Airway assembly and methods of using an airway assembly

Abstract

A method of using an airway assembly in an airway generally comprises providing an airway assembly having an outer tube, an inner tube disposed coaxially with the outer tube, and a seal disposed on the inner tube. The seal is inserted into the airway. The seal is moved from a collapsed position to an expanded position where the seal engages the airway. Fluid is moved through the inner tube and the seal. An additional embodiment provides the airway assembly placed in a first status. The airway assembly is inserted into an airway when the airway assembly is in the first status. The outer tube is moved with respect to the inner tube to place the airway assembly in a second status. The outer tube is moved with respect to the inner tube to place the airway assembly in a third status.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of using an airway assembly in an airway, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an airway assembly having an outer tube, an inner tube disposed coaxially with the outer tube, and an expansive seal disposed at a distal end of the inner tube;   (b) inserting the seal into the airway;   (c) relatively moving the inner tube and the outer tube to uncover the expansive seal and permit the expansive seal to move from a collapsed position to an expanded position where the expansive seal sealingly engages the airway; and   (d) moving fluid through the inner tube and the seal.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 (e) relatively moving the inner tube and the outer tube to capture the expansive seal within the outer tube and to move the expansive seal from an expanded position to a collapsed position within the outer tube.   
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 (e) providing an inflatable member on the outer tube;   (f) moving the inflatable member from a deflated position to an inflated position where the inflatable member engages the airway; and   (g) moving fluid through the inflatable member and the inner tube.   
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising the step of:
 (h) moving the inflatable member from the inflated position to the deflated position.   
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 (e) providing an aperture on the inner tube;   (f) moving the outer tube with respect to the inner tube to permit fluid flow through the aperture.   
     
     
         6 . A method of using an airway assembly in an airway, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an airway assembly having an outer tube, and an inner tube disposed coaxially with the outer tube;   (b) placing the airway assembly in a first status;   (c) inserting the airway assembly into an airway when the airway assembly is in the first status;   (d) moving the outer tube with respect to the inner tube to place the airway assembly in a second status; and   (e) moving the outer tube with respect to the inner tube to place the airway assembly in a third status.   
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , further comprising the step of:
 (f) providing a seal disposed on the inner tube, wherein the seal is in a collapsed position when the airway assembly is in the first status, and wherein the seal is in an expanded position when the airway assembly is in the second status and when the airway assembly is in the third status.   
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , further comprising the step of:
 (f) providing an aperture on the inner tube, and wherein the aperture is in a closed position when the airway assembly is in the first status and when the airway assembly is in the second status, and wherein the aperture is in an open position when the airway assembly is in the third status.   
     
     
         9 . An airway assembly insertable into an airway, the airway assembly comprising:
 (a) an outer tube having walls and a central lumen;   (b) an inner tube having walls and a central lumen and being coaxially disposed within the central of the outer tube; and   (c) a diametrically expansive seal positioned at a distal end of the inner tube, the diametrically expansive seal being movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position where the diametrically expansive seal sealingly seats against an anatomical airway passage.   
     
     
         10 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are coaxially movable relative to each other and the diametrically expansive seal diametrically expands and collapses in response to the relative coaxial movement of the inner tube and the outer tube. 
     
     
         11 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the diametrically expansive seal further comprises at least one reinforcing member operably associated with the diametrically expansive seal that facilitates diametrically expansive movement of the diametrically expansive seal between the collapsed position and the expanded position and exerts a sealing pressure of the diametrically expansive seal against the airway sufficient to retard fluid from passing across the diametrically expansive seal. 
     
     
         12 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the diametrically expansive seal further comprises a generally tubular member having walls, a proximal end fixedly coupled to the inner tube and an uncoupled distal end, wherein the walls and the distal end of the generally tubular member diametrically expand such that the distal end forms a diametrically enlarged distal opening sealingly seated against the airway and in fluid flow communication with the airway. 
     
     
         13 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the proximal end of the diametrically expansive seal is coupled to a distal end of the inner tube and is in fluid flow communication with the central lumen of the inner tube. 
     
     
         14 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 (d) an aperture disposed on the diametrically expansive seal, and wherein the aperture is fluidly connected with the inner tube to permit fluid flow between the inner tube and the aperture.   
     
     
         15 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 d) a first position mark disposed on a wall surface of the inner tube; and   e) a second position mark disposed on a wall surface of the inner tube, wherein a proximal end of the outer tube is adjacent the first position mark when the diametrically expansive seal is in its collapsed position, and wherein the proximal end of the outer tube is adjacent the second position mark when the diametrically expansive seal is in the expanded position.   
     
     
         16 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 (f) an aperture passing through a distal portion of the inner tube, and wherein the aperture is in an open position when the proximal end of the outer tube is adjacent the second position mark.   
     
     
         17 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 (d) a second diametrically expansive seal operably associated with the inner tube, the second diametrically expansive seal being movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position where the second diametrically expansive seal engages the airway.   
     
     
         18 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 (d) an aperture passing through a wall of the inner tube, wherein fluid flow through the aperture is permitted when the second diametrically expansive seal is in the expanded position and wherein fluid flow through the aperture is restricted when the second diametrically expansive seal is in the collapsed position.   
     
     
         19 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the inner tube and the outer tube have proximal portions and distal portions, and wherein the distal portions have greater flexibility relative to the proximal portions. 
     
     
         20 . The airway assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the inner tube and the outer tube have proximal portions and distal portions, and wherein outer diameters of the distal portions are smaller than outer diameters of the proximal portions.