Abstract: A tracheal tube assembly has a tracheal tube carrying an inflatable cuff and an inflation tube for the cuff. A novel inflator for the cuff has serially avenged pilot and control balloons, with the control balloon having a higher compliance than the pilot balloon and being connected directly to the inflation tube. Inlet and outlet valves are mounted in a support tube extending through the pilot balloon and into the control balloon. Both valves are check valves, open by pressing a pin on the valve element. To open the outlet valve, an opening head is resiliently connected to the end of the support tube inside the control balloon.

Abstract: A tracheal tube assembly includes a dual balloon system upstream from the tracheal cuff and located externally to the patient. A pre-determined amount of air may be injected through a one-way valve into the innermost balloon which is of relatively low compliance. Expansion of the inner balloon passively expands the high compliance outer balloon. When the inner balloon is preloaded the system is ready for use. Opening of a control valve selectively interconnects the inner balloon with the surrounding relatively high compliance outer balloon via a high resistance inlet and with the tracheal cuff via a low resistance inlet so that the tracheal cuff is preferentially inflated. Equalization of pressure in the system rapidly occurs and this pressure is determined and maintained at a constant level by the characteristics of the high compliance outer balloon. The control switch can be positioned to allow the tube to function in a non-pressure regulated mode as in the conventional tube.