Methods of removing biofilm from endotracheal tubes

• US 9,855,111 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2016
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SunMed Group Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Endoclear LLC (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vazales, Brad Eugene, Bertolero, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyner, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US15/206,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20170065367A1
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 422 24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0661 Endoscope light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0669 at proximal end of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2676 Bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320725 with radially expandable cutting or abrading elements A61B17/32075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/701 for flexible tubular instruments, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/70 Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0418 with integrated means for changing the degree of curvature, e.g. for easy intubation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0427 with removable and re-insertable liner tubes, e.g. for cleaning
• 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 16/0463 combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0472 : Devices for performing a tracheostomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0484 : at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0486 : Multi-lumen tracheal tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 : T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0413 : with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/203 : Bacteria

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a mechanically-actuated endotracheal tube cleaning device is configured to removably receive a visualization member to provide cleaning of the endotracheal tube under direct visualization.

Claims

1. A method of identifying and removing biofilm from an endotracheal tube, the method comprising:

removing a sample of biofilm from an interior of an endotracheal tube;

identifying a type of bacteria present within the endotracheal tube from the sample of biofilm;

determining one or more drugs adapted to treat the identified type of bacteria;

delivering the one or more drugs through a channel of an endotracheal tube cleaning device to an inner wall of the endotracheal tube; and

delivering light to the inner wall of the endotracheal tube through a channel of the endotracheal tube cleaning device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the light comprises delivering light having a wavelength adapted to activate the one or more drugs.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the light is ultraviolet light.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the ultraviolet light is UV-C light.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the light comprises delivering pulsed light.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing irrigation through a channel of the endotracheal tube cleaning device while withdrawing the endotracheal tube cleaning device.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing aspiration while withdrawing the endotracheal tube cleaning device.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing aspiration after the endotracheal tube cleaning device has been withdrawn out of the endotracheal tube.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising expanding an expandable cleaning member of the endotracheal tube cleaning device within the endotracheal tube and withdrawing the endotracheal tube cleaning device out of the endotracheal tube with the expandable cleaning member in an expanded configuration so as to remove additional biofilm from the inner wall of the endotracheal tube.

10. A method of identifying and removing biofilm from an endotracheal tube, the method comprising:

identifying a type of bacteria present within the endotracheal tube from a sample of biofilm;

determining one or more drugs adapted to treat the identified type of bacteria;

delivering the one or more drugs through a channel of an endotracheal tube cleaning device to an inner wall of the endotracheal tube; and

delivering light to the inner wall of the endotracheal tube adapted to activate the one or more drugs.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the light is ultraviolet light.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the ultraviolet light is UV-C light.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein delivering the light comprises delivering pulsed light.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising expanding an expandable cleaning member of the endotracheal tube cleaning device within the endotracheal tube and withdrawing the endotracheal tube cleaning device out of the endotracheal tube with the expandable cleaning member in an expanded configuration so as to remove additional biofilm from the inner wall of the endotracheal tube.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing irrigation through a channel of the endotracheal tube cleaning device while withdrawing the endotracheal tube cleaning device.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing aspiration while withdrawing the endotracheal tube cleaning device.