Introducing the PathFree Expandable Endotracheal Tube – a revolutionary medical device that enables the gradual increase of the internal diameter of an endotracheal tube without the need for replacement. The endotracheal tube is a flexible plastic tube commonly used in emergency medicine, critical care, mechanical ventilation, and surgery with anesthesia to establish and maintain a patent airway.
However, selecting the correct size of the tube for a patient is crucial, as the use of an incorrect size may cause complications. A smaller diameter tube is safer and easier to insert, but it is more likely to be obstructed by secretions, while a larger size tube can permit other devices to pass through it more easily. Unfortunately, the process of replacing the tube can be complex and life-threatening.
The PathFree Expandable Endotracheal Tube solves this problem with its unique design. It comprises a tunnel configured into the wall of the endotracheal tube, which can be expanded to increase the circumference and thus, the internal diameter of the tube. The tunnel can replaceably receive an expander of different widths, which gradually increases the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube without removing it from the trachea.
The endotracheal tube assembly is economical to manufacture and is made of stretchable material, making it flexible and easy to use. The expander is made of a flexible material and has an arc-shaped elongated body with a blunted tip for easy insertion into the tunnel. The width of the expander is proportional to the increase in the circumference of the endotracheal tube.
The method of using the PathFree Expandable Endotracheal Tube is simple. The endotracheal tube is first inserted into the trachea, and then the expander of the first width is inserted into the tunnel through the opening at the proximal end of the endotracheal tube, increasing the internal diameter of the tube proportionally to the width of the expander. If necessary, the expander can be replaced with another of a different width to further adjust the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube.
In conclusion, the PathFree Expandable Endotracheal Tube is a game-changing medical device that enables the gradual increase of the internal diameter of an endotracheal tube without the need for replacement, avoiding the potential complications of tube replacement.
BACKGROUND
An endotracheal tube is a medical device utilized to establish and maintain an open airway in patients by inserting a flexible plastic tube through the mouth and into the trachea. This tube is commonly used in emergency medicine, critical care, mechanical ventilation, and anesthesia during surgery. The process of inserting the tube is called endotracheal intubation.
Endotracheal tubes come in various sizes, ranging from 2.0 millimeters to 12.0 mm internal diameters in 0.5 mm increments. The appropriate size of the tube is important and differs according to the patient’s gender and age. Generally, a 7.0 to 7.5 mm diameter tube is often used for females, while an 8.0 to 9.0 mm diameter tube is used for males. Newborns require a 3.0 mm to 3.5 mm tube, with a 2.5 to 3.0 mm tube for premature infants.
Smaller tubes are easier to insert and result in a lower incidence of sore throat after intubation, making them safer for the trachea. Additionally, the smaller diameter of the tube allows for a better view of the larynx during insertion, resulting in less trauma to the patient. However, small diameter tubes are more prone to obstruction by secretions, which can cause resistance and obstruction to gas flow. On the other hand, larger tubes have certain advantages, such as allowing other devices to pass through them easily and reduced driving pressures. Nevertheless, doctors must choose the appropriate size of the tube for each patient.
Choosing the wrong size of the tube may lead to complications, such as esophageal intubation, loss of the airway, severe hypoxia, or cardiac arrest. Therefore, there is a need for an improved endotracheal tube with an adjustable internal diameter that can be controlled in each millimeter unit. This innovation would prevent the need to replace the tube and mitigate the risks and costs associated with the replacement procedure.
In conclusion, endotracheal tubes are essential medical devices in emergency medicine, critical care, mechanical ventilation, and anesthesia during surgery. The appropriate size of the tube is crucial for the safety and wellbeing of the patient. Therefore, it is essential to have an improved endotracheal tube with a variable internal diameter to avoid complications associated with replacing the tube.
SUMMARY
In this section, we will provide a simplified summary of the invention, outlining its main objectives and components. This summary aims to provide a basic understanding of the invention and is not intended to identify critical elements or scope. Its sole purpose is to introduce the concepts of the invention before delving into a more detailed description later.
The primary objective of the invention is to improve endotracheal tube assemblies by providing an endotracheal tube with a gradually increasing internal diameter, thus avoiding the need to replace the tube with a larger size. Another objective is to create an economically viable endotracheal tube assembly.
The invention consists of an endotracheal tube assembly, comprising an endotracheal tube and an expander. The endotracheal tube has a tubular body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall extending between them. The proximal end can be connected to a medical apparatus, while the distal end is inserted into the trachea. The wall contains one or more tunnels that can be expanded, increasing the tube’s internal diameter. The tunnel is open at the proximal end and closed at the distal end.
The expander has an arc-shaped elongated body with a handle at one end and a blunted tip at the other. It is made of a flexible material and inserted into the tunnel, with the blunted tip expanding the tunnel. The expander comes in different widths, and the width of the expander is proportional to the change in the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube.
To insert the endotracheal tube, it is inserted through the mouth into the trachea, with the distal end going in first. After the tube is inserted, an expander of a certain width is inserted into the tunnel through the opening of the tunnel at the proximal end. This insertion increases the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube proportionally to the width of the expander.
To adjust the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube, the expander of the initial width is removed from the tunnel, and an expander of a different width is inserted. This new expander can have a width less than or greater than the initial expander, adjusting the internal diameter proportionally.
In conclusion, the invention presents an improved endotracheal tube assembly that eliminates the need for larger tubes and provides economic benefits. It consists of an endotracheal tube and an expander that can increase or decrease the tube’s internal diameter. We hope this summary has provided a basic understanding of the invention’s concepts.
Claims
The PathFree Expandable endotracheal tube assembly is a medical device used for inserting and securing an endotracheal tube in a patient’s trachea. The assembly comprises an endotracheal tube with a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall in between the two ends. The wall is interrupted by a tunnel that extends between the proximal and distal ends of the tube. The tunnel is designed to expand and increase the circumference of the endotracheal tube when required.
The expander used to expand the tunnel has an elongated body and can be removably received and retained into the tunnel. The width of the expander is proportional to the increase in the circumference of the endotracheal tube. The proximal end of the tube can be fluidly connected to a medical device, while the distal end is designed for insertion into the patient’s trachea. The tube’s proximal end can be coupled to a connector that is attached to the medical device.
The tunnel is sealed at the distal end and has an opening at the proximal end. The opening can be closed during insertion into the trachea and opened when inserting the expander. The endotracheal tube’s distal end is beveled to ease its insertion into the trachea. The tube also has an inflatable cuff near its distal end and at least one murphy eye adjacent to the distal end.
The tunnel is made of one or more layers of a stretchable material, and the joint between the tunnel and the wall is sealed by a stretchable lining. To perform endotracheal intubation using this assembly, the endotracheal tube assembly is provided, and the tube is inserted into the trachea. The expander is then inserted into the tunnel to increase the tube’s circumference.
The method can also include inserting an expander of a different width and removing the previous one. The tunnel’s opening is switched between open and closed positions, and one end of the expander is blunted for insertion into the tunnel.
PathFree Technologies Corporation boasts a plethora of ingenious medical devices that are currently in their final developmental stages, and are soon to be manufactured and made available to the global medical community. Among these products, one in particular stands out – the PathFree Expandable Endotracheal Tube. This groundbreaking medical product has never been available before, and we anticipate that it will soon become the new standard for all doctors performing intubation procedures.
Our team has worked diligently to create this patented and protected device, which is now on the cusp of being made accessible to medical professionals worldwide. With its innovative design and unique features, the PathFree Expandable Endotracheal Tube promises to revolutionize the way intubation procedures are performed, making the process safer and more efficient than ever before.
We are confident that this product will be highly sought-after by doctors and medical institutions alike, and we are excited to bring it to the market. Our commitment to providing cutting-edge medical technology that improves patient outcomes is unwavering, and we are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the healthcare industry.
