ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE COUPLING ADAPTERS

• US 20130104884A1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SunMed Group Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Endoclear LLC (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chersky, David Mark, Vazales, Brad Eugene
• Granted Patent: US 9,445,714 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• 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 16/0484 at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0486 Multi-lumen tracheal tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0413 with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7536 allowing gas passage, but preventing liquid passage, e.g. liquophobic, hydrophobic, water-repellent membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/10 Equipment for cleaning

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.

Claims

1. A biofilm collection adapter system for capturing biofilm removed from an endotracheal tube, 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 side port configured to couple to a ventilator for providing ventilation to the patient;

a circumferential ramped step member within a lumen of a main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; and

a one-way valve within the 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 configured to be removably inserted within a proximal end of the lumen of the main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter and advanced until a distal end of the biofilm collection member contacts or aligns with a shoulder of the circumferential ramped step member,

wherein the circumferential ramped step member is configured to funnel biofilm removed from the endotracheal tube by an endotracheal tube cleaning member into the biofilm collection member, and

wherein an inner diameter of a rim of the circumferential ramped step member is configured to substantially correspond with the inner diameter of a shaft of the biofilm collection member.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the biofilm collection member comprises a flap valve and an adjustable diaphragm configured to receive and seal around an endotracheal tube cleaning device or other generally cylindrical instrument inserted therein.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the endotracheal tube coupling adapter further comprises a removable cap configured to couple to and seal the main port.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the removable cap is tethered to the endotracheal tube coupling adapter.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the circumferential ramped step member comprises a curved slope.

6. 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 cylidnrical shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter and with the endotracheal tube upon coupling of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter to the endotracheal tube;

a side port configured to couple to a ventilator for providing ventilation to the patient;

a circumferential ramped step member within a lumen of the main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; and

a one-way valve within the lumen of the main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter configured to prevent air escape from the endotracheal tube coupling adapter.

7. The endotracheal tube coupling adapter of claim 6, further comprising a closed suction system coupled to the main port

8. The endotracheal tube coupling adapter of claim 6, wherein the circumferential ramped step member comprises a minimum inner diameter configured to correspond with the inner diameter of the endotracheal tube.

9. The endotracheal tube coupling adapter of claim 6, wherein the circumferential ramped step member comprises a minimum diameter of approximately 10 mm.

10. The endotracheal tube coupling adapter of claim 6, further comprising a second side port.

11. A biofilm collection adapter system for capturing biofilm removed from an endotracheal tube, the system comprising:

a multi-port coupling member, the endotracheal tube coupling adapter comprising;

a distal coupling member configured to couple to a universal connector of an endotracheal tube;

a central in-line port,

wherein the central in-line port is generally coaxial with a main shaft of the multi-port coupling member and with the endotracheal tube upon coupling of the multi-port coupling member with the universal connector of the endotracheal tube;

a first side port configured to couple to a ventilator and/or oxygen supply;

a second side port;

a circumferential ramped step member within a lumen of the main shaft of the multi-port coupling member;

a one-way valve within the lumen of the main shaft of the multi-port coupling member configured to prevent air escape from the multi-port coupling member; and

a biofilm collection member configured to be removably inserted within a proximal end of the lumen of the main shaft of the multi-port coupling member and advanced until a distal end of the biofilm collection member contacts or aligns with a rim of the ramped step member, and

wherein the ramped step member is configured to funnel biofilm removed from the endotracheal tube into the biofilm collection member.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the biofilm collection member comprises a flap valve configured to prevent air leak under positive pressure and an adjustable diaphragm configured to receive and seal around cleaning and/or diagnostic instruments inserted therein.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the multi-port coupling adapter further comprises a removable cap configured to couple to and seal the central in-line port.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the circumferential ramped step member provides a curved slope.

15. A method of facilitating collection of biofilm removed from an endotracheal tube without disconnecting a patient from a ventilator, the method comprising:

coupling an endotracheal tube coupling adapter to an endotracheal tube, the endotracheal tube coupling adapter comprising;

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 endotracheal tube;

a side port configured to couple to a ventilator;

a circumferential ramped step member within a lumen of the main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter; and

a one-way valve within the lumen of the main shaft of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter configured to prevent air escape from 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 a shoulder of the circumferential ramped step member,

wherein the biofilm collection member comprises a flap valve configured to prevent air leak under positive pressure and an adjustable diaphragm configured to receive and seal around cleaning and/or diagnostic instruments inserted therein;

inserting an endotracheal tube cleaning device through the flap valve of the biofilm collection member and within the endotracheal tube;

cleaning the endotracheal tube with the endotracheal tube cleaning device, wherein the endotracheal tube cleaning device comprises a removal member configured to remove biofilm from the interior of the endotracheal tube;

withdrawing the removal member of the endotracheal tube cleaning device into the biofilm collection member, thereby depositing the removed biofilm within the biofilm collection member; and

removing the biofilm collection member from the endotracheal tube coupling adapter.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising coupling a closed suction system to the main port of the endotracheal tube coupling adapter.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein cleaning the endotracheal tube further comprises mechanically expanding the removal member to contact the inner surface of the endotracheal tube.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting a visualization scope through the flap valve of the biofilm collection member.

19. A method of facilitating collection of biofilm removed from an endotracheal tube while providing continued access to a patient'"'"'s airway and without requiring disconnection from the ventilator, the method comprising:

coupling a multi-port endotracheal tube adapter to an endotracheal tube, the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter comprising;

a main port that is configured to be generally coaxial with a main shaft of the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter and the endotracheal tube upon coupling of the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter to the endotracheal tube;

a first side port configured to couple to a ventilator;

a second side port configured to receive devices to be introduced within the endotracheal tube or distal airways;

a circumferential ramped step member within a lumen of the main shaft of the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter; and

a one-way valve within the lumen of the main shaft of the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter configured to prevent air escape from the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter;

inserting a visualization device through the one-way valve of the main shaft and advancing the visualization device into the endotracheal tube, wherein the visualization device is configured to confirm proper positioning of the endotracheal tube upon intubation;

removing the visualization device from the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter; and

inserting a removable biofilm collection member within the main port of the endotracheal tube adapter such that a distal end of the biofilm collection member contacts or aligns with a shoulder of the circumferential ramped step member,

wherein the biofilm collection member comprises a flap valve configured to prevent air leak under positive pressure and an adjustable diaphragm configured to receive and seal around cleaning and/or diagnostic instruments inserted therein.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

inserting an endotracheal tube cleaning device through the flap valve of the biofilm collection member and within the endotracheal tube;

cleaning the endotracheal tube with the endotracheal tube cleaning device, wherein the endotracheal tube cleaning device comprises a removal member configured to remove biofilm from the interior of the endotracheal tube;

withdrawing the removal member of the endotracheal tube cleaning device into the biofilm collection member, thereby depositing the removed biofilm within the biofilm collection member; and

removing the biofilm collection member from the multi-port endotracheal tube adapter.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising inserting a suction catheter through the flap valve of the biofilm collection member for cleaning one or more distal airways of the patient.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising sealing the proximal end of the biofilm collection member with a cap until a cleaning or visualization device is inserted.