Medical tube including an inflatable cuff having a notched collar
View Patent ↗A medical device may include a tubular body configured to communicate gas and an inflatable cuff coupled to the tubular body at least by a collar. The tubular body may include an opening. The collar may include a notch positioned relative to the opening in the tubular body such that a passageway extends through at least a portion of the notch and at least a portion of the opening.
1. A medical device, comprising:
a tubular body configured to communicate gas, the tubular body including an opening; a suction lumen extending along at least a portion of the tubular body and in fluid communication with the opening in the tubular body; and
an inflatable cuff coupled to the tubular body at least by a collar;
wherein said collar includes a notch positioned relative to the opening in the tubular body such that a passageway extends through at least a portion of the notch and at least a portion of the opening.
2. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the inflatable cuff includes another collar; and
the inflatable cuff is coupled to the tubular body at least by the two collars.
3. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch and the opening are fully aligned.
4. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch and the opening are partially aligned such that at least a portion of the notch overlies a material portion of the tubular body and at least a portion of the opening underlies a material portion of the collar.
5. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the inflatable cuff includes an inflatable portion;
the collar has a first end adjacent the inflatable cuff and a second end; and
an edge of the notch closest to the second end of the collar is at least 0.05 inches from the second end of the collar.
6. A medical device according to claim 5 , wherein the edge of the notch closest to the second end of the collar is about 0.0625 inches from the second end of the collar.
7. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the inflatable cuff includes an inflatable portion adjacent a first end of the collar; and
an edge of the notch closest to the first end of the collar is at least 0.05 inches from the first end of the collar.
8. A medical device according to claim 7 , wherein the edge of the notch closest to the first end of the collar is about 0.0625 inches from the first end of the collar.
9. A medical device according to claim 1 , further comprising a band extending at least partially around the collar to help secure the collar to the tubular body.
10. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch is open-ended.
11. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch comprises an enclosed hole.
12. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch is substantially V-shaped.
13. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch is substantially U-shaped.
14. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch has a substantially rectangular shape.
15. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch has a substantially square shape.
16. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch has a substantially circular shape.
17. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch has a substantially ovoid shape.
18. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch has a substantially elliptical shape.
19. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch in the collar and the opening in the tubular body have substantially similar shapes.
20. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch in the collar and the opening in the tubular body have different shapes.
21. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch in the collar and the opening in the tubular body have substantially similar sizes.
22. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the notch in the collar and the opening in the tubular body have different sizes.
23. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises an endotracheal tube.
24. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a tracheostomy tube.
25. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises an oropharyngeal tube.
26. A medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a catheter.
27. A medical device, comprising:
conveying means for channeling gas to an area of the body including an opening; a suction lumen extending along at least a portion of the conveying means and in fluid communication with the opening in the conveying means;
sealing means for sealing said conveying means against the wall of a body cavity; and
attaching means for attaching said sealing means to said conveying means, wherein the attaching means includes a collar having a notch positioned relative to the opening in the conveying means such that a passageway extends through at least a portion of the notch and at least a portion of the opening.