Respiratory device comprising a double lumen endotracheal tube
Device for ventilation with a double lumen endotracheal tube featuring a connecting piece at the end distal to the patient into which the two lumina of the endotracheal tube are extended, separated within the connecting piece by an axial partition wall, a connector with two nozzles leading to a joint connecting section and separated from each other by another partition wall, the connector being attachable to the connecting piece in a way that brings the partition wall and the other partition wall into a sealing contact, a ventilator and at least one tube connected to a nozzle of the connector at one end and to the ventilator at the other.
1. Device for ventilation comprising
a double lumen endotracheal tube with an inspiratory lumen and an expiratory lumen and with a connecting piece at the end distal to the patient, both lumina of the endotracheal tube extending into the connecting piece and separated within it by an axial partition wall,
an independent connector with separate inspiratory and expiratory tube nozzles extending from a first end of the connector and that intersect within the connector to form inspiratory and expiratory chambers that remain separated from each other by a connector partition wall that extends from within the connector to an opening at the opposing end of the connector, said opening being connectable to the connecting piece of the double lumen endotracheal tube such that the partition wall of the endotracheal tube and the connector partition wall join to form a seal, and
a ventilator that is suitably connected to one or both of the inspiratory and expiratory tube nozzles at the first end of the connector,
wherein the connector features a shutter bridging the two sides of the connector partition wall, or in which the connecting piece of the endotracheal tube features a shutter bridging the two sides of the axial partition wall.
2. Device according to claim 1 , in which the endotracheal tube connecting piece features a circular external circumference and the connector opening features a corresponding internal circumference such that the connector opening is removably connectable to the endotracheal tube connecting piece.
3. Device according to claim 1 , in which the endotracheal tube connecting piece and the connector opening are both conical or both cylindrical.
4. Device according to claim 1 , in which the connector is Y-shaped or T-shaped.
5. Device according to claim 1 , in which the axial partition wall and the connector partition wall meet bluntly for forming a seal.
6. Device according to claim 1 , in which the endotracheal tube partition wall and the connector partition wall both have a plate shape.
7. Device according to claim 1 , in which the connecting piece of the endotracheal tube or a tube-shaped partition wall located within the connecting piece of the endotracheal tube has an external diameter of approximately 15 mm and the connector opening or another tube-shaped partition wall located within the connector opening has an internal diameter of approximately 15 mm.
8. Device according to claim 1 , in which one of the connecting piece of the endotracheal tube and the connector features at least one groove and the other has at least one corresponding projection, wherein the groove and the projection articulate when the connecting piece and the connector are joined.
9. Device according to claim 1 , in which the device includes a closing element in or on the shutter, and wherein the closing element has a seat in the respective partition wall.
10. Device according to claim 9 , in which the closing element has an operating element that is externally and manually operated.
11. Device according to claim 1 , in which the shutter features an operating connection with a control component of the ventilator.
12. Device according to claim 1 , in which the shutter features an operating connection with a pressure sensor in an inspiratory or expiratory limb of one or more of the endotracheal tube, the connector, and the ventilator.
13. Device according to claim 1 , in which the shutter has a sensor for the position of the closing element featuring an operating connection to a control component of the ventilator.
14. Device according to claim 1 , in which the inspiratory and expiratory tube nozzles of the connector are attached to tubes that features joints which can be swiveled around at least one axis.
15. Device according to claim 1 , in which the connector has a closable opening in the expiratory tube nozzle which, when opened, allows access into the expiratory lumen of the endotracheal tube.
16. Device according to claim 15 , featuring a plug that, when introduced into the closable opening, forms a seal with the closable opening.
17. Device according to claim 15 , in which the closable opening includes an elastic perforated membrane.
18. Device according to claim 1 , in which the endotracheal tube partition wall and the connector partition wall partially overlap for forming a seal.
19. Device according to claim 1 , in which the endotracheal tube partition wall and the connector partition wall both have a tube shape.
20. Device according to claim 1 , in which the connecting piece of the endotracheal tube has an internal diameter of approximately 22 mm and the connector opening has an external diameter of approximately 22 mm.
21. A connector device for safely connecting an endotracheal tube to a further device, the connector comprising separate inspiratory and expiratory tube nozzles extending from a first end of the connector and that intersect within the connector to form inspiratory and expiratory chambers that remain separated from each other by a connector partition wall that extends from within the connector to an opening at the opposing end of the connector, said opening being connectable to an endotracheal tube such that, when the endotracheal tube is a double lumen endotracheal tube with a partition wall delineating the two lumina, such partition wall joins to the connector partition wall to form a seal, wherein the connector partition wall further comprises a shutter with a valve seat bridging the two sides of the connector partition wall to allow or disallow a fluid connection between the inspiratory and expiratory chambers in the connector.
22. Connector device according to claim 21 , further comprising an operating element that is externally operated to open the shutter and allow a fluid connection between the inspiratory and expiratory chambers in the connector.
23. Connector device according to claim 22 , wherein the operating element is manually operated.
24. Connector device according to claim 23 , wherein the operating element is automatically operated.
25. Connector device according to claim 21 , wherein the shutter comprises an operating connection with a control component of a ventilator to which the connector device can be attached.
26. Connector device according to claim 21 , wherein the shutter comprises an operating connection with a pressure sensor in an inspiratory or expiratory limb of one or more of the connector, the endotracheal tube, and a ventilator to which the connector can be attached.
27. Connector device according to claim 21 , wherein the shutter comprises a sensor for sensing whether the shutter is in an open or closed position.
28. Connector device according to claim 27 , wherein the sensor is in an operating connection to a control component of a ventilator to which the connector can be attached.
29. Connector device according to claim 21 , wherein the connector has a closable opening in the expiratory tube nozzle which, when opened, allows access into the expiratory lumen of the endotracheal tube.
30. Connector device according to claim 29 , further comprising a plug that, when introduced into the opening, forms a seal with the opening.
31. Connector device according to claim 29 , wherein the opening is sealed with an elastic membrane.
32. Connector device according to claim 21 , wherein the connector is Y-shaped or T-shaped.
33. Connector device according to claim 21 , wherein the separate inspiratory and expiratory chambers within the connector have a side-by-side configuration.
34. Connector device according to claim 21 , wherein the separate inspiratory and expiratory chambers within the connector are a tube within a tube.
35. Connector device according to claim 21 , wherein the connector comprises at least one groove or projection that articulates with a corresponding projection or groove on the endotracheal tube when the connector device is connected to the endotracheal tube.
36. A method of safely ventilating a patient with a double lumen endotracheal tube so as to provide for breathing of ambient air by the patient in cases of malfunction jeopardizing regular delivery of gas to the patient, said method comprising connecting a double lumen endotracheal tube for securing the airway of the patient to a ventilator or anesthesia machine via a connector device according to claim 21 .