US3989571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making a smooth tipped endotracheal tube
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-18
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1994-11-18
Abstract
Abstract An endotracheal tube including a preformed inflatable plastisol balloon telescopically fitted over and secured to a forward end portion of a dual-lumen tube. The inflatable balloon is formed with an elongated forward collar which is fitted onto the dual-lumen tube. The tube and collar are simultaneously severed along a biased cut to provide an open front end of the endotracheal tube. The forward collar and dual-lumen tube are then fused into a generally homogeneous mass to provide a smooth exterior sliding surface at the forward end portion of the endotracheal tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Harautuneian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1027; A61M25/1036; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0475; A61M16/0477; A61M16/0484; A61M16/0486; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1062; Y10T156/1066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of making a smooth tipped medical tube comprising the steps of: forming a dual-lumen tube; separately forming an inflatable balloon with a permanently enlarged center portion, a forward collar section, and a rearward collar section; inserting the dual-lumen tube into a rear collar section, through the enlarged inflatable section and into the forward collar of the balloon; severing a forward portion of either one or both of the dual-lumen tube and the forward collar so the forward collar and dual-lumen tube are coterminous at a forward end of the medical tube; and forming the forward end portion of the dual-lumen tube and overlying front collar into a smooth, rounded lip with no visible ridge or joint surrounding an open forward end of the medical tube.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of making a smooth tipped medical tube comprising the steps of: forming a dual-lumen tube; separately forming an inflatable balloon with a permanently enlarged center portion, a forward collar section, and a rearward collar section; inserting the dual-lumen tube into a rear collar section, through the enlarged inflatable section and into the forward collar of the balloon; severing a forward portion of either one or both of the dual-lumen tube and the forward collar so the forward collar and dual-lumen tube are coterminous at a forward end of the medical tube; and forming the forward end portion of the dual-lumen tube and overlying front collar into a smooth, rounded lip with no visible ridge or joint surrounding an open forward end of the medical tube.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of making an endotracheal tube comprising the steps of: forming an insertion tube with an outer wall, a main lumen, an inflation lumen, and an opening through the outer wall into the inflation lumen; separately forming an inflatable thermoplastic tracheal balloon; telescopically fitting said tracheal balloon over said insertion tube to cover said opening in the tube's wall; securing end portions of the inflatable balloon to the wall of the dual-lumen tube to form two spaced-apart annular airtight joints between the balloon and insertion tube; severing portions of both the tracheal balloon and the dual-lumen tube to form a front end portion of the endotracheal tube that is coterminous with the balloon's front end; and forming the front end surfaces of the severed tracheal balloon and endotracheal tube into a smooth, rounded bonded surface with no visible ridge or joint for easy insertion into a patient.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of making an endotracheal tube comprising the steps of: forming an insertion tube with an outer wall, a main lumen, an inflation lumen, and an opening through the outer wall into the inflation lumen; separately forming an inflatable thermoplastic tracheal balloon; telescopically fitting said tracheal balloon over said insertion tube to cover said opening in the tube's wall; securing end portions of the inflatable balloon to the wall of the dual-lumen tube to form two spaced-apart annular airtight joints between the balloon and insertion tube; severing portions of both the tracheal balloon and the dual-lumen tube to form a front end portion of the endotracheal tube that is coterminous with the balloon's front end; and forming the front end surfaces of the severed tracheal balloon and endotracheal tube into a smooth, rounded bonded surface with no visible ridge or joint for easy insertion into a patient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the tracheal balloon and the dual-lumen tube are fused together and the forward lip surface is post formed by heat into a smooth rounded generally homogeneous thermoplastic tip for a smooth sliding insertion into a patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2, wherein portions of the tracheal balloon and dual-lumen tube are severed simultaneously.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the forward end of the endotracheal tube and tracheal balloon is severed at a bias to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the endotracheal tube and tracheal balloon are severed at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to its longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for forming a medical tube with attached balloon comprising the steps of: forming a tube with a longitudinal axis; separately forming a balloon with a pair of tubular collars at opposite longitudinal ends of the balloon; inserting said tube into the balloon until both collars are fitted around the tube; adjusting the longitudinal relationship of the tube and balloon so that one collar of the balloon and the tube have forward ends which are coterminous; and forming the forward end portions of said one collar, and the tube into a smooth, rounded bonded surface with no visible ridge or joint for easy insertion into a patient.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for forming a medical tube with attached balloon comprising the steps of: forming a tube with a longitudinal axis; separately forming a balloon with a pair of tubular collars at opposite longitudinal ends of the balloon; inserting said tube into the balloon until both collars are fitted around the tube; adjusting the longitudinal relationship of the tube and balloon so that one collar of the balloon and the tube have forward ends which are coterminous; and forming the forward end portions of said one collar, and the tube into a smooth, rounded bonded surface with no visible ridge or joint for easy insertion into a patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the forward ends of said one collar and tube are heat fused into a smooth rounded bonded surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the adjusting step includes simulatenously severing said one collar and the tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the forward end of said one collar has a closed end portion that is severed from a remaining portion of said one collar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |