Tracheal tube positioning devices and methods

Abstract

Various embodiments of tracheal tube assemblies disclosed herein may include a tubular body having an open distal end for ventilating a patient and a cuff disposed around the tubular body above the open distal end. The cuff may be adapted to be inflated to seal the cuff against a wall of a trachea of the patient. The cuff may include a first portion that spaces the tubular body a first distance from the tracheal wall when inflated and a second portion that spaces the tubular body a second distance from the tracheal wall when inflated. The second distance may be greater than the first distance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An airway system, comprising:
 a tracheal tube assembly having a tubular body;   a proximal collar region in a wall of a cuff and configured to be attached to the tubular body of the tracheal tube assembly;   a distal collar region in the wall of the cuff and configured to be attached to the tubular body of the tracheal tube assembly;   a first inflatable region disposed between the proximal collar region and the distal collar region; and   a second inflatable region disposed between the proximal collar region and the distal collar region, wherein the first inflatable region and the second inflatable region are configured to be independently inflated to a first inflation capacity and a second inflation capacity, respectively, to seal against a wall of a patient's trachea.   
     
     
         2 . The airway system of  claim 1 , wherein the first inflatable region and the second inflatable region are disposed adjacent to one another along a radial axis of the cuff configured to align with a radial axis of the tubular body. 
     
     
         3 . The airway system of  claim 1 , wherein the first inflatable region and the second inflatable region are disposed adjacent to one another along an axial axis of the cuff configured to align with an axial axis of the tubular body. 
     
     
         4 . The airway system of  claim 1 , comprising a third inflatable region and a fourth inflatable region, each disposed between the proximal collar region and the distal collar region, wherein the first inflatable region, the second inflatable region, the third inflatable region, and the fourth inflatable region are arranged in successive radial positions. 
     
     
         5 . The airway system of  claim 1 , comprising a substantially continuous cuff membrane disposed about the first inflatable region and the second inflatable region. 
     
     
         6 . The airway system of  claim 1 , wherein the first inflatable region and the second inflatable region have substantially different inflation capacities. 
     
     
         7 . The airway system of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal collar region, the distal collar region, the first inflatable region, the second inflatable region, or a combination thereof comprises polyethylene terephthalate, low-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, neoprene, polyisoprene, polypropylene, polyurethane, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The airway system of  claim 1 , comprising a collar assembly disposed on the tubular body below the cuff, wherein the collar assembly comprises a first portion protruding radially away from the tubular body a first distance and a second portion opposite the first portion protruding radially away from the tubular body a second distance that is greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         9 . The airway system of  claim 8 , comprising an imaging device disposed on the second portion of the collar assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The airway system of  claim 8 , wherein the imaging device has a field of view towards a distal end of the tubular body. 
     
     
         11 . The air system of  claim 8 , wherein the imaging device is disposed on a bottom surface of the collar assembly, wherein the bottom surface faces towards a distal end of the tubular body. 
     
     
         12 . The air system of  claim 8 , wherein the imaging device is positioned below the first inflatable region, and wherein the first inflation capacity of the first inflatable region is greater than the second inflation capacity of the second inflatable region such that the first inflatable region extends furthest away from the tubular body when the first and second inflatable regions are inflated. 
     
     
         13 . The airway system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body includes a first curved portion within the cuff and extending in a first direction and a second curved portion below the cuff and extending in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         14 . The airway system of  claim 13 , wherein portions of the tubular body above and below the first and the second curved portions are offset with respect to a portion of the tubular body circumferentially surrounded by the cuff. 
     
     
         15 . The air system of  claim 1 , wherein the cuff is a symmetrical cuff. 
     
     
         16 . The airway system of  claim 1 , wherein the cuff comprises a honeycomb structure.