A tracheal tube ventilation apparatus which efficiently rids patients of expired gases and promotes healthier breathing.

Through injury or diseases, human or animal lungs may become too weak to sustain a sufficient flow of oxygen to the body and to remove adequate amounts of expired carbon dioxide. The present invention is a tracheal tube ventilation apparatus which efficiently rids patients of expired gases and promotes healthier breathing. This is accomplished by creating one or more leak holes in the wall of the endotracheal tube above the larynx, such as in the back of the mouth (i.e., oropharynx), so that expired gases can leak out of the endotracheal tube. The described apparatus is a two stage tube where the first stage has a smaller diameter such that it fits within the confined area of the lower trachea and the second stage has a larger diameter, which fits properly within the larger diameter of the patient's pharynx. The endotracheal tube is preferably wire reinforced and ultra-thin walled so as to reduce airway resistance. The invention substantially reduces endotracheal dead space and is expected to benefit those patients with both early and late stage acute respiratory failure, and reduce or obviate the need for mechanical pulmonary ventilation in many patients.

Applications:
Tracheal tube ventilation
Efficiently rid patient of expired gases and thereby promote healthier breathing

Development Status:
System is well developed and operational.

• U.S. Patent No. 7,107,991 issued 19 Sep 2006 (HHS Reference No. E-269-2001/0-US-01)
• PCT Application No. PCT/US02/29319 filed 16 Sep 2002 (HHS Reference No. E-269-2001/0-PCT-02)
• Canadian National Stage Filing, Application No. 2463538, filed 16 Sep 2002 (HHS Reference No. E-269-2001/0-CA-03)
• European National Stage Filing, Application No. 02773398.9, filed 28 Mar 2004 (HHS Reference No. E-269-2001/0-EP-04)

Inventor:
Theodor Kolobow (NHLBI)

Licensees Sought:
Available for non-exclusive or exclusive licensing.

Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The NHLBI/Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine Branch (PCCMB) is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize innovative endotracheal tube technology. Please contact Marianne Lynch at 301-594-4094 or lynchm@nhlbi.nih.gov for more information.