초록 ▼

An endotracheal tube cleaning apparatus to be used with an endotracheal tube, the cleaning apparatus having an elongate tubular member with a distal end that extends into the endotracheal tube and at least one channel defined therethrough and terminating at a distal end disposed in a vicinity of the

An endotracheal tube cleaning apparatus to be used with an endotracheal tube, the cleaning apparatus having an elongate tubular member with a distal end that extends into the endotracheal tube and at least one channel defined therethrough and terminating at a distal end disposed in a vicinity of the distal end of the elongate tubular member. A cleaning assembly is provided at the distal end of the elongate tubular member so as to affirmatively engage the interior wall structure of the endotracheal tube, as a result of a resilient material bladder, for cleaning thereof. A ventilator coupling is further provided and is connected to the endotracheal tube. Moreover, a first inlet port of the ventilator coupling is coupled to a ventilator assembly structured to supply air to a patient, and a second inlet port of the ventilator coupling is structured to receive the elongate tubular member therethrough into the endotracheal tube. Also, a bypass coupling assembly is provided and connected in fluid flow communication between the channel of the elongate tubular member and the ventilator assembly so as to automatically direct air from the ventilator assembly into the channel of the elongate tubular member, and out the distal end of the channel, upon occlusion of a flow of the air through the endotracheal tube at a point of the endotracheal tube upstream of the distal end of the channel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An Endotracheal Tube Cleaning Apparatus to be used with an endotracheal tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and an interior wall structure defining a lumen therethrough; said endotracheal tube cleaning apparatus comprising:an elongate tubular member, said elongate t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An Endotracheal Tube Cleaning Apparatus to be used with an endotracheal tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and an interior wall structure defining a lumen therethrough; said endotracheal tube cleaning apparatus comprising:an elongate tubular member, said elongate tubular member having a distal end structured to extend into the endotracheal tube,at least one channel defined in said elongate tubular member,said channel including a distal end disposed in a vicinity of said distal end of said elongate tubular member,a cleaning assembly disposed in said vicinity of said distal end of said elongate tubular member, said cleaning assembly being structured to engage the interior wall structure of the endotracheal tube for cleaning thereof,a ventilator coupling structured to be coupled to the endotracheal tube and including at least a first inlet port and a second inlet port,said first inlet port being coupled to a ventilator assembly structured to supply a fluid to a patient,said second inlet port being structured to receive said elongate tubular member therethrough into the endotracheal tube, anda bypass coupling assembly connected in fluid flow communication with said channel of said elongate tubular member and said ventilator assembly and structured to automatically direct the fluid from said ventilator assembly into the channel of the elongate tubular member and out said distal end of said channel of said elongate tubular member upon occlusion of a flow of the fluid through the endotracheal tube at a point of the endotracheal tube upstream of said distal end of said channel of said elongate tubular member.