Abstract: An airway device (14), that is used to maintain a clear airway in a patient, e.g. for artificial ventilation during surgery, comprises an inflatable cuff (26), which is inflated when in position in a patient's airway (24). The inflated cuff (26) provides a seal to maintain the device (14) in position in a patient's airway (24), and to prevent leakage of infected oropharangeal secretions into the patient's lungs. A method and apparatus (10) for monitoring: leaks in the pressure system of the device (14) that includes the cuff (26); blockage in the pressure system, and/or malpositioning of the airway device (14) during use.

Abstract: A catheter for tracheal or bronchial suction including a unit for displaying the artificial airways, the trachea and the bronchial tree so as to allow the removal of secretions; in particular, the catheter for tracheal or bronchial suction includes optical fibers, a microcamera or another visualization technology positioned in the distal end. The operator can identify the position of the distal end, of the artificial airways, of the trachea and of the bronchial tree on the screen. Therefore it is possible to ensure that the tube of the catheter is adjacent to or inside collections of fluid secretions or other material to be sucked up. The suction can be selectively applied to avoid damage to the mucosa and to facilitate the more complete elimination of secretions.

Abstract: A catheter for tracheal or bronchial suction including a unit for displaying the artificial airways, the trachea and the bronchial tree so as to allow the removal of secretions; in particular, the catheter for tracheal or bronchial suction includes optical fibers, a microcamera or another visualization technology positioned in the distal end. The operator can identify the position of the distal end, of the artificial airways, of the trachea and of the bronchial tree on the screen. Therefore, it is possible to ensure that the tube of the catheter is adjacent to or inside collections of fluid secretions or other material to be sucked up. The suction can be selectively applied to avoid damage to the mucosa and to facilitate the more complete elimination of secretions.

Abstract: An airway device (14), that is used to maintain a clear airway in a patient, e.g. for artificial ventilation during surgery, comprises an inflatable cuff (26), which is inflated when in position in a patient's airway (24). The inflated cuff (26) provides a seal to maintain the device (14) in position in a patient's airway (24), and to prevent leakage of infected oropharangeal secretions into the patient's lungs. A method and apparatus (10) for monitoring and controlling the pressure in the inflatable cuff (26) is described, which, in one embodiment, controls the pressure about a setpoint pressure, whilst preventing loss of sealing pressure during a patient's respiratory cycle. In other embodiments, the method and apparatus monitors for: leaks in the pressure system of the device (14) that includes the cuff (26); blockage in the pressure system, and/or malpositioning of the airway device (14) during use.

Abstract: An airway device (14), that is used to maintain a clear airway in a patient, e.g. for artificial ventilation during surgery, comprises an inflatable cuff (26), which is inflated when in position in a patient's airway (24). The inflated cuff (26) provides a seal to maintain the device (14) in position in a patient's airway (24), and to prevent leakage of infected oropharangeal secretions into the patient's lungs. A method and apparatus (10) for monitoring and controlling the pressure in the inflatable cuff (26) is described, which, in one embodiment, controls the pressure about a setpoint pressure, while preventing loss of sealing pressure during a patient's respiratory cycle. In other embodiments, the method and apparatus monitors for: leaks in the pressure system of the device (14) that includes the cuff (26); blockage in the pressure system, and/or malpositioning of the airway device (14) during use.

Abstract: An airway device (14), that is used to maintain a clear airway in a patient, e.g. for artificial ventilation during surgery, comprises an inflatable cuff (26), which is inflated when in position in a patient's airway (24). The inflated cuff (26) provides a seal to maintain the device (14) in position in a patient's airway (24), and to prevent leakage of infected oropharangeal secretions into the patient's lungs. A method and apparatus (10) for monitoring: leaks in the pressure system of the device (14) that includes the cuff (26); blockage in the pressure system, and/or malpositioning of the airway device (14) during use.

Abstract: A catheter for tracheal or bronchial suction including a unit for displaying the artificial airways, the trachea and the bronchial tree so as to allow the removal of secretions; in particular, the catheter for tracheal or bronchial suction includes optical fibers, a microcamera or another visualization technology positioned in the distal end. The operator can identify the position of the distal end, of the artificial airways, of the trachea and of the bronchial tree on the screen. Therefore, it is possible to ensure that the tube of the catheter is adjacent to or inside collections of fluid secretions or other material to be sucked up. The suction can be selectively applied to avoid damage to the mucosa and to facilitate the more complete elimination of secretions.

Abstract: An airway device (14), that is used to maintain a clear airway in a patient, e.g. for artificial ventilation during surgery, comprises an inflatable cuff (26), which is inflated when in position in a patient's airway (24). The inflated cuff (26) provides a seal to maintain the device (14) in position in a patient's airway (24), and to prevent leakage of infected oropharangeal secretions into the patient's lungs. A method and apparatus (10) for monitoring and controlling the pressure in the inflatable cuff (26) is described, which, in one embodiment, controls the pressure about a setpoint pressure, whilst preventing loss of sealing pressure during a patient's respiratory cycle. In other embodiments, the method and apparatus monitors for: leaks in the pressure system of the device (14) that includes the cuff (26); blockage in the pressure system, and/or malpositioning of the airway device (14) during use.

Abstract: The disclosed method of monitoring the cuff pressure of an LMA provides an estimation of a patient's anesthetic state. Cuff pressure tends to rise and fall during IPPV and spontaneous breathing. One of the disclosed methods activates an alarm if an instantaneous value of the cuff pressure exceeds selected levels. This method may also automatically adjust the selected levels. One of the disclosed methods activates an alarm if activity of the cuff pressure as observed over a period of time exceeds a selected level.

Abstract: A reversibly operable motor is mechanically connected to automatically position the piston of an air syringe that is pneumatically connected to the inflatable/deflatable seal ring or cuff of a laryngeal mask airway device (LMA) that is installed in a patient, who is being ventilated and/or anaesthetized via the airway of the LMA device. Air pressure in the cuff corrected as necessary to conform to a predetermined pressure level. The system continuously monitors for abnormal patterns of response, with audibly and visually reported warnings to the anaesthetist; these warnings include system detection of a patient's incipient sign of premature awareness while still under surgery, system detection and warning of a system or LMA malfunction, and continual microprocessor survey and integration of historical data to determine decremental recovery from administered anaesthesia.

Abstract: The disclosed method of monitoring the cuff pressure of an LMA provides an estimation of a patient's anesthetic state. Cuff pressure tends to rise and fall during IPPV and spontaneous breathing. One of the disclosed methods activates an alarm if an instantaneous value of the cuff pressure exceeds selected levels. This method may also automatically adjust the selected levels. One of the disclosed methods activates an alarm if activity of the cuff pressure as observed over a period of time exceeds a selected level.

Abstract: A reversibly operable motor is mechanically connected to automatically position the piston of an air syringe that is pneumatically connected to the inflatable/deflatable seal ring or cuff of a laryngeal mask airway device (LMA) that is installed in a patient, who is being ventilated and/or anaesthetized via the airway of the LMA device. Ideally, (i) the air at the head end of the syringe, plus (ii) the air contained in the inflatable cuff of the LMA, plus (iii) the air contained in their interconnection, is a “substantially constant” volume which is shared at these three locations but which is automatically shifted by piston displacement, such that air pressure in the substantially constant volume is caused to correct as necessary for conformance to a predetermined level of set-point pressure.