Endotracheal Tube with Subglottic Secretion Suction and Detachable Suction Connection Line
An endotracheal tube assembly is disclosed. The endotracheal tube assembly includes an elongate tube having an outer wall, and a first connector disposed on the outer wall. The outer wall defines a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen therein, an elongate suction lumen therein, and a first suction lumen aperture therethrough, the first suction lumen aperture being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen. The first connector includes a first annular wall disposed within a second annular wall, where the first annular wall and the second annular wall extend away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube in a radial direction. An internal surface of the first annular wall defines a first flow passage, and a rim of the first annular wall defines a first connection aperture. The first connection aperture is in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen through the first flow passage.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/093,083, filed on Apr. 25, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/327,857, filed on Apr. 26, 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to an endotracheal tube. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an endotracheal tube with subglottic secretion suction and a detachable suction connection line.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONEndotracheal tubes are commonly used for airway management, mechanical ventilation, and as a drug delivery device when intravenous delivery cannot be established. An endotracheal tube is inserted through a process called intubation. During intubation, the endotracheal tube is inserted into the trachea through the patient's mouth, in order to keep the airway open and to allow air to reach the lungs. Endotracheal tubes often include a cuff to prevent air leaks during mechanical ventilation. This cuff is most commonly positioned at the distal end of the tube and can be inflatable.
Additionally, it is possible for undesirable subglottic secretions to collect around the top of the cuff. In order to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), it can be beneficial to remove these secretions by some means. One way to remove these secretions is to remove the endotracheal tube and then re-intubate the patient. However, continued re-intubation can be traumatic to the patient's trachea and is therefore not preferable. Alternatively, suction can be applied to remove these secretions through an additional lumen in the ET tube post intubation.
It is therefore desirable to provide a device and method for suctioning these subglottic secretions from the tracheal mucosa without having to remove the endotracheal tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in some embodiments an endotracheal tube that is capable of overcoming the disadvantages described herein at least to some extent is provided.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a connector to couple a suction lumen of an endotracheal tube to a source of suction includes a first connector component coupled to an opening in the suction lumen defined by an outer wall of the endotracheal tube. The connector also can include a second connector component having a first face configured to couple to the first connector component and having a second face configured to couple to a source of suction. The first connector component and the second connector component can be in fluid communication. Additionally, the first and second connector components can define a flow path for the suction of secretions from the suction lumen of the endotracheal tube.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, The first connector can include a detent and the second connector can include a groove. The detent can then couple with the groove to lock the first connector to the second connector. The first connector component can also include an end cap.
Additionally, the second face of the second connector component is coupled to a first end of a tube. The second end of the tube is coupled to a third connector component, which is configured to couple to a source of suction.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly can include a flange that is configured to obstruct at least a portion of the suction lumen proximal to the suction lumen opening. The first and second connector components can be made from a plastic, resin, or any other suitable material. The first connector can include a detent and the second component can include a corresponding groove, such that the groove and the detent couple to lock the first and second connector together. The detent and groove can further be configured to provide an air tight seal between the first connector and the second connector.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention an endotracheal tube includes an elongate tube having an outer wall. The outer wall defines a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen and an elongate suction lumen. The endotracheal tube can also include an inflatable cuff attached near a distal end of the elongate tube. The inflatable cuff can include a proximal end and a distal end and an inner surface and an outer surface. A connector to couple the suction lumen of the endotracheal tube to a source of suction includes a first connector component coupled to an opening in the suction lumen defined by an outer wall of the endotracheal tube. The connector also can include a second connector component having a first face configured to couple to the first connector component and having a second face configured to couple to a source of suction. The first connector component and the second connector component can be in fluid communication. Additionally, the first and second connector components can define a flow path for the suction of secretions from the suction lumen of the endotracheal tube. The first connector can also define an opening for passage of fluid in communication with the suction lumen. The connector opening can be equal to or larger than a width of the suction lumen.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention The first connector can include a detent and the second connector can include a groove. The detent can then couple with the groove to lock the first connector to the second connector. The first connector component can also include an end cap.
Additionally, the second face of the second connector component is coupled to a first end of a tube. The second end of the tube is coupled to a third connector component, which is configured to couple to a source of suction. The inner surface of the proximal end of the cuff is attached to the outer wall of the endotracheal tube and the outer surface of the distal end of the cuff is attached to the endotracheal tube.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly can include a flange that is configured to obstruct at least a portion of the suction lumen proximal to the suction lumen opening. The first and second connector components can be made from a plastic, resin, or any other suitable material. The first connector can include a detent and the second component can include a corresponding groove, such that the groove and the detent couple to lock the first and second connector together. The detent and groove can further be configured to provide an air tight seal between the first connector and the second connector.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, an endotracheal tube assembly includes an elongate tube having an outer wall defining an elongate central lumen, an elongate suction lumen, and a first and second suction lumen opening. An inflatable cuff can be attached near a distal end of the elongate tube just distal to the second suction lumen opening defined by the outer wall of the elongate tube. Additionally, a connector assembly can be included to couple the suction lumen of the endotracheal tube to a source of suction. The connector assembly can have a first end that couples to the first suction lumen opening. The first end can also define an opening for passage of fluid that is equal to or larger than a width of the first suction lumen opening and can be in communication with the suction lumen via the first suction lumen opening. The connector assembly can also have a second end that defines an opening in fluid communication with the opening defined by the first end of the connector assembly and the suction lumen. The second end can be configured to be connected to the source of suction.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the first end of the connector can include a flange that is configured to obstruct at least a portion of the suction lumen proximal to the first suction lumen opening. The connector assembly can be configured to provide an unobstructed fluid flow path from the suction lumen to the source of suction. Additionally, the connector assembly can be configured to provide an air tight seal between the suction lumen and the source of suction.
An aspect of the disclosure provides endotracheal tube assembly including an elongate tube having an outer wall, and a first connector disposed on the outer wall. The outer wall defines a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen therein, an elongate suction lumen therein, and a first suction lumen aperture therethrough, the first suction lumen aperture being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen. The first connector includes a first annular wall disposed within a second annular wall, where the first annular wall and the second annular wall extend away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube in a radial direction. An internal surface of the first annular wall defines a first flow passage, and a rim of the first annular wall defines a first connection aperture. The first connection aperture is in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen through the first flow passage.
Another aspect of the disclosure provides an endotracheal tube assembly including an elongate tube having an outer wall, an inflatable cuff attached near a distal end of the elongate tube, and a connector assembly to couple the elongate suction lumen to a source of suction. The outer wall of the elongate tube defines a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen and also defines an elongate suction lumen. The inflatable cuff has a proximal end and a distal end and an inner surface and an outer surface. The connector assembly includes a connector component coupled to an opening in the elongate suction lumen defined by an outer wall of the elongate tube. The connector component is in fluid communication with the suction lumen and defines a closed flow path for drawing secretions from the elongate suction lumen of the elongate tube. The connector component defines an opening for passage of fluid in communication with the elongate suction lumen. The connector component includes a flange that extends radially into the suction lumen, the flange being configured to seal the suction lumen against passing a flow through the suction lumen in a longitudinal direction.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof, herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below as part of the disclosure.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the disclosure be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The present invention provides in some embodiments, an endotracheal tube with subglottic secretion suction and a detachable suction line. The endotracheal tube is an elongate tube having an outer wall defining an elongate central lumen and an elongate suction lumen. An inflatable cuff is attached near a distal end of the elongate tube. The endotracheal tube also includes a connector to couple the suction lumen to a source of suction to remove subglottic secretions from the area above the cuff.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.
In one embodiment, the invention provides the ability to attach and detach a suction line to a standard endotracheal tube allowing the tube to be used as either a standard tube or as a subglottic secretion suction tube. The detachable suction line has been designed with a detent locking device for ease of connection and to reduce accidental disconnection. This reduces suction line restrictions, improving the suctioning rate of the subglottic secretions that normally pool above the cuff.
An embodiment of the invention modifies the standard endotracheal tube by adding the dorsal suction lumen and a sealable connection port thereto. The inflation cuff can be modified by inverting the top sleeve of the cuff when bonding to the tube, and is intended to decrease the space between the top of the cuff and the suction port for more efficient subglottic suctioning.
The parts utilized can consist of a conventional PVC tube with the various connectors made of common resins. The injection molded plastic connectors are designed with a detent locking mechanism that is used for the suction accessory line. The suction lumen line is typically bonded into the suction lumen which restricts the inner diameter (ID) of the tube. Thus, the suction tube ID is not restricted thus improving the suction capability. The interference between the suction lumen and the suction line is minimized with the interlocking systems, reducing the restrictions to the flow of secretions and making the device less prone for occlusions.
In one embodiment, the male connector is preferably placed at a dorsal side of the endotracheal tube centered with the upper opening of the suction lumen. It is preferred to be located above the 24 cm mark which prevents the male connector having contact with the mouth or teeth when the Endotracheal tube is in place. The suction line accessory has the female connector that is packaged separately and attach to the endotracheal tube male connector.
The design allows the attachment and detachment of the suction line connector from a standard endotracheal tube allowing the tube to be used as either a standard tube or as a subglottic secretion suction tube. This allows for subglottic secretion removal without re-intubation. The design features a connector with a sealing cap, permanently attached to the dorsal lumen, which can be opened and used with a separately packaged suction line with mating connector. The design of the tube port and extension line connectors improve the suction function through the endotracheal tube suction lumen by maintaining a constant lumen geometry, thus reducing the restriction to the flow of secretions.
The subject invention improves patient safety by providing the ability to attach the suction accessory line separately. This allows the use of a standard endotracheal tube across all patient populations and provide for subglottic secretion removal only where necessary without re-intubation. A classic example would be the patient that goes into surgery intubated with a standard ET tube, and subsequently requires unanticipated subglottic secretion removal. Currently this would require the patient to be extubated and re-intubated with an ET tube having a suction lumen. Clinical practice discourages extubating the patient except in the most serious cases due to the hazards involved with re-intubation which include but are not limited to increase risk of infection, loss of airway, and tracheal trauma The subject invention makes the subglottic suctioning more efficient. The male connector is attached to the upper opening of the dorsal lumen; and does not occlude or restrict the suction lumen as is evident with the competitor's design. The fluids and secretions are removed with less suctioning vacuum pressure which reduces the potential for tracheal hematomas. This will provide a cost-effective standard Endotracheal tube and a suction line accessory that can be used as is needed during any procedure.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, the disclosure is intended to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, because numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An endotracheal tube assembly, comprising:
- an elongate tube having an outer wall, the outer wall defining a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen therein, an elongate suction lumen therein, and a first suction lumen aperture therethrough, the first suction lumen aperture being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen; and
- a first connector disposed on the outer wall, the first connector including a first annular wall disposed within a second annular wall, the first annular wall and the second annular wall extending away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube in a radial direction,
- an internal surface of the first annular wall defining a first flow passage, a rim of the first annular wall defining a first connection aperture, the first connection aperture being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen through the first flow passage.
2. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one detent disposed on an outer surface of the second annular wall.
3. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second connector coupled to the first connector, the second connector including a third annular wall disposed between the first annular wall and the second annular wall.
4. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 3, wherein the second connector further includes a fourth annular wall disposed around the second annular wall.
5. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 4, further comprising at least one detent disposed on an outer surface of the second annular wall,
- wherein the fourth annular wall defines at least one groove therethrough, and
- wherein the at least one detent is disposed within the at least one groove.
6. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one detent consists of two detents, the at least one groove consists of two grooves, and each of the two detents is disposed in a corresponding one of the two grooves.
7. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 3, wherein an internal surface of the third annular wall defines a second flow passage, the second flow passage being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen through the first connection aperture for drawing secretions from the elongate suction lumen through the second flow passage.
8. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector further includes a flange that extends radially into the elongate suction lumen, the flange being configured to seal the elongate suction lumen against passing a flow through the elongate suction lumen in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube.
9. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 8, wherein the flange also extends into the elongate suction lumen in the longitudinal direction of the elongate tube.
10. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 8, wherein a substantially radial face of the flange extends into the elongate suction lumen proximal to the first suction lumen aperture.
11. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 5 wherein the at least one detent is configured to slide within the at least one groove by rotating the first connector about the radial direction relative to the second connector.
12. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 3, wherein the second connector is fluidly coupled to a suction tube, and the suction tube is in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen via the first flow passage of the first connector.
13. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 1, wherein a flow area of the first flow passage is not less than a flow area of the elongate suction lumen, the flow area of the first flow passage extends normal to the radial direction, and the flow area of the elongate suction lumen extends normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube.
14. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 1, further comprising an inflatable cuff attached to the elongate tube,
- wherein the outer wall of the elongate tube further defines a second suction lumen aperture therethrough, the second suction lumen aperture disposed between the inflatable cuff and the first suction lumen aperture along the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube, and
- wherein the second suction lumen aperture is in fluid communication with the first connection aperture via the elongate suction lumen.
15. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 14, wherein an end of the inflatable cuff proximal to the second suction lumen aperture is folded under itself, such that a first portion of an outer surface of the inflatable cuff faces away from the elongate tube, and a second portion of the outer surface of the inflatable cuff faces the elongate tube.
16. An endotracheal tube assembly comprising:
- an elongate tube having an outer wall, the outer wall defining a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen and also defining an elongate suction lumen;
- an inflatable cuff attached near a distal end of the elongate tube wherein the inflatable cuff has a proximal end and a distal end and an inner surface and an outer surface; and
- a connector assembly to couple the elongate suction lumen of the elongate tube to a source of suction, the connector assembly including a connector component coupled to an opening in the elongate suction lumen defined by an outer wall of the elongate tube,
- wherein the connector component is in fluid communication with the suction lumen and defines a closed flow path for drawing secretions from the elongate suction lumen of the elongate tube,
- wherein the connector component defines an opening for passage of fluid in communication with the elongate suction lumen, and
- wherein the connector component includes a flange that extends radially into the suction lumen, the flange being configured to seal the suction lumen against passing a flow through the suction lumen in a longitudinal direction.
17. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 16, wherein the connector component is formed from a plastic.
18. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 16, wherein the inner surface of the distal end of the inflatable cuff is attached to the outer wall of the elongate tube, and the outer surface of the proximal end of the inflatable cuff is attached to the elongate tube.
19. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 16, wherein a dimension of the opening of the connector component is equal to or larger than a width of the suction lumen.
20. The endotracheal tube assembly of claim 16, wherein a substantially radial face of the flange extends into the suction lumen proximal to the suction lumen opening.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 18, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 28, 2013
Applicant: Teleflex Medical Incorporated (Research Triangle Park, NC)
Inventors: Jorge Jimenez Perez (Raleigh, NC), Gary James Roth (Wake Forest, NC), Daniel Patrick Dwyer (Raleigh, NC)
Application Number: 13/945,703
International Classification: A61M 16/04 (20060101);