Endotracheal tube system and method of use

• US 20050235998A1
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Emil J. Tresnak, Rick J. Tresnak
• Original Assignee: Emil J. Tresnak, Rick J. Tresnak
• Inventors: Tresnak, Emil J., Tresnak, Rick J.
• Application Number:
  US11/116,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20050235998A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.140
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0413 with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)

Abstract

An improved endotracheal tube system and method of use is provided. The improved endotracheal tube system includes a standard endotracheal tube, a housing with a first tube that may be positioned within an endotracheal tube and a second tube adapted for attachment to a bag-valve mask. The housing has a CO₂ detector within it. The improved endotracheal tube system may also have a stylet positioned within the endotracheal tube and the housing, a structure for directing air from the endotracheal tube unidirectionally to the carbon dioxide indicator, an exhaust port, and a seal or exhaust return tube over the exhaust port.

Claims

1. An interconnection to be placed between an endotracheal tube and bag-valve mask, the interconnection comprising:

a housing with a first tube for attachment to an endotracheal tube and a second tube for attachment to a bag-valve mask;

a carbon dioxide indicator within the housing, in gaseous communication with the endotracheal tube, and isolated from outside air;

the housing having at least one inlet orifice in the perimeter of the second tube, a carbon dioxide indicator covering the orifice, a barrier separating the carbon dioxide indicator from the outside air;

a structure for directing air from the endotracheal tube unidirectionally to the carbon dioxide indicator;

an outlet orifice in the barrier to promote unidirectional air flow; and

a removable seal over the outlet orifice.

2. The interconnection of claim 1 wherein four orifices are spaced around the second tube and the carbon dioxide indicator surrounds the second tube over the orifice and the structure is a fin above each orifice.

3. The interconnection of claim 1 wherein the outlet orifice is in the lower portion of the barrier and exhausts to the outside air.

4. A combination comprising:

an endotracheal tube;

a housing with a first tube attached to the endotracheal tube and a second tube for attachment to a bag-valve mask;

the housing having at least one orifice in the perimeter of the second tube, a carbon dioxide indicator covering the orifice, a barrier isolating the carbon dioxide indicator from the atmosphere;

a structure for directing air from the endotracheal tube unidirectionally to the carbon dioxide indicator;

a stylet placed within the endotracheal tube and the adapter to provide temporary rigidity to the endotracheal tube.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the structure is a one-way valve.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein the structure is a hollow tube attached to the orifice and extending toward the endotracheal tube.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein the structure is an air dam.

8. The combination of claim 4 wherein the structure is a one-way flap.

9. The combination of claim 4 wherein an exhaust port tube directs air from the indicator to the second tube.

10. The combination of claim 4 wherein the stylet includes a handle that incorporates the barrier isolating the carbon dioxide indicator from the atmosphere.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein the barrier is bell-shaped.

12. A method of placing an endotracheal tube within a patient and testing for placement within the patient'"'"'s trachea, the method comprising:

providing a bag-valve mask and an endotracheal tube, a housing attached to the endotracheal tube having a carbon dioxide indicator and an exhaust slit, a stylet within the endotracheal tube and the housing, and a seal over the exhaust slit;

placing the endotracheal tube within the patient;

displacing the seal over the exhaust slit;

removing the stylet from the endotracheal tube and the housing;

placing the bag-valve mask upon the housing and ventilating the patient;

determining proper placement within the patient'"'"'s trachea by observing the carbon dioxide indicator.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing hermetically sealed packaging for an assembly of the endotracheal tube, the housing, and the stylet;

removing the assembly from the packaging.

14. A medical device, comprising:

a unidirectional air flow carbon dioxide detector for exchanging air between an endotracheal tube and a bag-valve mask;

an endotracheal tube attached to the detector providing expired air to the detector.

15. The medical device of claim 14 further comprising a stylet within the detector and the endotracheal tube, wherein the stylet provides temporary rigidity to the medical device.

16. The medical device of claim 14 wherein the detector has a gas permeable indicator capable of detecting carbon dioxide.

17. The medical device of claim 14 wherein the endotracheal tube has at least one angled hole positioned to direct expired air to the detector in a unidirectional manner.

18. The medical device of claim 14 wherein the detector limits the measure of dead air space as the endotracheal tube.

19. The medical device of claim 14 wherein the detector includes:

a first tube having a bottom end for attachment to the endotracheal tube, a top end, a flange therebetween;

a second tube having a lower end with, at least one orifice, a carbon dioxide indicator in gaseous communication with the orifice, a hollow ring having a chamber in gaseous communication with the indicator, at least one exhaust port on the lower end of the hollow ring;

a flexible barrier between the exhaust port and the lower end of the hollow ring that occludes the exhaust port if a vacuum occurs from within the detector.

20. The medical device of claim 19 wherein the flexible barrier is O-shaped and fixedly engages the first tube top end over the flange.