SECRETION CLEARING VENTILATION CATHETER AND AIRWAY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

摘要

A pulmonary secretion clearing ventilation catheter and related airway management system is disclosed. The ventilation catheter has a double lumen portion which each lumen of the double lumen portion operably secured to an airway management system so that inspiratory fluid (air/oxygen mixtures, with or without added water vapor) is delivered to the distal end of the ventilation catheter through one of the two lumens and expired inspiratory fluid, pulmonary secretions, and pulmonary fluids are removed from the patent through the other lumen. The expiratory fluid pathway preferably includes a secretion collection system for removing the pulmonary secretions and the like from the pathway, thereby improving operation and safety of the system. An improved inflatable cuff is also disclosed that permits a slight air leakage in the pneumatic seal between the patient's lungs and the environment, thereby facilitating removal of pulmonary secretions from the patient's lungs.