Apparatus for intubation within body passages, comprising an elongated tube having the usual opening at the distal end and means for connection to a source of fluid, such as air, at the other end. Occlusion means is located about the surface of the tube near the open end to seal the space between the passage and the tube against flow of air. The occlusion means comprises a bag or canopy secured at its center, to the outer surface of the tube and terminating in a free edge directed toward the distal end being substantially open for receipt of air from the direction of the open end of said tube. The canopy is adapted to be distended against the inner surface of the passage to form the required seal.
A self inflating and self deflating tracheal tube is comprised generally of an elongated air conveying tube having a cuff at the distal end portion thereof, the cuff forming a fluid tight seal with the tracheal wall during inhalation of the patient. Enlarged openings in the tube wall adjacent and into the tracheal cuff form a path of lesser resistance for air flowing through the tube from its proximal to its distal end. During exhalation of the patient, air within the cuff is quickly and firstly discharged into the tube before or substantially simultaneous with the exit of air from the lungs and trachea of the patient. A flange for attachment of the tube to the neck portion of a patient is provided which flanged portion is adjustable with respect to the tube allowing the surgeon to properly fit and compensate for changes in the size of the individual patient's anatomy. There is further provided an obturator which is placeable by the surgeon into the trachea of the patient before insertion of the tube and flange structure. The obturator can be provided with a gripping surface for the attachment of the surgeon's finger or hand thereto facilitating easy insertion. The obturator forms a substantially fluid tight seal with the wall portions of the trachea above the portion of the trachea through which the tracheal tube enters, thus negating the flow of fluids (including gaseous and liquid fluids such as stomach acids and the like) from the esophagus into the trachea.
A device for intubation of the tracheal passage comprising a tube through which gas can be administered and an occlusion means to seal the annular space around the tube when it is positioned in a tracheal passage. The occlusion means is formed as a canopy of flexible material having a top part traversed by said tube in an air-tight junction with an inflatable annular chamber extending around the wall of the canopy. Inflation of this chamber distends the canopy against the tracheal wall and simultaneously creates a second annular chamber between the inner surface of the canopy and the outer surface of the tube. The bottom of the canopy is open during positive pressure ventilation, for allowing an upward flow of gas via the annular space into said second chamber to inflate and distend the canopy against the tracheal wall independently of inflation of said first annular chamber.
A respiration catheter has a sealing cuff (12) which encircles the catheter tube (10) and can be connected through a separate tube (13, 14) with a source of compressed air with a substantially constant pressure. This tube accommodates a cut-off valve (19, 20, 21) which is controlled by the pressure of the respiration air and is adapted to prevent air in the sealing cuff from escaping when this pressure exceeds the pressure in the source of compressed air. The position of this cut-off valve in the vicinity of the free end of the catheter tube obviates the disadvantageous effects of pressure drops in the catheter tube, which may occur when the valve is placed at the injection end of the catheter tube, as is the case in a known respiration catheter.
A colpotomy assembly 10 is adapted for insertion into a vaginal cavity for use in female pelvic surgical procedures employing the inflation of an abdominal cavity with a gas to facilitate the accessability to and visibility of female pelvic organs. The assembly has a vaginal extender 20, a uterine manipulator 16 and a flexible occluder. The occluder being mounted on a shaft of the uterine manipulator such that it permits relative movement of the shaft 26 during use.
An endotracheal tube adapted for ventilating a patient and provided with an inflatable cuff to force air into the patient's lungs includes at least one port that communicates with the inflatable cuff such that, when air is forced down the tube during ventilation, a portion of the air is forced into the inflatable cuff and inflates it, occluding the trachea. During exhalation, the cuff is allowed to partially deflate. The partial deflation during every breathing cycle improves the blood flow to the tracheal tissues and reduces tissue damage from prolonged intubation.
