INSUFFLATION SYSTEM, ATTACHMENT AND METHOD

摘要

This invention is an insufflation system (56) that includes a first tube (62 ) that inserts into a patient's airway for providing a primary flow of breathi ng gas to such a patient. At least one insufflation catheter (66) is provided i n or within the first tube for delivering a flow of insufflation gas to the patient. In one embodiment, the flow of insufflation gas is delivered in a first direction generally toward the patient's lungs and in a second directi on generally opposite the first direction so that the flow in the second direction creates a negative stagnation pressure that substantially cancels out the positive stagnation pressure generated by flow in the first directio n. In a second embodiment, an exhaust vent (70) is provided in the first tube f or exhausting a flow of gas from the first tube at a rate that is equivalent to the rate at which the flow of insufflation gas is being delivered to the patient's airway, thereby preventing over-inflation of the patient's respiratory system. A third embodiment of the present invention involves a combination of the two embodiments discussed above.