CATHETER WITH INFLATION INDICATOR FOR CUFF BALLOON

摘要

An improved catheter is disclosed herein. The catheter includes a signal device for indicating and preventing overinflation of the inflatable catheter or cuff balloon. This improved signal device communicates with the cuff balloon so as to insure that the signal device will not inflate until the cuff balloon reaches a predetermined pressure and will not break a seal established by the cuff balloon during nonequilibrium, dynamic conditions. In one embodiment, the catheter also includes an inflation measurement device for use with the signal device in an endotracheal catheter. In combination, the signal device and inflation measurement device indicate the state of inflation of the cuff balloon to substantially avoid overinflation and improper placement thereof.