ENDOTRACHEAL CUFF AND TECHNIQUE FOR USING THE SAME

摘要

An inflatable balloon cuff with a water-swellable coating may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. The water-swellable coating may enhance a cuffs mechanical pressure seal. The water-swellable coating may be loosely adhered or not adhered to the cuff in order to allow the coating to flow into and seal any leak paths that may form when the cuff is inflated in a patient's trachea.