Catheter tip for intratracheal ventilation and intratracheal pulmonary ventilation

• US 5,186,167 A
• Filed: 05/20/1991
• Issued: 02/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Department Of Health And Human Services
• Original Assignee: United States Department Of Health And Human Services
• Inventors: Kolobow, Theodor
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Asher, Kimberly L.
• Application Number:
  US07/702,479
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.26, 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/204.18, 128/204.24, 128/204.25, 604/94, 604/96
• US Class Current: 128/207.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0009 with sub-atmospheric pressure, e.g. during expiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/042 with separate conduits for in-and expiration gas, e.g. for limited dead volume
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/32 with radio-opaque indicia

Abstract

A method and apparatus for intratracheal ventilation (ITV) and intratracheal pulmonary ventilation (ITPV) in which a catheter positioned in a patient'"'"'s trachea at the carina supplies a constant supply of fresh oxygen containing gas to flush anatomical dead space. By positioning the catheter in the patient'"'"'s trachea, the dead space of the trachea is bypassed and the trachea is only utilized for expiration. The catheter includes a catheter tip which directs the constant supply of fresh oxygen containing gas in a manner so as to create sub-atmospheric pressures near the carina and thus allows control of intratracheal airway pressures during the entire respiratory cycle and prevents overinflation of the lungs.

Claims

1. A method of providing ventilatory assistance to a patient which comprises:

positioning a distal end of a catheter in an area near the carina of a patient;

supplying a continuous supply of an oxygen containing gas mixture to the patient through the catheter;

providing a tubular member attached to the distal end of said catheter;

providing said tubular member with a closed distal end and a proximal end having at least one exit hole directed toward the proximal end of said catheter;

attaching said tubular member to the distal end of said catheter;

leaving a gap between the exterior wall of said catheter and the interior said tubular member;

creating a sub-atmospheric pressure beyond the distal end of said catheter, near the patient'"'"'s carina by directing said continuous supply of oxygen containing gas through said catheter, out the distal end of said catheter, through said gap and said at least one exit opening in a direction towards the proximal end of said catheter.

2. A method of providing ventilatory assistance accordingly to claim 1, further comprising the step of choosing a pressure at which to deliver said oxygen containing gas so as create the desired sub-atmospheric pressure near the patient'"'"'s carina.

3. A method of providing ventilatory assistance according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said gap as an annular opening.

4. A method of providing ventilatory assistance according to claim 3, further comprising the step of providing said annular opening with a radial gap of between about 0.005 to 0.020 inches.

5. A method of providing ventilatory assistance according to claim 1, further comprising the step of creating a sub-atmospheric pressure between 0 and -8 cm H₂ O.

6. A means for creating a sub-atmospheric pressure near the carina of a patient, said means comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior wall surface;

a tubular member attached to the distal end of said catheter, said tubular member having an interior surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one exit opening on the proximal end of said tubular directed toward the proximal end of said catheter;

a gap between the exterior wall surface of said catheter and the interior surface of said tubular member; and

a supply of gas flowing from the proximal end of said catheter, through said catheter, out the distal end of said catheter, along the interior surface of said tubular member, out the at least one exit opening, and through said gap towards said proximal end of said catheter.

7. A catheter according to claim 6, wherein said at least one exit port comprises an annular opening.

8. A catheter according to claim 7, wherein said annular opening has a gap of between about 0.005 and 0.020 inches.