Abstract: An endotracheal tube comprises a main lumen for delivering a breathing gas into a lung of a patient, and a cuff, mounted at a distal end of the endotracheal tube, to be located in the subglottal region of the patient. The endotracheal tube also comprises a cuff inflation lumen for inflating the cuff, and at least three additional lumens, other than the main lumen and the cuff inflation lumen, configured for delivering liquid to the subglottal region, for suctioning liquid from the subglottal region, and for venting the subglottal region.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring flow in a cuffed endotracheal tube device is disclosed. The system comprises: a connector panel having at least three connectors adapted for establishing fluid communication with proximal ends of at least a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a cuff inflation line of the endotracheal tube device. The system can further comprise a processing unit and a control unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to instruct the control unit to execute various operations, including at least a rinsing procedure, a suctioning procedure, a cuff inflation procedure, a leak detection procedure and a venting procedure, and to select any of the first and the second fluid lines for any of the rinsing, suctioning, leak detection and venting procedures. In some embodiments, the system exploits the cuff as sensor to sense pulmonary data.

Abstract: A fluid distribution device comprises a disposable enclosure, and disposable fluid connectors connectable to compatible panel connectors of a control system. The fluid distribution device can also comprise, within the enclosure, a two manifolds connected to each other via a plurality of fluid interconnectors each being controllable by a valve system. One manifold can comprise a fluid inlet for receiving fluid from one of the panel connectors, and the other manifold can comprise a plurality of fluid distribution ports adapted for establishing fluid communications between the fluid interconnectors and fluid lines external to the fluid distribution device.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring flow in a cuffed endotracheal tube device is disclosed. The system comprises: a connector panel having at least three connectors adapted for establishing fluid communication with proximal ends of at least a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a cuff inflation line of the endotracheal tube device. The system can further comprise a processing unit and a control unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to instruct the control unit to execute various operations, including at least a rinsing procedure, a suctioning procedure, a cuff inflation procedure, a leak detection procedure and a venting procedure, and to select any of the first and the second fluid lines for any of the rinsing, suctioning, leak detection and venting procedures. In some embodiments, the system exploits the cuff as sensor to sense pulmonary data.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring flow in a cuffed endotracheal tube device is disclosed. The system comprises: a connector panel having at least three connectors adapted for establishing fluid communication with proximal ends of at least a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a cuff inflation line of the endotracheal tube device. The system can further comprise a processing unit and a control unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to instruct the control unit to execute various operations, including at least a rinsing procedure, a suctioning procedure, a cuff inflation procedure, a leak detection procedure and a venting procedure, and to select any of the first and the second fluid lines for any of the rinsing, suctioning, leak detection and venting procedures. In some embodiments, the system exploits the cuff as sensor to sense pulmonary data.

Abstract: In an alerting and controlling system, there is a measuring device and a controller. The measuring device is connectable to an endotracheal tube associated with a cuff inflatable below the vocal cords of a subject, for measuring at least one measure being indicative of the presence of leakage of secretions from above the cuff to the lungs of the subject. The controller adjusts inflation of the cuff responsively to the level of the at least one measure such as to reduce or prevent leakage of secretions from above the cuff to the lungs, and alerts that the endotracheal tube is malpositioned in the airway of the subject if an inflation pressure of the cuff exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A pressure regulating syringe comprises a barrel assembly terminating with a tubular tip positionable in fluid communication with a fluid chamber, a plunger that is manually and axially displaceable within a barrel of the barrel assembly, a pressure sensor mounted onto the plunger adjacent to its distal end, for generating one or more electrical signals representative of a change in pressure within the fluid chamber, circuitry housed within the plunger for processing the generated signals, and a display mounted on the plunger for displaying an output indicative of the processed signals. The output is changeable upon axial displacement of the plunger when the tubular tip is positioned in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, which is for example a cuff surrounding a medical tube. Fluid is delivered by manually manipulating a fluid delivery element in response to the displayed output until a desired fluid delivery operation is performed.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube comprises a main lumen for delivering a breathing gas into a lung of a patient, and a cuff, mounted at a distal end of the endotracheal tube, to be located in the subglottal region of the patient. The endotracheal tube also comprises a cuff inflation lumen for inflating the cuff, and at least three additional lumens, other than the main lumen and the cuff inflation lumen, configured for delivering liquid to the subglottal region, for suctioning liquid from the subglottal region, and for venting the subglottal region.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube for mechanically ventilating patients is disclosed. The endotracheal tube comprises a distal end for insertion into the patient's airway, past the vocal chords, through the subglottal region, and into the patient's lung; and a proximal end for connection to a mechanical ventilator. The endotracheal tube further comprises a cuff at the distal end of the endotracheal tube to be located in the subglottal region of the patient below the vocal chords, an inflating lumen for inflating the cuff, and a suction lumen having a suction inlet port leading from the outer surface of the endotracheal tube, and to be located in the subglottal region, for evacuating secretions and/or rinsing fluid from the subglottal region during the mechanical ventilation of the patient.

Abstract: A method of monitoring tracheal pressure of a subject is disclosed. The subject is ventilated with breathing gas flowing via an endotracheal tube having an inflatable cuff. The method comprises monitoring sealing of the trachea by the cuff using a close loop control, varying a ventilation pressure thereby varying flow level of the breathing gas, monitoring a response pressure within the cuff in response to the variation, and calculating the tracheal pressure using the ventilation pressure variations, the cuff response pressure and the flow level. In some embodiments, an under-pressure is applied for suctioning fluid carrying secretions, synchronously with variations in the tracheal pressure.

Abstract: A method of intubating a subject is disclosed. The method comprises inserting an endotracheal tube into the tracheal airway of the subject; inflating a cuff associated with the endotracheal tube within the airway below the vocal cords; measuring a level of at least one measure being indicative of leakage of secretion past the cuff to the lungs; comparing the level of the measure with an optimal level of the measure; and adjusting inflation of the cuff based on the comparison so as to generally minimize leakage of secretion from above the cuff to the lungs, while minimizing pressure associated damages to the airway. The measure(s) can be carbon dioxide concentration, a proxy measure from which such concentration can be inferred, or the level of one or more additives delivered to a subject during intubation.

Abstract: A method of intubating a subject is disclosed. The method comprises inserting an endotracheal tube into the tracheal airway of the subject; inflating a cuff associated with the endotracheal tube within the airway below the vocal cords; measuring a level of at least one measure being indicative of leakage of secretion past the cuff to the lungs; comparing the level of the measure with an optimal level of the measure; and adjusting inflation of the cuff based on the comparison so as to generally minimize leakage of secretion from above the cuff to the lungs, while minimizing pressure associated damages to the airway. The measure(s) can be carbon dioxide concentration, a proxy measure from which such concentration can be inferred, or the level of one or more additives delivered to a subject during intubation.

Abstract: A pressure regulating syringe comprises a barrel assembly terminating with a tubular tip positionable in fluid communication with a fluid chamber, a plunger that is manually and axially displaceable within a barrel of the barrel assembly, a pressure sensor mounted onto the plunger adjacent to its distal end, for generating one or more electrical signals representative of a change in pressure within the fluid chamber, circuitry housed within the plunger for processing the generated signals, and a display mounted on the plunger for displaying an output indicative of the processed signals. The output is changeable upon axial displacement of the plunger when the tubular tip is positioned in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, which is for example a cuff surrounding a medical tube. Fluid is delivered by manually manipulating a fluid delivery element in response to the displayed output until a desired fluid delivery operation is performed.

Abstract: A device for irrigating a body cavity is disclosed. The device comprises a first pump and a second pump being operatively linked via a manually-operated actuator member. The actuator member has at least a mode in which the actuator member activates the first pump to eject an initial volume of fluid out of the device, and a mode in which the actuator member activates the second pump to eject fluid out of the device and simultaneously activates the first pump to withdraw fluid into the device.

Abstract: A method of intubating a subject is disclosed. The method comprises inserting an endotracheal tube into the tracheal airway of the subject; inflating a cuff associated with the endotracheal tube within the airway below the vocal cords; measuring a level of at least one measure being indicative of leakage of secretion past the cuff to the lungs; comparing the level of the measure with an optimal level of the measure; and adjusting inflation of the cuff based on the comparison so as to generally minimize leakage of secretion from above the cuff to the lungs, while minimizing pressure associated damages to the airway. The measure(s) can be carbon dioxide concentration, a proxy measure from which such concentration can be inferred, or the level of one or more additives delivered to a subject during intubation.

Abstract: A device for irrigating a body cavity is disclosed. The device comprises a first pump and a second pump being operatively linked via a manually-operated actuator member. The actuator member has at least a mode in which the actuator member activates the first pump to eject an initial volume of fluid out of the device, and a mode in which the actuator member activates the second pump to eject fluid out of the device and simultaneously activates the first pump to withdraw fluid into the device.

Abstract: A method of monitoring tracheal pressure of a subject is disclosed. The subject is ventilated with breathing gas flowing via an endotracheal tube having an inflatable cuff. The method comprises monitoring sealing of the trachea by the cuff using a close loop control, varying a ventilation pressure thereby varying flow level of the breathing gas, monitoring a response pressure within the cuff in response to the variation, and calculating the tracheal pressure using the ventilation pressure variations, the cuff response pressure and the flow level. In some embodiments, an under-pressure is applied for suctioning fluid carrying secretions, synchronously with variations in the tracheal pressure.

Abstract: A method of intubating a subject is disclosed. The method comprises inserting an endotracheal tube into the tracheal airway of the subject; inflating a cuff associated with the endotracheal tube within the airway below the vocal cords; measuring a level of at least one measure being indicative of leakage of secretion past the cuff to the lungs; comparing the level of the measure with an optimal level of the measure; and adjusting inflation of the cuff based on the comparison so as to generally minimize leakage of secretion from above the cuff to the lungs, while minimizing pressure associated damages to the airway. The measure(s) can be carbon dioxide concentration, a proxy measure from which such concentration can be inferred, or the level of one or more additives delivered to a subject during intubation.

Abstract: A method of intubating a subject is disclosed. The method comprises inserting an endotracheal tube into the tracheal airway of the subject; inflating a cuff associated with the endotracheal tube within the airway below the vocal cords; measuring a level of at least one measure being indicative of leakage of secretion past the cuff to the lungs; comparing the level of the measure with an optimal level of the measure; and adjusting inflation of the cuff based on the comparison so as to generally minimize leakage of secretion from above the cuff to the lungs, while minimizing pressure associated damages to the airway. The measure(s) can be carbon dioxide concentration, a proxy measure from which such concentration can be inferred, or the level of one or more additives delivered to a subject during intubation.