is one without a balloon 15, the tunnel 14 and cord 12 run on the top of the endotracheal tube 10 (as with the adult type) of the tunnel 14 and cord 12 are placed between the inner and outer walls of the endotracheal tube itself or the tunnel and cord run along the inside of the tube attached to the inner wall surface.

Among the many areas of application of my tube is the very dramatic Caesarean Section (operation involving delivery of baby by cutting into the womb). My tube would contribute greatly to the safety of the mother and fetus.

The number one cause of maternal death, as a result of a general anesthetic, is caused by pulmonary aspiration. This occurs when the stomach contents are regurgitated into the trachea and lungs. Therefore it is of momentous importance that the trachea be intubated as quickly as possible after the patient has been rendered unconscious and paralyzed. Intubation blocks off the trachea from stomach contents as well as secure an airway for oxygen and other gases. It can easily be seen that if the tube 10 does not match the anatomical curvature of the patient and the trachea can not be swiftly intubated a number of serious problems may present themselves as well as death to mother and fetus.

Originally published here.