Suction apparatus and connectors

• US 20080121236A1
• Filed: 11/20/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Smiths Group plc (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Group plc (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Field, Stephen James
• Application Number:
  US11/984,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20080121236A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0479 above the cuff, e.g. giving access to the upper trachea
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0486 Multi-lumen tracheal tubes

Abstract

A tracheal tube has a sealing cuff towards its patient end and a suction aperture just above the cuff. The suction aperture connects via a lumen with a suction line terminated by a connector. One end of the connector is tapered and has a port for connection to a suction source. The connector also has a side port in which the nose of a syringe can be inserted to inject a lavage fluid out of the suction aperture to help loosen secretions. When not in use, the side port is closed by a valve or by a closure cap with formations for sealing the two ports.

Claims

1. Suction apparatus comprising:

a medico-surgical device having a suction aperture, a suction line connected at one end in communication with the suction aperture and a connector mounted at an opposite end of said suction line, wherein said connector has a first port opening into a bore extending along said suction line and adapted to be connected with a source of suction, wherein the connector has a second port also opening into said bore along said suction line and adapted to be connected with a source of fluid for supply to said suction aperture, and wherein said connector has a closure for closing said second port when not in use.

2. Suction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said medico-surgical device is a tube.

3. Suction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said tube is a tracheal tube.

4. Suction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fluid is a lavage fluid.

5. Suction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said source of fluid is provided by a syringe having a nose arranged for insertion into said second port.

6. Suction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said closure is a valve.

7. Suction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said closure is a removable closure cap.

8. Suction apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that said cap is tethered with said connector.

9. Suction apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cap has respective formations for closing said first and second ports.

10. A tracheal tube comprising:

a shaft;

an inflatable sealing cuff encircling said shaft towards a patient end;

a suction aperture opening on an external surface of said tube adjacent an upper end of said cuff'"'"';

a flexible suction line attached at one end with said tube and communicating with said aperture;

a connector mounted at an opposite end of said suction line, said connector having a first port opening into a bore extending along said suction line and adapted to be connected with a source of suction, and a second port also opening into said bore along said suction line and adapted to be connected with a source of fluid for supply to said suction aperture; and

a closure for closing said second port when not in use.

11. A tracheal tube comprising:

a shaft;

an inflatable sealing cuff encircling said shaft towards a patient end;

a suction aperture opening on an external surface of said tube adjacent an upper end of said cuff'"'"';

a flexible suction line attached at one end with said tube and communicating with said aperture;

a connector mounted at an opposite end of said suction line, said connector having a first port opening into a bore extending along said suction line and adapted to be connected with a source of suction, and a second port also opening into said bore along said suction line and adapted to be connected with a source of fluid for supply to said suction aperture; and

a valve located in said second port, said valve being normally closed but being opened when the nose of a syringe is inserted and lavage fluid is dispensed.

12. A tracheal tube comprising:

a shaft;

an inflatable sealing cuff encircling said shaft towards a patient end;

a suction aperture opening on an external surface of said tube adjacent an upper end of said cuff'"'"';

a flexible suction line attached at one end with said tube and communicating with said aperture;

a connector mounted at an opposite end of said suction line, said connector having a first port opening into a bore extending along said suction line and adapted to be connected with a source of suction, and a second port also opening into said bore along said suction line and adapted to be connected with a source of fluid for supply to said suction aperture; and

a closure cap tethered to said connector and having closure formations that can close either one of both of the first and second ports.