AIRWAY EXCHANGE CATHETER

摘要

Soft-tipped airway exchange apparatus (10) for use when replacing an endotracheal tube (30) in a patient with a new endotracheal tube (30). The apparatus (10) comprises a polymeric catheter body sized for insertion into a passageway of the endotracheal tube (30), for ventilating the patient during replacement of the endotracheal tube (30). The catheter body has a proximal portion (12), a distal portion (16) and a ventilation passageway (17) extending longitudinally therein. The distal portion (16) has a rigidity whi ch is less than the rigidity of the proximal portion (12).