Apparatus and method for monitoring an airway device such as an endotracheal tube

摘要

An airway device (14), that is used to maintain a clear airway in a patient, e.g. for artificial ventilation during surgery, comprises an inflatable cuff (26), which is inflated when in position in a patient's airway (24). The inflated cuff (26) provides a seal to maintain the device (14) in position in a patient's airway (24), and to prevent leakage of infected oropharangeal secretions into the patient's lungs. A method and apparatus (10) for monitoring and controlling the pressure in the inflatable cuff (26) is described, which, in one embodiment, controls the pressure about a setpoint pressure, whilst preventing loss of sealing pressure during a patient's respiratory cycle. In other embodiments, the method and apparatus monitors for: leaks in the pressure system of the device (14) that includes the cuff (26); blockage in the pressure system, and/or malpositioning of the airway device (14) during use.

主权项

1. A method for detecting a change in position of an airway device with an inflatable seal having a first measured pressure value within a predefined tolerance band centered about a preselected set point pressure value, the method comprising:
receiving a second measured pressure value indicative of the pressure of the inflatable seal and comparing the second measured pressure value to the first measured pressure value to determine a first difference; determining whether the first difference is greater than a predetermined amount; starting a timer for a predetermined time period if the difference is greater than the predetermined amount; while the timer is running, receiving a third pressure value indicative of the pressure of the inflatable seal and comparing the third pressure value with the preselected set point pressure value to determine a second difference; determining whether the second difference is within the predefined tolerance band; indicating a detected change in position of the airway device if the predetermined time period of the timer has expired and the second difference is outside the predefined tolerance band.