Surface energy assisted fluid transport system

• US 7,204,252 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2002
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eidon, LLC
• Original Assignee: Eidon, LLC
• Inventors: Johnson, Roger N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett; Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOSTER GREENE, DINNATIA JO
• Application Number:
  US10/321,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20030145860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/207.16, 128/207.18, 128/200.26
• US Class Current: 128/207.15
• 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 16/0404 with means for selective or partial lung respiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0459 one cuff behind another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0479 above the cuff, e.g. giving access to the upper trachea
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0486 Multi-lumen tracheal tubes

Abstract

A system, device or method uses surface energy to assist in fluid transport or separation. One example includes removing mucus from a subject'"'"'s lungs during mechanical ventilation of the subject using a tracheal tube. At least one wicking fluid pickup port is located more distal or more proximal than a sealing device between the tracheal tube and the trachea. Surface energy assists in introducing mucus into the port. A peristalsis or other pump is used to remove from the subject the wicked-in liquid. Ventilation is not impaired by the mucus removal.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

inserting a tube into a subject'"'"'s trachea;

obstructing airflow at a first location outside of the tube and inside the trachea;

ventilating at least one of the subject'"'"'s lungs through the tube;

wicking fluid, at a location that is proximal to the first location; and

drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject,

wherein the drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject comprises matching a flow rate at which the wicked fluid is drawn out of the subject to a mucus generation rate of the subject.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obstructing airflow comprises inflating a cuff.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject comprises using a peristalsis pump to provide a pressure for drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the wicked fluid drawn out of the subject in a holding receptacle external to the subject.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing mucus toward at least one wicking fluid pickup port.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising limiting a pressure buildup, at a wicking fluid pickup port occluded by tissue.

7. A method comprising:

inserting an outer cannula of a two-piece inflatable cuff tracheal tube into a subject'"'"'s trachea;

inflating the cuff to obstruct airflow between the outer cannula and the trachea;

inserting an inner cannula of the two-piece inflatable cuff tracheal tube into the outer cannula;

ventilating at least one of the subject'"'"'s lungs through the inner cannula;

wicking fluid, using a wicking fluid pickup portal carried by the inner cannula, at a location that is proximal to the cuff; and

drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject,

wherein the drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject comprises matching a flow rate at which the wicked fluid is drawn out of the subject to a mucus generation rate of the subject.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject comprises drawing a substantially contiguous liquid column through a lumen using a peristalsis pump, and further comprising storing the wicked fluid drawn out of the subject in a holding receptacle external to the subject.

9. A method comprising:

inserting a tube into a subject'"'"'s trachea;

obstructing airflow at a first location outside of the tube and inside the trachea;

ventilating at least one of the subject'"'"'s lungs through the tube;

wicking fluid, at a location that is distal to the first location; and

drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject,

wherein the drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject comprises matching a flow rate at which the wicked fluid is drawn out of the subject to a mucus generation rate of the subject.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the obstructing airflow comprises inflating a cuff.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject comprises using a peristalsis pump to provide a pressure for drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising storing the wicked fluid drawn out of the subject in a holding receptacle external to the subject.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising directing mucus toward at least one wicking fluid pickup port.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising limiting a pressure buildup, at a wicking fluid pickup port occluded by tissue.

15. A method comprising:

inserting an outer cannula of a two-piece inflatable cuff tracheal tube into a subject'"'"'s trachea;

inflating the cuff to obstruct airflow between the outer cannula and the trachea;

inserting an inner cannula of the two-piece inflatable cuff tracheal tube into the outer cannula;

ventilating at least one of the subject'"'"'s lungs through the inner cannula;

wicking fluid, using a wicking fluid pickup portal carried by the inner cannula, at a location that is distal to the cuff; and

drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject,

wherein the drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject comprises matching a flow rate at which the wicked fluid is drawn out of the subject to a mucus generation rate of the subject.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the drawing the wicked fluid out of the subject comprises drawing a substantially contiguous liquid column through a lumen using a peristalsis pump, and further comprising storing the wicked fluid drawn out of the subject in a holding receptacle external to the subject.