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.