Devices and methods for treatment of ventilator associated dysphagia

Abstract

The present disclosure describes an endotracheal ventilator tube for the treatment of dysphagia comprising an elongate tube and at least one electrode positioned on or about the elongate tube, wherein the at least one electrode is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the oropharyngeal region and is electrically connected to an electrical stimulation generating means.

1 . An endotracheal ventilator tube for the treatment of dysphagia comprising:
 an elongate tube; and   at least one electrode positioned on or about the elongate tube,   wherein the at least one electrode is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the oropharyngeal region and is electrically connected to an electrical stimulation generating means.   
     
     
         2 . The endotracheal ventilator tube according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube is changeable between a first configuration, in which it has a first shape, and a second configuration, in which it has a second shape, different to the first. 
     
     
         3 . The endotracheal ventilator tube according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve selectively positionable around the elongate tube, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The endotracheal ventilator tube according to  claim 3 , wherein the sleeve is split longitudinally along its length. 
     
     
         5 . The endotracheal tube according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one electrode is formed from a flexible printed conductive material. 
     
     
         6 . The endotracheal ventilator tube according to  claim 2 , wherein the elongate tube is resiliently biased in a pre-curved configuration. 
     
     
         7 . An endotracheal ventilator tube comprising an elongate tube, wherein the elongate tube comprises at least one channel for receiving a catheter. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating ventilator associated or neurogenic dysphagia, the method comprising:
 inserting a ventilation tube as claimed in  claim 1  into a patient, either orally or nasally;   positioning the ventilation tube such that the at least one electrode is located proximate a pre-defined target tissue; and   stimulating the pre-defined target tissue by electrical stimulation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of treating ventilator associated dysphagia according to  claim 9  wherein the step of inserting the catheter into a patient orally or nasally further comprises inserting the catheter into the longitudinal channel of the ventilator tube according to  claim 7 . 
     
     
         11 . The method of treating ventilator associated dysphagia according to  claim 9 , further comprising expanding the shape of the ventilator tube to urge a portion of the ventilator tube against the target tissue. 
     
     
         12 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The endotracheal ventilator tube according to  claim 2 , further comprising a sleeve selectively positionable around the elongate tube, wherein the at least one electrode is positioned on the sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of treating ventilator associated dysphagia according to  claim 10 , further comprising expanding the shape of the ventilator tube to urge a portion of the ventilator tube against the target tissue.