Endotracheal Tube Using Unique Leak Hole to Lower Dead Space

Description: 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.

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