Patent US3931822A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3931822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic alternating cuff endo tracheal tube inflator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-02-26
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Granted: 1976-01-13
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Expires: 1994-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A multi-cuff endo-tracheal tube which minimizes the irritation to the trachea by alternately inflating one or the other of two cuffs. A short period of time after one cuff is inflated the previously inflated cuff is deflated. This removes the possible source of irritation on the trachea at the point of contact with the second cuff. After the first cuff has been in operation for a predetermined period of time, the second cuff is inflated and after another short interval, the first cuff is deflated. A control system alternately and sequentially inflates and deflates the cuffs in the proper sequence, automatically. The control system is fail-safe in that, in the event of cuff rupture, overpressurization, or electrical failure, one or the other of the cuffs remains inflated to seal the endo-tracheal tube and the control system alerts attendant personnel.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank N. Marici
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0434; A61M16/044; A61M16/0454; A61M16/0459
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An alternating cuff endo-tracheal tube including, an endo-tracheal tube, at least two cuffs surrounding said endo-tracheal tube, each of said cuffs capable of forming an air tight seal against the trachea when inflated, and a control unit sensing pressure in each of said cuffs and in said endo-tracheal tube and controlling the pressure in both said cuffs, said control unit including, for each of said cuffs, a moveable member urged in one direction to pressurize the associated cuff, means responsive to pressurization of said endo-tracheal tube to further urge said moveable member in said one direction to increase pressure in said associated cuff, and deflating means, when energized, to urge said moveable member in said other direction to deflate said associate cuff, and timing means, when activated to energize and deenergize both said deflating means alternately and in sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An alternating cuff endo-tracheal tube including, an endo-tracheal tube, at least two cuffs surrounding said endo-tracheal tube, each of said cuffs capable of forming an air tight seal against the trachea when inflated, and a control unit sensing pressure in each of said cuffs and in said endo-tracheal tube and controlling the pressure in both said cuffs, said control unit including, for each of said cuffs, a moveable member urged in one direction to pressurize the associated cuff, means responsive to pressurization of said endo-tracheal tube to further urge said moveable member in said one direction to increase pressure in said associated cuff, and deflating means, when energized, to urge said moveable member in said other direction to deflate said associate cuff, and timing means, when activated to energize and deenergize both said deflating means alternately and in sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
124 words
A pressure controlling device for controlling the pressure of a cuff on an endo-tracheal tube in accordance with pressure variations in said tube comprising, a movable member normally urged in one direction, first transducing means connected to said cuff and to said movable member to pressurize said cuff in response to movement in said one direction by said movable member, and second transducing means connected to said tube and to said movable member to move said movable member in said one direction in response to pressure increases in said tube to thereby increase the pressure in said cuff and, to move said movable member in said other direction in response to pressure decreases in said tube to thereby decrease the pressure in said cuff.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
A pressure controlling device for controlling the pressure of a cuff on an endo-tracheal tube in accordance with pressure variations in said tube comprising, a movable member normally urged in one direction, first transducing means connected to said cuff and to said movable member to pressurize said cuff in response to movement in said one direction by said movable member, and second transducing means connected to said tube and to said movable member to move said movable member in said one direction in response to pressure increases in said tube to thereby increase the pressure in said cuff and, to move said movable member in said other direction in response to pressure decreases in said tube to thereby decrease the pressure in said cuff.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means further includes, means responsive to the pressure in a cuff being below a predetermined value when said associated deflating means is deenergized to deactivate said timing means to to deenergize the deflating means associated with said other cuff.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 3 which further includes a pressure responsive device sensing pressure in said tube, said pressure responsive device causing energization of both said deflating means in response to pressure in said tube above a predetermined amount.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 3 which further includes means responsive to movement of said movable member in said one direction beyond a predetermined point to deactivate said timing means and to energize the deflating means associated with the cuff associated with said movable member and to deenergize the other deflating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
A cuff inflating device for an endo-tracheal tube having a cuff, operated by a respirator supplying said tube, comprising a movable member normally urged in one direction, first transducing means connected to said cuff and to said movable member to pressurize said cuff in response to movement of said movable member in said one direction, and second transducing means connected to said tube and to said movable member to urge said movable member in said one direction in response to increases in pressure in said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A cuff inflating device for an endo-tracheal tube having a cuff, operated by a respirator supplying said tube, comprising a movable member normally urged in one direction, first transducing means connected to said cuff and to said movable member to pressurize said cuff in response to movement of said movable member in said one direction, and second transducing means connected to said tube and to said movable member to urge said movable member in said one direction in response to increases in pressure in said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 6 which further includes deflating means to move said movable member in said other direction to deflate said cuff, when said deflating means is energized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 5 which further includes a unidirectional valve to admit air into said first transducing means but to prevent air from escaping from said transducing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said moveable member includes a lever arm pivoted about a fulcrum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which said first and second transducers comprise first and second bellows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which a weight is supported by said moveable member to normally urge said moveable member in said one direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3529596A
Cited
US3794026A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-01-12 | 1979-07-14 | 1980-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-12 | 1983-07-14 | 1984-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-12 | 1987-07-14 | 1988-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |