The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 1997
Filed:
Mar. 20, 1996
Joseph Vilasi, Melbourne Beach, FL (US);
Other;
Abstract
A flexible expandable inter vivos tube includes at least one arched segmented portion and at least one positioning mechanism, the at least one arched segmented portion and at least one positioning mechanism forming a flexible closed longitudinally extending tube, preferably an endotracheal tube for introduction of oxygen and other anesthetic gases from a source thereof into the lungs of a surgical patient or similar mammal. The positioning mechanism is preferable an H-shaped connector having at least one cul-de-sac receptacle cavity for variable slidable movement of at least one tapered tongue free end portions of the at least one arched segment therein. To move the at least one tongue portion within the at least one cul-de-sac receptacle cavity, fluid is introduced into at least one longitudinally extending lumen running mostly along the longitudinal axis of the flexible expandable inter vivos tube, so that the hydraulic pressure moves the at least one tongue portion away from an inner rib of said at least one H-shaped connector, thereby expanding the circumference and diameter of the flexible inter vivos tube. The flexible expandable inter vivos tube, such as an endotracheal tube, anchors reversibly within a body cavity, such as a trachea. Thereby, the inter vivos tube can be optimally positioned in the body cavity, such as the trachea without interfering with the tissues of the body cavity.