Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
In a hydraulic cuff tracheal tube assembly including a tracheal tube adapted for insertion into the trachea of a patient, for introducing and removing respiratory air, a cuff surrounding the distal end of the tube, the cuff being larger in diameter than the diameter of the trachea, pliable and readily collapsible, and a filling means including a flexible filling lumen having a proximal portion separate from and movable relative to said tracheal tube, said lumen adapted to introduce liquid into said cuff for distending the cuff and enabling the cuff to be sealed against the tracheal wall, the improvement wherein said filling means comprises a collapsible, non-elastic, non-pressure applying container for containing filling water and connected to the proximal end of said flexible filling lumen, to communicate there-through with said cuff, said container, lumen and cuff comprising a closed liquid System, said lumen and container extending a predetermined distance from said cuff corresponding to a preselected fill pressure measured in inches of water, said pressure being less than that pressure which can cause damage to the tracheal tissue, said assembly enabling the container to be vertically spaced from said cuff said distance and produce said preselected gravity head pressure on the tracheal wall by said cuff through free flow of liquid from said container into said cuff, with attendant non-pressure applying collapse of said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a hydraulic cuff tracheal tube assembly including a tracheal tube adapted for insertion into the trachea of a patient, for introducing and removing respiratory air, a cuff surrounding the distal end of the tube, the cuff being larger in diameter than the diameter of the trachea, pliable and readily collapsible, and a filling means including a flexible filling lumen having a proximal portion separate from and movable relative to said tracheal tube, said lumen adapted to introduce liquid into said cuff for distending the cuff and enabling the cuff to be sealed against the tracheal wall, the improvement wherein said filling means comprises a collapsible, non-elastic, non-pressure applying container for containing filling water and connected to the proximal end of said flexible filling lumen, to communicate there-through with said cuff, said container, lumen and cuff comprising a closed liquid System, said lumen and container extending a predetermined distance from said cuff corresponding to a preselected fill pressure measured in inches of water, said pressure being less than that pressure which can cause damage to the tracheal tissue, said assembly enabling the container to be vertically spaced from said cuff said distance and produce said preselected gravity head pressure on the tracheal wall by said cuff through free flow of liquid from said container into said cuff, with attendant non-pressure applying collapse of said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said collapsible container comprises a collapsible bag formed of flaccid material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said bag is defined by flexible plastic sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said container extends less than 25 centimeters from said cuff and said closed liquid system is adapted to contain water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The assembly of claim 1 adapted to receive liquid at the point of use, said assembly including a sealing member through which liquid can be introduced into said container, a releasable valve means for preventing flow of liquid into said cuff until desired, said container being in a state of collapse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said system formed by said cuff, lumen and container is evacuated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said closed system contains liquid of a volume equal to about one half the total volume capacity of said system, at least part of said system always residing in a partially collapsed state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said container is separable from said cuff, the container having a seal for preventing escape of liquid when standing alone, the container being attachable to said system and said seal being openable to permit said free flow.