Inner Lumen Tracheostomy Tube Capable of Continuous Monitoring of Cuff Pressure

Abstract

Tracheostomy is one of the most important airway management procedures in patients with respiratory problems. This procedure might be the only option for patients with airway and respiratory problems, who are not able to have an appropriate ventilation and oxygenation. For this purpose, tracheostomy tubes are used with different applications. One of these types of tubes is the cuffed tracheostomy tube, used for fixation, positive pressure ventilation and aspiration prevention. Nevertheless, there are two common problems with using these regular tracheostomy tubes. First, these tracheostomy tubes do not have a unique cuff pressure monitoring system. Although there are portable monitoring devices for such purpose in intensive care units (ICU), they are shared among several patients, increasing the risk of infection transmission. Second, due to the presence of the patient’s thick secretions, the tracheostomy tube becomes obstructed and inefficient. The pathway does not get open even through suction and thus the tracheostomy tube must be replaced. In order to resolve these problems, the inner lumen tracheostomy tube capable of continuous monitoring of cuff pressure has been invented with two techniques, which set it apart from other related tools. The invented optimized tracheostomy tube has been developed with different techniques through creating a disposable monometer system attached to it as well as a removable inner lumen embedded in it.

Keywords

• airway management
• intubation
• tracheostomy