Endotracheal tube having outer and inner cannulae

Abstract

A tracheal tube apparatus includes a cannula having first and second ends. An inflatable cuff is formed on the cannula between the first and second ends. A conduit extends from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. A gauge for indicating the inflation pressure of the cuff is coupled in the conduit.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An endotracheal tube apparatus comprising:
 an outer cannula configured for insertion through a mouth of a wearer, down a pharynx of the wearer, through a glottis of the wearer, and into a trachea of the wearer, the outer cannula including a fenestration along a length of the outer cannula,   an inflatable cuff formed on the outer cannula adjacent to the fenestration and the second end,   a first conduit extending from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff, and   a plurality of inner cannulas sized to be selectively and separately inserted into, and removed from, the outer cannula,   wherein the plurality of inner cannulas include a first inner cannula including a first and second lumen, the second lumen configured to evacuate a region of the trachea of the wearer adjacent the cuff, the second lumen including an opening which lies adjacent the closest point in the fenestration to the cuff when the first inner cannula is selectively inserted into a use orientation in the outer cannula.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a gauge for indicating an inflation pressure of the cuff, the gauge coupled in the first conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a one-way valve at an end of the first conduit remote from the cuff, the one-way valve preventing escape of inflating fluid from the cuff. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a one-way valve at an end of the first conduit remote from the cuff, the one-way valve preventing escape of inflating fluid from the cuff. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first coupler provided on an outer end of the outer cannula,   a second coupler provided on an outer end of each inner cannula of the plurality of inner cannulas,   wherein one of the first and second couplers including at least one surface for guiding the respective inner cannula into a use orientation with respect to the outer cannula when the inner cannula is inserted into the outer cannula, and the other of the first and second couplers including a cooperating surface for cooperating with the at least one surface for guiding the inner cannula into the use orientation with respect to the outer cannula.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of inner cannulas include a second inner cannula including a lumen extending therethrough, the second inner cannula being size to be inserted into the outer cannula in place of the first inner cannula.