Patient ventilating apparatus with aspirating catheter

摘要

A patient ventilating and aspirating apparatus includes a connector fitting assembly, an elongated tubular flexible aspirating catheter element having a lumen therein, a collapsible sleeve and a closure mechanism which is operative for closing off the lumen in the catheter element. The connector fitting assembly is connectable to a tracheostomy connector installed in a patient and to a respiratory apparatus. The aspirating catheter element is received in the connector fitting assembly, and the collapsible sleeve is sealingly connected to the connector fitting assembly and to the catheter element. The aspirating catheter element is connectable to a source of vacuum, and it is longitudinally slidable in the connector fitting assembly for advancing the catheter element into the trachea of the patient. The closure mechanism is operable for controlling the application of vacuum to the catheter element without promoting residue buildups therein by selectively collapsing the catheter element to close off the lumen therein. The apparatus preferably further includes an irrigation port for irrigating the lumen in the catheter element in order to avoid clogging the catheter element.