Sealing means for endotracheal tubes

• US 5,305,740 A
• Filed: 05/06/1992
• Issued: 04/26/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Health and Human Services United States of America As Represented By The SEC
• Original Assignee: United States Department Of Health And Human Services
• Inventors: Kolobow, Theodor
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RACITI, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US07/878,784
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 604/278, 128/207.14, 128/207.15, 128/658, 128/220.24, 264/310
• US Class Current: 128/207.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0425 Metal tubes
• 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 16/0443 Special cuff-wall materials A61M16/0481, A61M16/0422 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0447 Bell, canopy or umbrella shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0459 one cuff behind another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0012 with embedded structures, e.g. coils, braids, meshes, strands or radiopaque coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0041 pre-formed, e.g. specially adapted to fit with the anatomy of body channels urethral catheters A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/005 with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/042 by rotating a mould around its axis of symmetry for concrete B28B21/30
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/085 by rotating the former around its axis of symmetry
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/20 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. moulding inserts or for coating articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/52 Measuring, controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/32 on a rotating mould, former or core
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/36 and impregnating by casting, e.g. vacuum casting
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0097 Thickness
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/00 Tubular articles B29L2024/00 takes precedence ; catheters B29L2031/7542
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/753 Medical equipment; Accessories therefor bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7532 : Artificial members, protheses

Abstract

A sealing element for a tubular member such as an endotracheal tube which includes a circular collar portion and a pliable flange or gill. One or more of the sealing elements are positioned on a tubular member such as an endotracheal tube. When the tubular member is inserted into a lumen such as a trachea, the pliable flange(s) or gill(s) forms a seal between the outer wall of the tubular member and the inner wall of the lumen. In the case of endotracheal tubes the sealing elements replace conventional inflatable cuffs and allow for tubes having diameters less than 5 mm.

Claims

1. An endotracheal tube comprising a tubular member and a sealing means on said tubular member, said sealing means including a circular collar portion having a through hole centrally located therein and a pliable flange attached to an outer circumferential surface of said circular collar portion, said pliable flange being continuous along the entire circumferential surface of said circular collar portion and having a thickness of less than about 0.002 inches, said pliable flange providing a means to collect tracheal bronchial secretions and thereby assist in sealing said endotracheal tube in a tracheal when inserted therein.

2. An endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said tubular member has an end and said sealing means is provided on said tubular member adjacent said end.

3. An endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said sealing means are provided on said tubular member.

4. An endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said circular collar and said pliable flange are made from a polymeric material.

5. An endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said tubular member has an outer diameter which is less than about 5 mm.

6. An endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said pliable flange has a free edge and a thickness which is greater near said circular collar portion than said free edge so as to be tapered.

7. An endotracheal tube according to claim 6, wherein said pliable flange has a thickness between about 0.002 to 0.0005 inches.

8. An endotracheal tube according to claim 6, wherein said free edge of said pliable flange is feathered.

9. An endotracheal tube according to claim 1, wherein said tubular member is wire reinforced.

10. An endotracheal tube according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of said sealing means are provided on said tubular member.

11. An endotracheal tube according to claim 9, wherein said tubular member has an end and said sealing means is provided on said tubular member adjacent said end.

12. An endotracheal tube according to claim 9, wherein said pliable flange has a thickness between about 0.002 to 0.0005 inches.

13. An endotracheal tube according to claim 9, wherein said circular collar and said pliable flange are made from a polymeric material.

14. An endotracheal tube according to claim 9, wherein said pliable flange has a free edge and a thickness which is greater near said circular collar portion than said free edge so as to be tapered.

15. An endotracheal tube according to claim 14, wherein said free edge of said pliable flange is feathered.