Connector for coupling a tracheal tube to an auxiliary device

Abstract

Various embodiments of a connector assembly are provided to removably couple a proximal end of a tracheal tube to components associated with a ventilator or an anesthesiology machine. The disclosed embodiments include a compression fitting, which creates an airtight seal between walls of the tracheal tube and components of the compression fitting, thus allowing air to flow to and from a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of coupling a tracheal tube to an interface element of an auxiliary device comprising:
 cutting a tracheal tube to a desired length;   placing the tracheal tube through an axial opening of a threaded locking nut;   lodging a proximal end of the tracheal tube in an aperture in a second end of a radially compressible threaded body; and   threading the locking nut on the second end of the threaded body such that an airtight seal is formed between walls of the tracheal tube and the threaded body.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded body comprises one or more slits configured to permit radial compression of the threaded body as the locking nut is advanced onto the threaded body. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising inflating a cuff of the tracheal tube to secure the tracheal tube in a body cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising forming the airtight seal via one or more sealing elements disposed within the threaded body. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising connecting a first end of the threaded body to an auxiliary device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second end tapers from a large diameter to a smaller diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising substantially surrounding the tracheal tube with the second end of the threaded body. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary device comprises a ventilator or anesthesiology machine. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded body and the locking nut are made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more sealing element is made of Nitrile or Viton. 
     
     
         11 . A connector assembly for a tracheal tube, comprising:
 an interface element of an auxiliary device, comprising a radially compressible threaded body that is configured to receive a proximal end of the tracheal tube;   a threaded locking nut comprising an axial opening configured to receive the tracheal tube, wherein the threaded locking nut is configured to couple to the radially compressible threaded body.   
     
     
         12 . The connector assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the connector assembly is configured to create an airtight seal between the compressible threaded body and the tracheal tube. 
     
     
         13 . The connector assembly of  claim 11 , comprising one or more sealing elements disposed within the radially compressible threaded body, wherein the sealing elements are configured to form the airtight seal. 
     
     
         14 . The connector assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the radially compressible threaded body comprises one or more slits configured to permit radial compression of the radially compressible threaded body. 
     
     
         15 . The connector assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the radially compressible threaded body is configured to substantially surround the proximal end of the tracheal tube. 
     
     
         16 . The connector assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the radially compressible threaded body and the threaded locking nut are made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). 
     
     
         17 . The connector assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing element comprises Nitrile or Viton.