Endotracheal tube

Abstract

A tube for delivering fluid that has a tube extending between a first opening and a second opening, an expandable cuff formed on a distal end of the tube, a resistant member formed around a portion of the tube, and a sleeve formed around the resistant member. Wherein, the sleeve presents a substantially smooth outer surface.

1 . A tube for delivering fluid, comprising:
 a tube extending between a first opening and a second opening;   an expandable cuff formed on a distal end of the tube;   a resistant member formed around a portion of the tube; and   a sleeve formed around the resistant member;   wherein, the sleeve presents a substantially smooth outer surface.   
     
     
         2 . The tube of  claim 1 , further comprising a second expandable cuff formed at the distal end of the tube. 
     
     
         3 . The tube of  claim 2 , further comprising a first inflation lumen that is fluidly coupleable to the expandable cuff, the first inflation lumen being partially formed within a wall of the tube. 
     
     
         4 . The tube of  claim 3 , further comprising a second inflation lumen that is fluidly coupleable to the second expandable cuff, the second inflation lumen being partially formed within the wall of the tube. 
     
     
         5 . The tube of  claim 4 , further wherein the first inflation lumen and the second inflation lumen are not fluidly coupled to one another in the wall of the tube. 
     
     
         6 . The tube of  claim 1 , further wherein the resistant member is formed from a material that resists penetration by a laser. 
     
     
         7 . The tube of  claim 6 , further wherein the resistant member is formed of an aluminum material. 
     
     
         8 . The tube of  claim 6 , further wherein the resistant member is wrapped around at least a portion of the tube. 
     
     
         9 . The tube of  claim 8 , further wherein the sleeve is positioned radially outside of the resistant member and extends at least the length of the resistant member. 
     
     
         10 . The tube of  claim 1 , wherein adhesive is applied to the proximal and distal end of the resistant member and the sleeve to couple the resistant member and the sleeve to the tube. 
     
     
         11 . The tube of  claim 1 , further wherein the sleeve is formed of silicon. 
     
     
         12 . An endotracheal tube assembly, comprising:
 an airway tube forming a fluid channel from a first opening to a second opening and defining a tube wall;   a resistant member formed around a portion of the airway tube;   a sleeve formed around the resistant member; and   a first cuff formed along the airway tube proximate to the second opening;   wherein, the resistant member is formed around the airway tube and the sleeve is formed of a single material having a substantially smooth outer surface.   
     
     
         13 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a second cuff formed along the airway adjacent to the first cuff. 
     
     
         14 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a first inflation lumen defined at least partially within the tube wall and fluidly coupled to the first cuff and a second inflation lumen defined at least partially within the tube wall and fluidly coupled to the second cuff. 
     
     
         15 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 14 , further wherein the first cuff and second cuff are inflatable independent of one another. 
     
     
         16 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 12 , further wherein the resistant member is positioned radially inside of at least a portion of the first cuff. 
     
     
         17 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 12 , further wherein the resistant material is wrapped around the airway tube and the sleeve radially compresses the resistant material towards the airway tube. 
     
     
         18 . The endotracheal tube assembly of  claim 17 , further wherein the resistant material and the sleeve are adhesively coupled to the airway tube at a proximal and a distal end. 
     
     
         19 . A method for manufacturing an endotracheal tube, comprising:
 forming an airway tube with at least two inflation lumen passageways defined in a wall of the airway tube;   winding a resistant member around an outer portion of the airway tube;   expanding a sleeve and positioning the sleeve around the resistant member;   allowing the sleeve to contract to thereby compress the resistant member against the airway tube; and   coupling a proximal and distal cuff to the airway tube and fluidly coupling a different one of the two inflation lumen passageways to each of the proximal and distal cuffs.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising applying adhesive to a proximal and distal end of both the sleeve and resistant member to thereby adhesively couple the sleeve and resistant member to the airway tube.