Endobronchial tube with integrated image sensor

Abstract

An endobronchial tube comprising at least two lumens of different lengths for selectively associating with a patient about at least two locations relative to the Tracheal Carina. said tube comprising: a first lumen having an open distal end that associates proximally to the Carina within the Trachea, with a first inflatable cuff; a second lumen having an open distal end that extends distally, past the Carina and associates within one of the Left Bronchial branch and Right Bronchial branch with a second inflatable cuff; a dedicated image sensor lumen spanning the length of said first lumen, the dedicated image sensor lumen comprising an image sensor and illumination source disposed adjacent to the distal end of said first lumen, and configured to provide an image of the Tracheal bifurcation of the Tracheal Carina, the openings of the Left Bronchial branch, and the opening Right Bronchial branch; and at least one dedicated cleaning lumen disposed parallel with said dedicated image sensor lumen along the length of said endobronchial tube and wherein said cleaning lumen is configured to forms a cleaning nozzle at the distal end, wherein said cleaning nozzle is directed toward said image sensor lumen at its distal end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endobronchial tube having proximal and distal ends comprising:
 a) a midline partition dividing said endobronchial tube into a tracheal ventilation tube and a bronchial ventilation tube, each having proximal and distal ends; wherein said tracheal ventilation tube and said bronchial ventilation tube are configured to have different lengths, wherein said bronchial ventilation tube extends beyond said tracheal ventilation tube such that said bronchial ventilation tube distal end is located distally to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end;   b) a wall of said endobronchial tube; said wall comprising a plurality of channels formed within said wall, each channel having a proximal end adjacent to said endobronchial tube proximal end, said plurality of channels comprising an image sensor channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; a cleaning channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end, a first inflating channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; and a second inflating channel having a distal end adjacent to said bronchial ventilation tube distal end; wherein the diameter of said image sensor channel is smaller at said proximal end and larger at said distal end of said image sensor channel;   c) a flaring at the distal end of said tracheal ventilation tube;   d) an image sensor and light source housed interior and adjacent to the distal end of said image sensor channel; wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of at least one LED, optical fiber, waveguide, light guide, and any combination thereof; wherein said image sensor is selected from the group consisting of a CCD and CMOS image sensor;   e) image sensor conducting wires and an image sensor connector, said image sensor conducting wires having a proximal end connected to said image sensor connector and a distal end connected to said image sensor and said light source such that said image sensor connector is electrically connected to said image sensor and said light source and is in image transfer data communication with said image sensor;   f) an image sensor conducting wire notch, wherein the proximal end of said image sensor channel includes said image sensor conducting wire notch through which said image sensor conducting wires exit said image sensor channel;   g) a cleaning nozzle in fluid communication with the distal end of said cleaning channel and proximal to said image sensor; wherein said nozzle is aimed such that fluid exits the nozzle towards the distal end of said image sensor and wherein said nozzle has an opening having a diameter from 0.1 mm to 2 mm;   h) an inflatable tracheal cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said tracheal ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said first inflating channel; and   i) an inflatable bronchial cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said bronchial ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said second inflating channel;   wherein said endobronchial tube has a gauge from 26 Fr to 44 Fr;   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a medial curvature adjustable from 100 degrees to 160 degrees; and   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a left or right bronchial insertion compatible distal curvature; said distal curvature adjustable from 25 degrees to 70 degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the left bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the left bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view; 
     
     
         3 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the right bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the right bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view. 
     
     
         4 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein a portion of said cleaning channel is enclosed to form an injection tube protruding from said wall; wherein an injection tube connector is connected to the proximal end of said injection tube and is in fluid communication with said injection tube. 
     
     
         5 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein a portion of said first inflating channel is enclosed to form a tracheal cuff tube protruding from said wall, wherein a tracheal cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said tracheal cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said tracheal cuff tube. 
     
     
         6 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein a portion of said and second inflating channel is enclosed to form a bronchial cuff tube protruding from said wall; wherein a bronchial cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said bronchial cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said bronchial cuff tube. 
     
     
         7 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein said plurality of channels are fully enclosed channels. 
     
     
         8 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein said image sensor connector comprises a USB connector. 
     
     
         9 . An endobronchial tube having proximal and distal ends comprising:
 a) a midline partition dividing said endobronchial tube into a tracheal ventilation tube and a bronchial ventilation tube, each having proximal and distal ends; wherein said tracheal ventilation tube and said bronchial ventilation tube are configured to have different lengths, wherein said bronchial ventilation tube extends beyond said tracheal ventilation tube such that said bronchial ventilation tube distal end is located distally to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end;   b) a wall of said endobronchial tube; said wall comprising a plurality of channels formed within said wall, each channel having a proximal end adjacent to said endobronchial tube proximal end, said plurality of channels comprising an image sensor channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; a cleaning channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end, a first inflating channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; and a second inflating channel having a distal end adjacent to said bronchial ventilation tube distal end; wherein the diameter of said image sensor channel is smaller at said proximal end and larger at said distal end of said image sensor channel; wherein the position of said image sensor channel is selected from the group consisting of:
 i. said image sensor channel is disposed between said tracheal ventilation tube and said bronchial ventilation tube; 
 ii. said image sensor channel is disposed about the posterior portion of said endobronchial tube therein posterior to said partition; and 
 iii. said image sensor lumen is disposed about the anterior portion of said endobronchial tube about the middle of the cross-section of said tube and anterior to said partition; 
   c) a flaring at the distal end of said tracheal ventilation tube;   d) an image sensor and light source housed interior and adjacent to the distal end of said image sensor channel; wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of at least one LED, optical fiber, waveguide, light guide, and any combination thereof; wherein said image sensor is selected from the group consisting of a CCD and CMOS image sensor;   e) image sensor conducting wires and an image sensor connector, said image sensor conducting wires having a proximal end connected to said image sensor connector and a distal end connected to said image sensor and said light source such that said image sensor connector is electrically connected to said image sensor and said light source and is in image transfer data communication with said image sensor;   f) an image sensor conducting wire notch, wherein the proximal end of said image sensor channel includes said image sensor conducting wire notch through which said image sensor conducting wires exit said image sensor channel;   g) a cleaning nozzle in fluid communication with the distal end of said cleaning channel and proximal to said image sensor; wherein said nozzle is aimed such that fluid exits the nozzle towards the distal end of said image sensor and wherein said nozzle has an opening having a diameter from 0.1 mm to 2 mm;   h) an inflatable tracheal cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said tracheal ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said first inflating channel; and   i) an inflatable bronchial cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said bronchial ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said second inflating channel;   wherein said endobronchial tube has a gauge from 26 Fr to 44 Fr;   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a medial curvature adjustable from 100 degrees to 160 degrees; and   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a left or right bronchial insertion compatible distal curvature; said distal curvature adjustable from 25 degrees to 70 degrees.   
     
     
         10 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 9 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the left bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the left bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view; 
     
     
         11 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 9 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the right bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the right bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view. 
     
     
         12 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 9 ; wherein a portion of said cleaning channel is enclosed to form an injection tube protruding from said wall; wherein an injection tube connector is connected to the proximal end of said injection tube and is in fluid communication with said injection tube. 
     
     
         13 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 9 ; wherein a portion of said first inflating channel is enclosed to form a tracheal cuff tube protruding from said wall, wherein a tracheal cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said tracheal cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said tracheal cuff tube. 
     
     
         14 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 9 ; wherein a portion of said and second inflating channel is enclosed to form a bronchial cuff tube protruding from said wall; wherein a bronchial cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said bronchial cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said bronchial cuff tube. 
     
     
         15 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 9 ; wherein said plurality of channels are fully enclosed channels. 
     
     
         16 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 9 ; wherein said image sensor connector comprises a USB connector. 
     
     
         17 . An endobronchial tube having proximal and distal ends comprising:
 a) a midline partition dividing said endobronchial tube into a tracheal ventilation tube and a bronchial ventilation tube, each having proximal and distal ends; wherein said tracheal ventilation tube and said bronchial ventilation tube are configured to have different lengths, wherein said bronchial ventilation tube extends beyond said tracheal ventilation tube such that said bronchial ventilation tube distal end is located distally to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end;   b) a wall of said endobronchial tube; said wall comprising a plurality of channels formed within said wall, each channel having a proximal end adjacent to said endobronchial tube proximal end, said plurality of channels comprising an image sensor channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; two cleaning channel each having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end, a first inflating channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; and a second inflating channel having a distal end adjacent to said bronchial ventilation tube distal end; wherein the diameter of said image sensor channel is smaller at said proximal end and larger at said distal end of said image sensor channel;   c) a flaring at the distal end of said tracheal ventilation tube;   d) an image sensor and light source housed interior and adjacent to the distal end of said image sensor channel; wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of at least one LED, optical fiber, waveguide, light guide, and any combination thereof; wherein said image sensor is selected from the group consisting of a CCD and CMOS image sensor;   e) image sensor conducting wires and an image sensor connector, said image sensor conducting wires having a proximal end connected to said image sensor connector and a distal end connected to said image sensor and said light source such that said image sensor connector is electrically connected to said image sensor and said light source and is in image transfer data communication with said image sensor;   f) an image sensor conducting wire notch, wherein the proximal end of said image sensor channel includes said image sensor conducting wire notch through which said image sensor conducting wires exit said image sensor channel;   g) two cleaning nozzles each in fluid communication with a distal end of one of said cleaning channel and proximal to said image sensor; wherein said nozzles are aimed such that fluid exits the nozzles towards the distal end of said image sensor and wherein said nozzles have an opening having a diameter from 0.1 mm to 2 mm;   h) an inflatable tracheal cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said tracheal ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said first inflating channel; and   i) an inflatable bronchial cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said bronchial ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said second inflating channel;   wherein said endobronchial tube has a gauge from 26 Fr to 44 Fr;   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a medial curvature adjustable from 100 degrees to 160 degrees; and   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a left or right bronchial insertion compatible distal curvature; said distal curvature adjustable from 25 degrees to 70 degrees.   
     
     
         18 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 19 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the left bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the left bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view; 
     
     
         19 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 19 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the right bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the right bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view. 
     
     
         20 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 19 ; wherein a portion of each of said cleaning channels is enclosed to form injection tubes protruding from said wall; wherein an injection tube connector is connected to the proximal end of said injection tubes and is in fluid communication with said injection tubes. 
     
     
         21 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 19 ; wherein a portion of said first inflating channel is enclosed to form a tracheal cuff tube protruding from said wall, wherein a tracheal cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said tracheal cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said tracheal cuff tube. 
     
     
         22 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 19 ; wherein a portion of said and second inflating channel is enclosed to form a bronchial cuff tube protruding from said wall; wherein a bronchial cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said bronchial cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said bronchial cuff tube. 
     
     
         23 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 19 ; wherein said plurality of channels are fully enclosed channels. 
     
     
         24 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 19 ; wherein said image sensor connector comprises a USB connector.