Endotracheal tube coupling adapters
First Claim
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1. A biofilm collection adapter system for capturing biofilm removed from an endotracheal tube by a cleaning device, the system comprising:
- an endotracheal tube coupling adapter, the endotracheal tube coupling adapter comprising;
a distal coupling member configured to couple to a universal connector of an endotracheal tube;
a main port that is configured to be generally coaxial with a main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter and the endotracheal tube upon coupling of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter to the universal connector of the endotracheal tube;
a first side port configured to couple to a ventilator for providing ventilation to a patient;
a one-way valve within a lumen of the main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter configured to prevent air escape from the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; and
a biofilm collection member, the biofilm collection member comprising;
an elongate shaft;
wherein a distal end of the elongate shaft is dimensioned to extend to a transition zone between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the universal connector of the endotracheal tube;
an air vent located on the elongate shaft that is configured to provide continuous airflow from the ventilator to the endotracheal tube while the biofilm collection member is inserted within the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; and
a reservoir portion located at a proximal end of the elongate shaft, configured to collect biofilm removed from the endotracheal tube b a cleaning device,wherein the biofilm collection member is configured to be removably inserted within the main port of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter and advanced until the distal end of the elongate shaft contacts the universal connector such that when the cleaning device is removed from the endotracheal tube the removed biofilm is retained within the biofilm collection member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Endotracheal tube coupling adapters for facilitating collection and removal of biofilm or any debris from endotracheal tubes for disposal or laboratory testing are disclosed. The endotracheal tube coupling adapters may be adapted for use in closed suction systems. The endotracheal tube coupling adapters may be configured to remain coupled to an endotracheal tube from the time of intubation until the time of removal and to receive visualization, cleaning, and/or biofilm collection devices or members without being removed from the endotracheal tube.
345 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A biofilm collection adapter system for capturing biofilm removed from an endotracheal tube by a cleaning device, the system comprising:
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an endotracheal tube coupling adapter, the endotracheal tube coupling adapter comprising; a distal coupling member configured to couple to a universal connector of an endotracheal tube; a main port that is configured to be generally coaxial with a main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter and the endotracheal tube upon coupling of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter to the universal connector of the endotracheal tube; a first side port configured to couple to a ventilator for providing ventilation to a patient; a one-way valve within a lumen of the main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter configured to prevent air escape from the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; and a biofilm collection member, the biofilm collection member comprising; an elongate shaft; wherein a distal end of the elongate shaft is dimensioned to extend to a transition zone between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the universal connector of the endotracheal tube; an air vent located on the elongate shaft that is configured to provide continuous airflow from the ventilator to the endotracheal tube while the biofilm collection member is inserted within the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; and a reservoir portion located at a proximal end of the elongate shaft, configured to collect biofilm removed from the endotracheal tube b a cleaning device, wherein the biofilm collection member is configured to be removably inserted within the main port of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter and advanced until the distal end of the elongate shaft contacts the universal connector such that when the cleaning device is removed from the endotracheal tube the removed biofilm is retained within the biofilm collection member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of facilitating collection of biofilm removed from an endotracheal tube or tracheobronchial tree of a patient by a cleaning device without disconnecting the patient from a ventilator, the method comprising:
coupling an endotracheal tube coupling adapter to a universal connector of an endotracheal tube, the endotracheal tube coupling adapter comprising; a main port that is configured to be generally coaxial with the endotracheal tube upon coupling of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter to the universal connector; a cap removably coupled to the main port; and a side port configured to couple to a ventilator; removing the cap from the main port of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; inserting a removable biofilm collection member within the main port of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter such that a distal end of the biofilm collection member contacts or aligns with the universal connector, wherein the biofilm collection member comprises; an elongate shaft, wherein a distal end of the elongate shaft is dimensioned to extend to a transition zone between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the universal connector of the endotracheal tube; an air vent located on the elongate shaft that is configured to provide continuous airflow from the ventilator to the endotracheal tube while the biofilm collection member is inserted within the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; a reservoir portion located at a proximal end of the elongate shaft; and an adjustable diaphragm configured to receive and seal around instruments inserted therein; inserting a cleaning device through the adjustable diaphragm of the biofilm collection member and within the endotracheal tube; performing a cleaning procedure using the cleaning device within the endotracheal tube or within the tracheobronchial tree of the patient; withdrawing the cleaning device into the biofilm collection member while maintaining isolation of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter from any removed biofilm; and removing the biofilm collection member from the endotracheal tube coupling adapter. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of facilitating collection of biofilm removed from an endotracheal tube or tracheobronchial tree of a patient while providing continued access to a patient'"'"'s airway and without requiring disconnection from a ventilator, the method comprising:
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coupling a multi-port endotracheal tube adapter to a universal connector of an endotracheal tube, the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter comprising; a main port that is configured to be generally coaxial with the endotracheal tube upon coupling of the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter to the universal connector of the endotracheal tube; a first side port configured to couple to a ventilator; and a cap removably coupled to the main port; removing the cap from the main port of the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter; inserting a removable biofilm collection member within the main port of the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter such that a distal end of the biofilm collection member contacts or aligns with the universal connector, wherein the biofilm collection member comprises; an elongate shaft, wherein a distal end of the elongate shaft is dimensioned to extend to a transition zone between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the universal connector of the endotracheal tube; an air vent located on the elongate shaft that is configured to provide continuous airflow from the ventilator to the endotracheal tube while the biofilm collection member is inserted within the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; a reservoir portion located at a proximal end of the elongate shaft; and an adjustable diaphragm configured to receive and seal around instruments inserted therein; inserting a visualization device through the adjustable diaphragm of the biofilm collection member and through the endotracheal tube; performing a visualization procedure within or distal to the endotracheal tube using the visualization device; and withdrawing the visualization device from the endotracheal tube and into the biofilm collection member while maintaining isolation of the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter from any removed biofilm. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A biofilm collection member configured to be inserted into an access port of a multi-port manifold coupled to an endotracheal tube, the biofilm collection member comprising:
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an elongate shaft; wherein a distal end of the elongate shaft is dimensioned to extend to a transition zone between a proximal portion and a distal portion of a universal connector of an endotracheal tube; an air vent located on the elongate shaft that is configured to provide continuous airflow from a ventilator to the endotracheal tube while the biofilm collection member is inserted within the multi-port manifold; and a reservoir portion located at a proximal end of the elongate shaft, the reservoir portion configured to collect biofilm removed from a patient. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification