Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cleaning a medical device tube, for example a catheter tube. The distal end portion of the tube has a distal opening and at least one side opening adjacent to the distal opening. The distal end of the tube is disposed in a closed chamber with the distal opening generally opposite from a first orifice defined in the chamber. A liquid is introduced into the chamber and is drawn into the distal opening in the tube, for example by a suction force. A different fluid medium, such as air, is drawn through the first orifice and into the distal opening in the tube. A turbulent flow path is established with the fluid medium wherein the medium is drawn through the first orifice, into the distal opening in the tube, out the side opening in the tube, and back into the distal opening in the tube. This turbulent flow path enhances the cleaning action of the liquid introduced into the chamber for cleaning the distal end portion of the tube within the chamber.

Abstract: A percutaneous tracheostomy assembly has a hollow needle carrying a cannula with a hub at its rear end abutting a hub on the needle. A channel-shape stop is clipped onto the cannula and needle so that its rear end abuts the hub of the cannula. The stop has a laterally-extending flange at its forward end. The length of the stop is such that the tip of the needle and the forward end of the cannula are positioned within the trachea when the flange abuts the skin of the neck, without the risk of the needle contacting the posterior wall of the trachea.

Abstract: An ET guide is provided which is preferably made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon®. The distal end is of a reduced profile so that the guide can be left in place, with the ET removed in the operating room just prior to a tracheostomy. If for any reason problems are encountered in the tracheostomy procedure, the guide of the present invention, having been left in after the removal of the ET, can facilitate a reinsertion of the ET to avoid danger to the patient from a decrease in oxygen saturation. At the same time, the reduced distal profile allows the guide to remain in place during the tracheostomy procedure without obstructing the area of the incision for the tracheostomy. The guide can remain in place until the tracheostomy is successfully concluded, at which point it can be optionally removed.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tracheotomy has been used to assist patients who require mechanical ventilation. Tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure for intensive care patients. The goals of tracheotomy are to bypass the upper airway, facilitate removal of tracheobronchial secretions, prevent aspiration of gastric contents, and to control the airway for prolonged mechanical ventilation. METHOD: The hypothesis was to improve the design of the current tracheostomy tube in order to make it easier to use and to eliminate nearly all of the disadvantages found in prior tracheostomy tubes. RESULTS: This device is an improved tracheostomy tube designed with the balloon cuff (18), guide balloon (26), balloon connector (32) and guide balloon valve (24) located on the inner cannula (12). The inner cannula (12) will be inserted into another tube called the outer cannula (14), which has been inserted into an incision or stoma into the patient's trachea between the vocal cords and carina.

Abstract: A speaking valve for a tracheostomy tube which is disposed in the first end of the tube protruding from the throat of the patient. The valve has guiding ribs and a retainer to retain a ball within the end of the tube. The flow of air around the ball is unrestricted to reduce the force required to move the ball when the patient inhales and exhales. A spherical chamber is formed in which the ball is disposed. The tracheostomy tube with the valve in the first end presents a low profile.

Abstract: A dilator (10) for creating tracheostomies in one pass. Dilator (10) includes a generally linear shaft (12) extending from a proximal end (14) and beginning at a distance therefrom, gradually and continuously through a curved distal portion (16) of continuously decreasing diameter (from about 38 french) to a distal tip portion (18) of small diameter of about 12 french at distal end (20). The outer surface of the insertable portion is treated or hydrophilically coated to minimize friction, and the gradual taper gradually widens the tracheal entrance opening (44) between tracheal rings (46,48) with minimal trauma. The wall thickness gradually decreases from the linear shaft (12) to the soft distal tip portion (18). The continuing curve of the distal portion (16) enables the increasingly longer inserted portion of the dilator to remain situated in the trachea (50) during insertion and for the distal tip portion to clear the posterior tracheal wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating air from the body cavity of the patient during a collapsed lung condition which includes, an air delivery tube portion which is inserted through the skin and into the wall of the body cavity, the air delivery tube portion of the apparatus include a body portion, a first upper threaded end, and a bore extending through the body portion to accommodate air flow through the air delivery tube; there is also provided a trocar member, including a body portion insertable through the bore of the air delivery tube, with a pointed end partially protruding out of the second lower end of the tube for piercing the body cavity wall during insertion of a portion of the air delivery tube into the body cavity; an extender portion engageable to the first upper end of the air conveying tube after the tube has been inserted into the body cavity and the trocar member has been removed from the air delivery tube, for providing a point of delivering air flow through the air delivery tube from the body cavi

Abstract: An apparatus for performing emergency tracheotomies having a first cylinder having a distal end in a substantially cone shape and a threaded proximal end. An internal hollow cylinder has a distal end open in a frustum of a cone shape. The hollow interior cylinder receives the first cylinder. An external hollow cylinder has a distal end open in a frustum of a cone shape. The external hollow cylinder is slidably received over the hollow interior cylinder. A ring is slidably received coaxially over the hollow external cylinder. The ring stops the forward movement of the device into a desired position. The device also includes a second cylinder with the distal end in the shape of a hemisphere. After initial inserting of the device into the trachea, the first cylinder is removed and the second cylinder is inserted into the hollow interior cylinder for further insertion of the device without injuring the posterior tracheal wall.

Abstract: Tracheal gas insufflation (TGI) therapy is performed by a bypass valve and a controller which control a flow of TGI gas to a TGI catheter inserted into an endotracheal tube in the tracheal of a patient. The bypass valve is activated into a pass-through state to admit the TGI gas into the catheter and into a bypass state to divert the TGI gas from the TGI catheter. Potentially dangerous over-pressure may be sensed and the TGI gas flow terminated, but then quickly resumed after the over-pressure condition passes. Selectively applying and diverting the TGI gas allows phasic TGI therapy to be performed using heated and humidified gas and also allows the heat and humidity levels of the TGI gas to be maintained during continuous TGI therapy.

Abstract: A respiratory function monitoring device comprising a flow sensor and a conversion device is herein disclosed. Also disclosed are structures for carrying out an auto-zero calibration, a purging function, and temperature compensation. Methods for implementing the auto-zero calibration, the purge function, and the temperature compensation are also disclosed.