Cuff pressure measurement device for a tracheal tube

Abstract

According to various embodiments, methods and systems for determining pressure in an inflatable cuff of a tracheal tube may employ pressure transducers associated with a cuff inflation line or a pilot balloon assembly. The pressure transducers may be implemented to provide continuous or intermittent cuff pressure. Also provided are tracheal tubes with adapters or other devices that incorporate pressure transducers. The tracheal tubes may facilitate wireless cuff pressure monitoring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tracheal tube comprising:
 a conduit configured to be inserted into a trachea of a subject;   an inflatable cuff disposed on the conduit and configured to contact the trachea of the subject;   an inflation line in fluid communication with the inflatable cuff;   a pilot balloon associated with a proximal end of the inflation line; and   a pressure transducer associated with the pilot balloon and comprising an interior surface exposed to an interior space of the pilot balloon and an exterior surface exposed to ambient air.   
     
     
         2 . The tracheal tube of  claim 1 , comprising an antenna coupled to the pressure transducer and disposed about a wall of the pilot balloon. 
     
     
         3 . The tracheal tube of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure transducer is coupled to a wall of the pilot balloon. 
     
     
         4 . The tracheal tube of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure transducer is disposed on a rigid substrate and wherein a wall of the pilot balloon is adhered to a surface of the rigid substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The tracheal tube of  claim 4 , wherein the pressure transducer comprises a membrane. 
     
     
         6 . A tracheal tube comprising:
 a conduit configured to be inserted into a trachea of a subject;   an inflatable cuff disposed on the conduit and configured to contact the trachea of the subject;   an inflation line in fluid communication with the inflatable cuff;   a pilot balloon associated with a proximal end of the inflation line; and   an adapter coupled to the pilot balloon and comprising an interior surface in fluid communication with an interior space of the pilot balloon;   a pressure transducer associated with the adapter and comprising an interior surface in fluid communication with the interior space of the pilot balloon and an exterior surface exposed to ambient air; and   a valve coupled to the adapter and configured to allow fluid to flow through the adapter and into the inflation line via the pilot balloon when open and to prevent fluid from entering the inflation line when closed.   
     
     
         7 . The tracheal tube of  claim 6 , comprising antennas disposed on diametrically opposed surface of the adapter. 
     
     
         8 . The tracheal tube of  claim 7 , wherein the antennas form a spiral or curved shape about the pressure transducer. 
     
     
         9 . The tracheal tube of  claim 6 , wherein the exterior surface of the pressure transducer forms a part of a transducer side of the adapter. 
     
     
         10 . The tracheal tube of  claim 9 , comprising at least one antenna disposed on the transducer side of the adapter. 
     
     
         11 . The tracheal tube of  claim 6 , wherein the adapter is coupled to the pilot balloon at a distal end of the adapter and wherein the valve is oriented at a proximal end of the adapter. 
     
     
         12 . The tracheal tube of  claim 6 , wherein the adapter comprises a barbed end configured to coupled the adapter to the pilot balloon. 
     
     
         13 . The tracheal tube of  claim 6 , wherein the pressure transducer comprises a flexible membrane comprising an electrode surface. 
     
     
         14 . The tracheal tube of  claim 6 , wherein the adapter is removable. 
     
     
         15 . The tracheal tube of  claim 6 , wherein the adapter comprises a spherical or elliptical shape. 
     
     
         17 . A tracheal tube comprising,
 a conduit configured to be inserted into a trachea of a subject;   an inflatable cuff disposed on the conduit and configured to contact the trachea of the subject;   an inflation line in fluid communication with the inflatable cuff;   a pilot balloon associated with a proximal end of the inflation line; and   a pressure transducer associated with the pilot balloon and disposed on a surface of a substrate coupled to the pilot balloon.   
     
     
         18 . The tracheal tube of  claim 17 , wherein the pilot balloon is coupled to an exterior surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The tracheal tube of  claim 17 , wherein the pilot balloon is coupled to an interior surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         20 . The tracheal tube of  claim 17 , comprising antennas disposed on an exterior surface of the substrate.