Irrigation apparatus and method for suction catheters
First Claim
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1. Suction catheter apparatus comprising:
- an elongate flexible bag having two ends;
a first connector fitting coupled to one end of the bag;
a second connector fitting coupled to the other end of the bag;
an endotracheal tube coupled to the first connector fitting for introduction to the trachea of a patient to be treated;
a catheter tube anchored to the second connector fitting and extending through the bag and the first connector fitting into the endotracheal tube; and
a liquid moving pump mounted to the first connector fitting for connection to a source of irrigation fluid, said pump having an operator member situated adjacent the first connector fitting so as to be operable by a digit of a hand holding the first connector fitting.
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Abstract
A cased suctioning catheter assembly with a protective flexible sheath around the catheter tube, has a thumb or finger operable pump located near the patient end of the catheter assembly. This pump receives irrigation fluid from a bag hanging on an IV stand and, when operated, pumps it into an irrigation lumen in the suction catheter on an as-needed basis during suctioning. Thereby one hand of the administrator can both stabilize the cross piece at the patient end of the suction catheter assembly and operate the irrigator, while the other hand controls vacuum flow as needed for the suctioning function.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. Suction catheter apparatus comprising:
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an elongate flexible bag having two ends; a first connector fitting coupled to one end of the bag; a second connector fitting coupled to the other end of the bag; an endotracheal tube coupled to the first connector fitting for introduction to the trachea of a patient to be treated; a catheter tube anchored to the second connector fitting and extending through the bag and the first connector fitting into the endotracheal tube; and a liquid moving pump mounted to the first connector fitting for connection to a source of irrigation fluid, said pump having an operator member situated adjacent the first connector fitting so as to be operable by a digit of a hand holding the first connector fitting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of irrigating a suction catheter and comprising the steps of:
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holding a patient end fitting of a sheathed catheter tube apparatus in place adjacent a trachea entrance, with one hand; holding a machine coupling end of the catheter tube apparatus with the other hand; and pumping irrigation fluid to the catheter tube with a digit of the one hand operating the pump while holding the patient end fitting with the one hand. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification