Abstract: A device and method for determining and acting upon the pressure in a balloon sleeve which closes a tracheal tube in the trachea of a patient comprises an inflation cannula which is connected to a pump and valve arrangement for inflating the sleeve. A pressure-to-voltage converter is connected to the cannula for sensing an instantaneous static pressure in the cannula. A differentiator is connected to the converter for differentiating the static pressure to produce a signal corresponding to pressure variations in the sleeve. The varying voltage corresponding to the pressure variations is then rectified and integrated to produce a signal that rises and falls with rising and falling frequency of pressure variations in the sleeve. If the rate becomes too high or too low, a signal is generated which is then again integrated to provide for transient unacceptable conditions.

Abstract: A tracheal tube (1) for giving artificial respiration to a patient comprises a balloon cuff (7) for sealing. The respiration gas is blown in by producing excess pressure, and taken off by producing underpressure, in a respiration tube (11) having a relatively small diameter. To monitor the intratracheal pressure in the closed respiratory system, a pressure measuring cannula (14) is provided, so that a respiration within the desired intratracheal pressure range can be ensured, through an electronic control device (29), by a respirator (13) operating to blow in an exhaust respiratory gas.