Endotracheal Tube with Subglottic Secretion Suction and Detachable Suction Connection Line

Abstract

An endotracheal tube assembly is disclosed. The endotracheal tube assembly includes an elongate tube having an outer wall, and a first connector disposed on the outer wall. The outer wall defines a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen therein, an elongate suction lumen therein, and a first suction lumen aperture therethrough, the first suction lumen aperture being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen. The first connector includes a first annular wall disposed within a second annular wall, where the first annular wall and the second annular wall extend away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube in a radial direction. An internal surface of the first annular wall defines a first flow passage, and a rim of the first annular wall defines a first connection aperture. The first connection aperture is in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen through the first flow passage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endotracheal tube assembly, comprising:
 an elongate tube having an outer wall, the outer wall defining
 a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen therein, 
 an elongate suction lumen therein, and 
 a first suction lumen aperture therethrough, the first suction lumen aperture being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen; and 
   a first connector disposed on the outer wall, the first connector including a first annular wall disposed within a second annular wall, the first annular wall and the second annular wall extending away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube in a radial direction,   an internal surface of the first annular wall defining a first flow passage, a rim of the first annular wall defining a first connection aperture, the first connection aperture being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen through the first flow passage.   
     
     
         2 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one detent disposed on an outer surface of the second annular wall. 
     
     
         3 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second connector coupled to the first connector, the second connector including a third annular wall disposed between the first annular wall and the second annular wall. 
     
     
         4 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the second connector further includes a fourth annular wall disposed around the second annular wall. 
     
     
         5 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one detent disposed on an outer surface of the second annular wall,
 wherein the fourth annular wall defines at least one groove therethrough, and   wherein the at least one detent is disposed within the at least one groove.   
     
     
         6 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one detent consists of two detents, the at least one groove consists of two grooves, and each of the two detents is disposed in a corresponding one of the two grooves. 
     
     
         7 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 3 , wherein an internal surface of the third annular wall defines a second flow passage, the second flow passage being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen through the first connection aperture for drawing secretions from the elongate suction lumen through the second flow passage. 
     
     
         8 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector further includes a flange that extends radially into the elongate suction lumen, the flange being configured to seal the elongate suction lumen against passing a flow through the elongate suction lumen in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube. 
     
     
         9 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the flange also extends into the elongate suction lumen in the longitudinal direction of the elongate tube. 
     
     
         10 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a substantially radial face of the flange extends into the elongate suction lumen proximal to the first suction lumen aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 5  wherein the at least one detent is configured to slide within the at least one groove by rotating the first connector about the radial direction relative to the second connector. 
     
     
         12 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the second connector is fluidly coupled to a suction tube, and the suction tube is in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen via the first flow passage of the first connector. 
     
     
         13 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a flow area of the first flow passage is not less than a flow area of the elongate suction lumen, the flow area of the first flow passage extends normal to the radial direction, and the flow area of the elongate suction lumen extends normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube. 
     
     
         14 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an inflatable cuff attached to the elongate tube,
 wherein the outer wall of the elongate tube further defines a second suction lumen aperture therethrough, the second suction lumen aperture disposed between the inflatable cuff and the first suction lumen aperture along the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube, and   wherein the second suction lumen aperture is in fluid communication with the first connection aperture via the elongate suction lumen.   
     
     
         15 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 14 , wherein an end of the inflatable cuff proximal to the second suction lumen aperture is folded under itself, such that a first portion of an outer surface of the inflatable cuff faces away from the elongate tube, and a second portion of the outer surface of the inflatable cuff faces the elongate tube. 
     
     
         16 . An endotracheal tube assembly comprising:
 an elongate tube having an outer wall, the outer wall defining a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen and also defining an elongate suction lumen;   an inflatable cuff attached near a distal end of the elongate tube wherein the inflatable cuff has a proximal end and a distal end and an inner surface and an outer surface; and   a connector assembly to couple the elongate suction lumen of the elongate tube to a source of suction, the connector assembly including a connector component coupled to an opening in the elongate suction lumen defined by an outer wall of the elongate tube,   wherein the connector component is in fluid communication with the suction lumen and defines a closed flow path for drawing secretions from the elongate suction lumen of the elongate tube,   wherein the connector component defines an opening for passage of fluid in communication with the elongate suction lumen, and   wherein the connector component includes a flange that extends radially into the suction lumen, the flange being configured to seal the suction lumen against passing a flow through the suction lumen in a longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         17 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the connector component is formed from a plastic. 
     
     
         18 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the inner surface of the distal end of the inflatable cuff is attached to the outer wall of the elongate tube, and the outer surface of the proximal end of the inflatable cuff is attached to the elongate tube. 
     
     
         19 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a dimension of the opening of the connector component is equal to or larger than a width of the suction lumen. 
     
     
         20 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a substantially radial face of the flange extends into the suction lumen proximal to the suction lumen opening.