Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
An endobronchial tube for selectively delivering air to one or both lungs of a human patient comprising: a tube with a longitudinal air flow passage for supplying air to ventilate at least one lung of a patient, said air flow passage extending the length of said tube, said tube having a tracheal portion adapted to be positioned within the trachea of a patient, said tube also having a bronchial portion extending from said tracheal portion and adapted to be positioned within one of the bronchi of a patient when said tracheal portion is positioned within the trachea; selectively inflatable longitudinally spaced first and second sealing means around said tracheal portion for selectively blocking air from flowing between said tracheal portion of said tube and the trachea; said passage having a first air outlet port, said first outlet port being located in said tracheal portion between said first and second sealing means, said first port providing an outlet for air from said said passage also having a second air outlet port, said second outlet port being located adjacent a distal end of said bronchial portion, said second port providing an outlet for air from said passage; and third sealing means around said bronchial portion between said second sealing means and said second port for selectively blocking air from flowing between said bronchial portion and the bronchus, said third sealing means being so spaced axially on said tube from said second sealing means that in use said third sealing means is positioned in the bronchus and said second sealing means is positioned in the trachea.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
An endobronchial tube for selectively delivering air to one or both lungs of a human patient comprising: a tube with a longitudinal air flow passage for supplying air to ventilate at least one lung of a patient, said air flow passage extending the length of said tube, said tube having a tracheal portion adapted to be positioned within the trachea of a patient, said tube also having a bronchial portion extending from said tracheal portion and adapted to be positioned within one of the bronchi of a patient when said tracheal portion is positioned within the trachea; selectively inflatable longitudinally spaced first and second sealing means around said tracheal portion for selectively blocking air from flowing between said tracheal portion of said tube and the trachea; said passage having a first air outlet port, said first outlet port being located in said tracheal portion between said first and second sealing means, said first port providing an outlet for air from said said passage also having a second air outlet port, said second outlet port being located adjacent a distal end of said bronchial portion, said second port providing an outlet for air from said passage; and third sealing means around said bronchial portion between said second sealing means and said second port for selectively blocking air from flowing between said bronchial portion and the bronchus, said third sealing means being so spaced axially on said tube from said second sealing means that in use said third sealing means is positioned in the bronchus and said second sealing means is positioned in the trachea.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The endobronchial tube of claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third sealing means comprise selectively inflatable first, second, and third balloon cuffs affixed around an outer surface of said tube, and air supply means for selectively individually inflating said first, second, and third cuffs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The endobronchial tube of claim 2 wherein said air supply means comprises a lumen extending longitudinally within a sidewall of said tube from each said cuff to a connector located external to the patient, said connector adapted for both delivery of air through said lumen to said cuff and blockage of air from escaping through said lumen from said inflated cuff.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The endobronchial tube of claim 1 wherein said bronchial portion is of a smaller cross-sectional area than said tracheal portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The endobronchial tube of claim 1 wherein said second sealing means is so located axially on said tracheal portion of said tube that in use, said second sealing means is positioned within the trachea of a patient above the separation of the mainstem bronchi, and said third sealing means is so located along said bronchial portion of said tube that in use said third sealing means is positioned below the separation of the mainstem bronchi.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The endobronchial tube of claim 1 wherein said second air outlet port is angled approximately 30° to 60° with respect to a longitudinal axis of said bronchial portion to aid in the intubation of said endobronchial tube into a patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The endobronchial tube of claim 1 wherein said first air outlet port is oblong and angled obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis of said tracheal portion to aid the escape of air from said tracheal portion.