Respiration assemblies and indicators

• US 6,378,522 B1
• Filed: 08/31/1999
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
• Original Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
• Inventors: Pagan, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SRIVASTAVA, VIRENDRA KUMAR
• Application Number:
  US09/386,227
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.14, 128/205.23, 128/202.22, 128/205.28, 128/202.27, 128/200.26, 128/205.13
• US Class Current: 128/207.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0413 with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases

Abstract

An indicator for detecting correct intubation of an endotracheal tube has a paper color-change element attached to a frame that is removably secured in a transparent connector in the machine end of the tube. A handle on the frame extends along the outside of the connector so that the indicator can be removed from the machine end of the connector by pulling the handle. The indicator prevents another connector being attached to the connector in the tube until after the indicator has been removed.

Claims

1. An endotracheal tube assembly comprising:

an endotracheal tube having a patient end and a machine end;

a transparent connector having a patient end and a machine end, said patient end of said connector being secured in said machine end of said endotracheal tube; and

an indicator assembly mounted in said connector, wherein said indicator assembly includes a frame and an indicator element mounted on the frame to extend within a lumen through said connector, wherein said frame includes a ring member and a bar member extending laterally of the ring member and having a portion thereof extending axially of the connector, wherein said frame is detachably secured in said connector wherein said indicator element is a strip of material attached with said bar member, said strip of material including a carbon dioxide color-change indicator chemical and wherein said indicator assembly is manually accessible externally of said connector such that said indicator assembly can be removed from the said machine end of said connector.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said indicator assembly has a part projecting over a mating surface of said connector to prevent said connector mating with another connector while said indicator assembly is secured with said connector.

3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said indicator assembly is a push fit in the said machine end of said connector.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said indicator assembly includes a handle extending along an outside of said connector by which said indicator assembly can be gripped to remove it from said connector.