Endotrachael tube with suction catheter and system

Abstract

An endotracheal tube and suction catheter system having an inflatable cuff with a unique shape, collection pocket formed by the inflatable cuff and a unique railing system for controllably guiding a suction catheter along the tube and into or proximal to the pocket. The cuff and pocket facilitate the collection of pooled secretions that accumulate in the trachea area. Pooled secretions are collected in the cuff pocket and the cuff may be pitched toward the pocket or have a concave hemispherical design at the posterior pocket end and, or a convex hemispherical design at the anterior end to further urge pooled secretions into the pocket. The cuff preferably has an elongated parallelogram-like shape to counter the rocking phenomenon caused by a patient coughing or turning. The parallelogram-like shape causes the cuff to maintain its contact with the trachea walls so secretions and fluid do not leak past the cuff balloon. The suction catheter, which is guided along the tube toward the pocket, is used to aspirate the collected secretions in the pocket and above the cuff. The railing system allows the suction catheter to be replaced without having to remove the endotracheal tube. Although the instant invention is primarily described with reference to flexible endotracheal tubes, it may also be adapted for trachea tubes, which are typically shorter and more rigid. The instant invention may also comprise a system having a suction catheter with a temperature probe and, or sublingual system probe.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tracheal secretion evacuation tube for removing pooled secretions from a patient's trachea area, said evacuation tube comprising: 
 a hollow tube having a wall defining a central passage along its longitudinal axis, said tube having a distal end and a proximal end wherein the distal end is inserted into the trachea area;    an inflatable cuff concentrically disposed on said tube proximal said distal end, said cuff having a top end, a bottom end and a cuff volume, said cuff comprising a tapered pocket that resides over a portion of the tube;    inflation means for facilitating the selective inflation and deflation of said cuff; and    means for guiding a suction catheter along said tube and at least proximal said pocket.    
     
     
         2 . An evacuation tube as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a suction catheter adapted for engaging said suction catheter to said guiding means so as to facilitate the guidance of said catheter along said tube toward said cuff.    
     
     
         3 . An evacuation tube as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said guiding means comprises: 
 a first track disposed along at least a portion of said tube above said cuff; and    a second track disposed along at least a portion of said catheter, said first track and said second track being adapted for slidably interlocking to facilitate the guidance of said catheter along said tube.    
     
     
         4 . An evacuation tube as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said cuff comprises: 
 a tapered pocket at least proximal said top end.    
     
     
         5 . An evacuation tube as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cuff comprises: 
 a tapered pocket at least proximal said top end.