Endotracheal tube incorporating a drug-irrigation device

• US 5,146,916 A
• Filed: 01/03/1991
• Issued: 09/15/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Angelo S. Catalani
• Original Assignee: Angelo S. Catalani
• Inventors: Catalani, Angelo S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RACITI, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US07/637,078
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/203.12, 128/911, 128/912, 128/750, 604/43, 604/257, 604/261, 604/264, 604/280, 604/128, 604/40
• US Class Current: 128/207.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0443 Special cuff-wall materials A61M16/0481, A61M16/0422 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0479 above the cuff, e.g. giving access to the upper trachea
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0481 through the cuff wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0484 at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/911 Unilimb inhalation-exhalation breathing tubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

Abstract

An endotracheal tube is equipped for delivering a drug externally of the tube. The endotracheal tube includes a tube body having proximal end and distal ends, and at least one flexible irrigation cannula extending along the endotracheal tube body to its distal end. An irrigation diffuser means is attached to the irrigation cannula for spraying a drug delivered through the irrigation cannula externally of the endotracheal tube body. The endotracheal tube is particularly intended for artificial ventilation in surgical operations and in intensive resuscitation treatments. It is useful for the repeated administration and re-administration of drugs, for instance, of local anesthetics, anti-inflammatories and mucolytics in the course of intubation.

Claims

1. An endotracheal tube with provision for delivering a drug externally of the tube, comprising:

an endotracheal tube body having proximal and distal ends and a balloon portion at said distal end;

at least one flexible irrigation cannula extending along said endotracheal tube body to said distal end divided in its proximal portion into two branch cannulas;

an irrigation diffuser means comprising a pair of chambers respectively circumscribed by a pair of cuffs located proximally and distally with respect to said balloon portion, respectively, said cuffs each comprising a double wall, and outer wall of each cuff having a plurality of small holes for emitting a drug; and

a pair of grooves opening outwardly of said tube body for respectively containing said pair of cuffs without substantial protrusion of said cuffs beyond a main outer surface of said body.

2. An endotracheal tube according to claim 1 wherein said irrigation cannula is provided at its proximal end with a coupling adapted to connect it to a syringe.