Endobronchial tube with integrated image sensor and a cleaning nozzle arrangement

Abstract

An endobronchial tube which contains an integrated camera and light source and a cleaning nozzle arrangement disposed within dedicated peripheral lumen within the tube's wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endobronchial tube having proximal and distal ends comprising:
 a. a midline partition dividing said endobronchial tube into a tracheal ventilation tube and a bronchial ventilation tube, each of said tracheal ventilation tube and said bronchial ventilation tube having proximal and distal ends; wherein said tracheal ventilation tube and said bronchial ventilation tube are configured to have different lengths, wherein said bronchial ventilation tube extends beyond said tracheal ventilation tube such that said bronchial ventilation tube distal end is located distally to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end;   b. an external wall defining an external surface of said endobronchial tube; said external wall comprising a plurality of channels formed within said external wall, each channel having a proximal end adjacent to said endobronchial tube proximal end, said plurality of channels comprising an image sensor channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; a cleaning channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end, a tracheal cuff channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; and a bronchial cuff channel having a distal end adjacent to said bronchial ventilation tube distal end; wherein the diameter of said image sensor channel is smaller at said proximal end and larger at said distal end of said image sensor channel;   c. a flaring at the distal end of said tracheal ventilation tube forming a cover over the distal end of said image sensor channel;   d. an image sensor arrangement comprising an image sensor and light source housed interior and adjacent to the distal end of said image sensor channel; wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of at least one LED, optical fiber, waveguide, light guide, and any combination thereof; wherein said image sensor is selected from the group consisting of a CCD and CMOS image sensor;   e. a cleaning nozzle arrangement in fluid communication with the distal end of said cleaning channel and proximal to said image sensor arrangement; wherein said nozzle arrangement comprises a primary nozzle aimed such that fluid exits the nozzle towards the distal end of said image sensor and a plurality of secondary nozzles aimed such that fluid exits the nozzle towards the area immediately distal to said image sensor arrangement;   f. image sensor conducting wires and an image sensor connector, said image sensor conducting wires having a proximal end connected to said image sensor connector and a distal end connected to said image sensor and said light source such that said image sensor connector is electrically connected to said image sensor and said light source and is in image transfer data communication with said image sensor;   g. an image sensor conducting wire notch, wherein the proximal end of said image sensor channel includes said image sensor conducting wire notch through which said image sensor conducting wires exit said image sensor channel;   h. an inflatable tracheal cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said tracheal ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said tracheal cuff channel;   i. an inflatable bronchial cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said bronchial ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said bronchial cuff channel;   wherein said endobronchial tube has a gauge from 26 Fr to 44 Fr;   wherein said tracheal cuff and said bronchial cuff are individually inflatable;   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a medial curvature adjustable from 100 degrees to 160 degrees; and   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a left or right bronchial insertion compatible distal curvature; said distal curvature adjustable from 25 degrees to 70 degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the left bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the left bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view; 
     
     
         3 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the right bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the right bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view. 
     
     
         4 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein said flaring forms a cap over the distal end of said image sensor channel. 
     
     
         5 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein a portion of said cleaning channel is enclosed to form a cleaning tube protruding from said external wall; wherein a cleaning tube connector is connected to the proximal end of said cleaning tube and is in fluid communication with said cleaning tube. 
     
     
         6 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 5 ; wherein a portion of said tracheal cuff channel is enclosed to form a tracheal cuff tube protruding from said external wall, wherein a tracheal cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said tracheal cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said tracheal cuff tube. 
     
     
         7 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 6 ; wherein a portion of said and bronchial cuff channel is enclosed to form a bronchial cuff tube protruding from said external wall; wherein a bronchial cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said bronchial cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said bronchial cuff tube. 
     
     
         8 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 7 ; wherein said plurality of channels are fully enclosed channels. 
     
     
         9 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 1 ; wherein said image sensor connector comprises a USB connector. 
     
     
         10 . An endobronchial tube having proximal and distal ends comprising:
 a. a midline partition dividing said endobronchial tube into a tracheal ventilation tube and a bronchial ventilation tube, each having proximal and distal ends; wherein said tracheal ventilation tube and said bronchial ventilation tube are configured to have different lengths, wherein said bronchial ventilation tube extends beyond said tracheal ventilation tube such that said bronchial ventilation tube distal end is located distally to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end;   b. an external wall defining an external surface of said endobronchial tube; said external wall comprising a plurality of channels formed within said external wall, each channel having a proximal end adjacent to said endobronchial tube proximal end, said plurality of channels comprising an image sensor channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; a cleaning channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end, a tracheal cuff channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; and a bronchial cuff channel having a distal end adjacent to said bronchial ventilation tube distal end; wherein the diameter of said image sensor channel is smaller at said proximal end and larger at said distal end of said image sensor channel;   c. a flaring at the distal end of said tracheal ventilation tube forming a cover over the distal end of said image sensor channel;   d. an image sensor arrangement comprising an image sensor and light source housed interior and adjacent to the distal end of said image sensor channel; wherein said light source comprises two LEDs; wherein said image sensor comprises a CMOS image sensor;   e. a cleaning nozzle arrangement in fluid communication with the distal end of said cleaning channel and proximal to said image sensor arrangement; wherein said nozzle arrangement comprises a primary nozzle aimed such that fluid exits the nozzle towards the distal end of said image sensor and three secondary nozzles aimed such that fluid exits said secondary nozzles towards the area immediately distal to said image sensor arrangement; wherein said primary nozzle has a larger nozzle opening diameter than do said secondary nozzles; wherein said primary nozzle has an opening of between 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm, and wherein each of said secondary nozzles has an opening of between 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm; wherein said primary nozzle is adjacent to said image sensor while said secondary nozzles are positioned linearly distally therefrom equidistant from one another;   f. image sensor conducting wires and an image sensor connector, said image sensor conducting wires having a proximal end connected to said image sensor connector and a distal end connected to said image sensor and said light source such that said image sensor connector is electrically connected to said image sensor and said light source and is in image transfer data communication with said image sensor; wherein said image sensor connector comprises a USB connector;   g. an image sensor conducting wire notch, wherein the proximal end of said image sensor channel includes said image sensor conducting wire notch through which said image sensor conducting wires exit said image sensor channel;   h. an inflatable tracheal cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said tracheal ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said tracheal cuff channel;   i. an inflatable bronchial cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said bronchial ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said bronchial cuff channel;   wherein said endobronchial tube has a gauge from 35 Fr to 41 Fr;   wherein said tracheal cuff and said bronchial cuff are individually inflatable;   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a medial curvature adjustable from 100 degrees to 160 degrees; and   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a left or right bronchial insertion compatible distal curvature; said distal curvature adjustable from 25 degrees to 70 degrees.   
     
     
         11 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 10 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the left bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the left bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view; 
     
     
         12 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 10 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the right bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the right bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view. 
     
     
         13 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 10 ; wherein said flaring forms a cap over the distal end of said image sensor channel. 
     
     
         14 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 10 ; wherein a portion of said cleaning channel is enclosed to form a cleaning tube protruding from said external wall; wherein a cleaning tube connector is connected to the proximal end of said cleaning tube and is in fluid communication with said cleaning tube. 
     
     
         15 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 14 ; wherein a portion of said tracheal cuff channel is enclosed to form a tracheal cuff tube protruding from said external wall, wherein a tracheal cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said tracheal cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said tracheal cuff tube. 
     
     
         16 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 15 ; wherein a portion of said and bronchial cuff channel is enclosed to form a bronchial cuff tube protruding from said external wall; wherein a bronchial cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said bronchial cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said bronchial cuff tube. 
     
     
         17 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 16 ; wherein said plurality of channels are fully enclosed channels. 
     
     
         18 . An endobronchial tube having proximal and distal ends comprising:
 a. a midline partition dividing said endobronchial tube into a tracheal ventilation tube and a bronchial ventilation tube, each having proximal and distal ends; wherein said tracheal ventilation tube and said bronchial ventilation tube are configured to have different lengths, wherein said bronchial ventilation tube extends beyond said tracheal ventilation tube such that said bronchial ventilation tube distal end is located distally to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end;   b. an external wall defining an external surface of said endobronchial tube; said external wall comprising a plurality of channels formed within said external wall, each channel having a proximal end adjacent to said endobronchial tube proximal end, said plurality of channels comprising an image sensor channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; a cleaning channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end, a tracheal cuff channel having a distal end adjacent to said tracheal ventilation tube distal end; and a bronchial cuff channel having a distal end adjacent to said bronchial ventilation tube distal end; wherein the diameter of said image sensor channel is smaller at said proximal end and larger at said distal end of said image sensor channel;   c. a flaring at the distal end of said tracheal ventilation tube forming a cover over the distal end of said image sensor channel;   d. an image sensor arrangement comprising an image sensor and light source housed interior and adjacent to the distal end of said image sensor channel; wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of at least one LED, optical fiber, waveguide, light guide, and any combination thereof; wherein said image sensor is selected from the group consisting of a CCD and CMOS image sensor;   e. a cleaning nozzle arrangement in fluid communication with the distal end of said cleaning channel and proximal to said image sensor arrangement; wherein said nozzle arrangement comprises a primary nozzle aimed such that fluid exits the nozzle towards the distal end of said image sensor and a plurality of secondary nozzles aimed such that fluid exits the nozzle towards the area immediately distal to said image sensor arrangement; wherein the arrangement of said primary and secondary nozzles is selected from the group consisting of:
 i. said primary and secondary nozzles are arranged distally to one another in a linear sequential manner; 
 ii. said secondary nozzles are circumferentially aligned distal to said primary nozzle wherein said primary nozzle is disposed nearest to said image sensor arrangement, while said secondary cleaning nozzles are arranged distally thereto; 
 iii. said primary nozzle is disposed directly adjacent to said image sensor arrangement; wherein said secondary nozzles are disposed distally to said primary nozzle; 
 iv. said secondary nozzles are spaced equally 0.5 mm apart distal to said primary nozzle; and 
 i. said secondary nozzles are spaced unequally apart distal to said primary nozzle; 
   f. image sensor conducting wires and an image sensor connector, said image sensor conducting wires having a proximal end connected to said image sensor connector and a distal end connected to said image sensor and said light source such that said image sensor connector is electrically connected to said image sensor and said light source and is in image transfer data communication with said image sensor;   g. an image sensor conducting wire notch, wherein the proximal end of said image sensor channel includes said image sensor conducting wire notch through which said image sensor conducting wires exit said image sensor channel;   h. an inflatable tracheal cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said tracheal ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said tracheal cuff channel;   i. an inflatable bronchial cuff attached to said external wall of said endobronchial tube and positioned proximal to the distal end of said bronchial ventilation channel and in fluid communication with said bronchial cuff channel;   wherein said endobronchial tube has a gauge from 26 Fr to 44 Fr;   wherein said tracheal cuff and said bronchial cuff are individually inflatable;   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a medial curvature adjustable from 100 degrees to 160 degrees; and   wherein said external wall of said endobronchial tube has a left or right bronchial insertion compatible distal curvature; said distal curvature adjustable from 25 degrees to 70 degrees.   
     
     
         19 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 18 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the left bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the left bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view; 
     
     
         20 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 18 ; wherein, upon insertion of said endobronchial tube into a patient with said bronchial ventilation tube disposed in the right bronchi of the patient, said image sensor and said light source allow the visualization of said bronchial cuff disposed within the right bronchi, the patency of the left bronchi, the patency of the right bronchi, the tracheal carina, and the bronchial bifurcation, in a single field of view. 
     
     
         21 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 18 ; wherein said flaring forms a cap over the distal end of said image sensor channel. 
     
     
         22 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 18 ; wherein a portion of said cleaning channel is enclosed to form a cleaning tube protruding from said external wall; wherein a cleaning tube connector is connected to the proximal end of said cleaning tube and is in fluid communication with said cleaning tube. 
     
     
         23 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 22 ; wherein a portion of said tracheal cuff channel is enclosed to form a tracheal cuff tube protruding from said external wall, wherein a tracheal cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said tracheal cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said tracheal cuff tube. 
     
     
         24 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 23 ; wherein a portion of said and bronchial cuff channel is enclosed to form a bronchial cuff tube protruding from said external wall; wherein a bronchial cuff connector is connected to the proximal end of said bronchial cuff tube and is in fluid communication with said bronchial cuff tube. 
     
     
         25 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 24 ; wherein said plurality of channels are fully enclosed channels. 
     
     
         26 . The endobronchial tube of  claim 18 ; wherein said image sensor connector comprises a USB connector.