Bronchoscopy tube

Claim 1

A tube for inserting a flexible, elongated, generally cylindrical, fiberoptic bronchoscope through the vocal cords in the larynx while maintaining adequate volumes of gas for ventilating the patient, said tube comprising: a tubular body of flexible material having first and second axially aligned sections with a central passage extending from a proximal to a distal end having received within each of said sections bronchoscope, said first section of said tubular body being immediately adjacent the distal end and having an external diameter sufficiently small to permit passage between the vocal cords of the patient and an internal diameter which maximizes clearance with the bronchoscope, said first section being sufficient in length to pass through the larynx into the trachea beyond, said distal end being shaped to provide a smooth tip for ease of insertion, said second section being adjacent said proximal end of said tube and having internal and external diameters greater than those of said first section and sufficiently large to pass gas volumes adequate to ventilate the patient with the bronchoscope in said central passage; an expandable, inflatable cuff located on said distal end of said first body section so as to be in the trachea below the larynx when the tube is in use; an axially extending inflation lumen disposed contiguous with said tubular body, said inflation lumen communicating with said cuff for permitting inflation of same; and an adaptor affixed to the proximal end of said tubular body and communicating with said central passage, said adaptor being provided with means for connection to ventilating gas supply means and an entry port for introducing the bronchoscope into said central passage, said port having means for forming a seal with the bronchoscope.