Endotracheal surfactant distribution system

Abstract

Apparatus for delivering a medicament through an artificial airway connected to a patient ventilation/aspiration system without breaking the ventilation circuit comprises a manifold with an interior chamber communicating with first, second and third ports. The manifold is structured and arranged to maintain an uninterrupted ventilation pathway between the first and second ports and to provide a travel path for a suction catheter between the second and third ports, the second port being adapted for connection to the artificial airway. The apparatus further includes a catheter assembly, including a catheter with a lumen, positioned within a protective sleeve and slidable through a distal end fixture connected to the third port. The catheter assembly is structured and arranged to permit advancement of the distal end of the catheter through the manifold and artificial airway. A syringe and a suction control valve are interchangeably connectable to the proximal end of the catheter assembly.

1 . A method of treating a patient, comprising:
 establishing an artificial airway in the patient;   positioning a catheter having a lumen in the artificial airway;   delivering a medicament through the lumen;   aspirating through the lumen.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the artificial airway is part of a ventilation/aspiration system. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of delivering the medicament occurs before the step of aspirating. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medicament comprises a surfactant. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering the medicament through the lumen comprises:
 coupling a syringe containing the medicament to a proximal end of the catheter;   delivering the medicament in the syringe into the lumen.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medicament delivered through the lumen of the catheter is delivered proximate to lung tissue of the patient. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning a portion of the catheter beyond a distal termination point of the artificial airway. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein aspirating comprises:
 coupling a suction control device to a proximal end of the catheter;   selectively applying suction to the catheter using the suction control device.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein aspirating removes medicament from the patient. 
   
   
       10 . A method of delivering medicament, comprising:
 establishing an artificial airway;   positioning a catheter within the artificial airway, the catheter including at least one lumen;   delivering a medicament through the at least one lumen;   applying suction to the same lumen through which the medicament is delivered.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the artificial airway is part of a ventilation/aspiration system. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the medicament comprises a surfactant. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein delivering the medicament through the at least one lumen comprises:
 coupling a syringe containing the medicament to a proximal end of the catheter;   discharging the medicament in the syringe into the at least one lumen.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein positioning the catheter within the artificial airway comprises positioning a portion of the catheter beyond a termination point of the artificial airway. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein applying suction comprises:
 coupling a suction control device to a proximal end of the catheter;   applying suction to the catheter using the suction control device.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein applying suction removes medicament. 
   
   
       17 . A method of operating a ventilation/aspiration system, comprising:
 providing an artificial airway to a treatment site within a patient;   advancing a catheter having a lumen through the artificial airway to the treatment site;   delivering medicament through the lumen to the treatment site;   applying suction to the lumen through which the medicament is delivered.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising connecting a manifold to the artificial airway and to the catheter, the manifold including first, second and third ports, and a interior chamber in communication with the first, second and third ports, the manifold providing a travel path for the catheter between the first and second ports, and an uninterrupted ventilation pathway between the second and third ports and an entry into the artificial airway. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a proximal end of the catheter is constructed to interconnect with a vacuum control valve. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising connecting a storage and delivery component containing a supply of medicament to a proximal end of the catheter, the storage and delivery component configured to discharge medicament into the lumen.