Thin wall endotracheal tube

• US 5,429,127 A
• Filed: 07/06/1993
• Issued: 07/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Department Of Health And Human Services (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Department Of Health And Human Services (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Kolobow, Theodor
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deane, Jr., William J.
• Application Number:
  US08/085,948
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/4-8, 128/911, 128/204.18, 128/200.26, 604/281, 604/280, 604/282
• US Class Current: 128/207.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0425 Metal tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0431 with a cross-sectional shape other than circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0443 Special cuff-wall materials A61M16/0481, A61M16/0422 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0447 Bell, canopy or umbrella shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0459 one cuff behind another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0012 with embedded structures, e.g. coils, braids, meshes, strands or radiopaque coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0041 pre-formed, e.g. specially adapted to fit with the anatomy of body channels urethral catheters A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/005 with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/042 by rotating a mould around its axis of symmetry for concrete B28B21/30
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/085 by rotating the former around its axis of symmetry
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/20 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. moulding inserts or for coating articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/52 Measuring, controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/32 on a rotating mould, former or core
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/36 and impregnating by casting, e.g. vacuum casting
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0097 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/00 Tubular articles B29L2024/00 takes precedence ; catheters B29L2031/7542
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/753 Medical equipment; Accessories therefor bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7532 : Artificial members, protheses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/911 : Unilimb inhalation-exhalation breathing tubes

Abstract

An ultra-thin wire reinforced endotracheal tube which includes a novel sealing design adapted to fit in a complementary manner in a subject'"'"'s larynx. The endotracheal tube includes a laryngeal section which has a cross sectional shape and size that are complementary to a subject'"'"'s glottis. Preferably, the laryngeal section has an oval or egg-shaped cross section. A plurality of thin, pliable sealing "gills" are provided on the surface of the laryngeal section. The gills provide a fluid tight seal which does not harm a subject'"'"'s larynx. The endotracheal tube is reinforced with a metallic spring material. In a preferred embodiment, the metallic spring material is a shape memory alloy. The use of a shape memory alloy prevents damage to the endotracheal tube caused by distortion, such as kinking, crushing, etc.

Claims

1. A two-stage endotracheal tube which comprises:

a first generally cylindrical portion having a first diameter which, when in use, is inserted into a subject'"'"'s trachea, beyond the subject'"'"'s larynx;

a second generally cylindrical portion having a second diameter which, when in use, is positioned near the subject'"'"'s mouth, said second diameter being greater than said first diameter;

a tapered portion connecting said first and second generally cylindrical portions, a length of said second generally cylindrical portion adjacent said tapered portion being non-circularly shaped so as to be complementary to a subject'"'"'s glottis; and

a plurality of sealing means provided on said non-circular length of said second generally cylindrical portion, said plurality of seal means comprising thin, pliable gills which extend outward from said non-circular length of said second generally cylindrical portion, said gills having a thickness of about 0.02 to 0.075 mm,

wherein the wall thickness of said first and second generally cylindrical portions and said tapered portion is between about 0.15 mm and 0.35 mm, and said gills have a diameter which is between 50-200% of a diameter of said non-circular portion of said second generally cylindrical portion.

2. A two-stage endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said first and second generally cylindrical portions and said tapered portion each have a common, uniform wall thickness.

3. A two-stage endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein the wall thickness of said first and second generally cylindrical portions and said tapered portion is about 0.2 mm.

4. A two-stage endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said non-circular portion comprises an oval shape.

5. A two-stage endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said non-circular portion comprises an egg-shape.

6. A two-stage endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said first and second generally cylindrical portions and said tapered portion are reinforced with a spring material.

7. A two-stage endotracheal tube according to claim 6, wherein said spring material comprises a shape memory alloy.

8. A two-stage endotracheal tube according to claim 7, wherein said shape memory material comprises a Ti-Ni alloy.

9. A two-stage endotracheal tube according to claim 6, wherein said first and second generally cylindrical portions and said tapered portion each have a common, uniform wall thickness of between about 0.15 mm and 0.35 mm.

10. A two-stage endotracheal tube according to claim 9, wherein the wall thickness of said first and second generally cylindrical portions and said tapered portion is about 0.2 mm.

11. An ultra-thin walled wire reinforced endotracheal tube comprising:

a generally cylindrical tubular wall of a predetermined length and a thickness of between about 0.15 mm and 0.35 mm;

a spring wire material incorporated within said generally cylindrical tubular wall, said spring wire material comprising a superelastic shape memory alloy; and

a plurality of sealing means provided on a length of said generally cylindrical tubular wall, said plurality of seal means comprising thin, pliable gills which extend outward from said generally cylindrical tubular wall, said gills having a thickness of about 0.02 to 0.075 mm, and a diameter which is between 50-200% of a diameter of said length of said generally cylindrical tubular wall.

12. An ultra-thin walled wire reinforced endotracheal tube according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of said tubular wall is about 0.2 mm.

13. An ultra-thin walled wire reinforced endotracheal tube according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of sealing means are provided on an exterior surface of said tubular wall.

14. An ultra-thin walled wire reinforced endotracheal tube according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of sealing means comprises thin, pliable gills which extend outward from said non-circular length of said second generally cylindrical portion.

15. An ultra-thin walled wire reinforced endotracheal tube according to claim 11, wherein said shape memory material comprises a Ti-Ni alloy.