Other

John C Adair

Wallace H Ring

Richard A Elwyn

A tracheal tube that may be constructed for either oral or nasal use is preformed as a flexible integral unit from flexible material having a memory so as to return to preformed shape following flexure. The tube has a proximal or machine end portion and a distal or patient end portion interconnected along the length of the tube by an intermediate portion and an abrupt bend portion. The distal or patient end portion and the adjoining intermediate portion merge into each other along the length of the tube and include curvature such that they will positionally conform to the shape of a patient's posterior pharynx and trachea and extend therealong when the tracheal tube is installed for use. The abrupt bend portion interconnects the proximal or machine end portion and the intermediate portion along the length of the tube at an angle substantially no greater than 90.degree., so such proximal or machine end portion will be located exteriorly of the body opening of the patient and will extend along the face of the patient exteriorly of such body opening when the tracheal tube is installed for use. In those embodiments intended for oral use, the distal or patient end portion extends in the same general direction as the proximal or machine end portion. In those intended for nasal use, the distal or patient end portion extends in the opposite direction. In both instances, there is a springlike action from the bend portion toward the distal or patient end of the tube that tends to hold the tube in place without harming delicate tissues. A pair of ports are preferably provided adjacent the distal or patient end of the tube as a safety measure to supply ventilation to both the right and th left lungs during anesthesia should the tube be accidentally advanced beyond the trachea.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

John C Adair