Endotracheal tube cleaning devices and methods of removing mucus accumulations from endotracheal tubes
An endotracheal tube cleaning device may comprise an elongated member, a cleaning member at a first end of the elongated member, and a collection member. The cleaning member may include a shaving region about a periphery thereof. The elongated member may extend through the collection member, and the elongated member and cleaning member may be slidable relative to the collection member.
1. A method of removing mucus accumulations from the inside walls of an endotracheal tube, the method comprising:
inserting a cleaning member into an endotracheal tube;
moving said cleaning member relative to said endotracheal tube such that a shaving region of said cleaning member shaves at least one mucous accumulation off the inside wall of said endotracheal tube;
prior to removing said cleaning member from the endotracheal tube, moving said cleaning member relative to a collection member disposed inside of said endotracheal tube such that said shaved-off mucous accumulation is directed into said collection member; and
removing said cleaning member and said collection member from said endotracheal tube.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising urging said shaving region of the cleaning member toward an inside wall of said endotracheal tube.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said urging comprises inflating said cleaning member.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising closing an open end of said collection member upon removal of the collection member from the endotracheal tube.