Endotracheal tube apparatus and method

Claim 1

An endotracheal tube comprising a flexible member having distal and proximal open ends and a tubular passage therebetween, said member being formed of nontoxic material that is heat stable in its physical characteristics within the range of human temperature to be encountered in use, has a hardness of about 80 durometer, and an inside diameter to wall thickness ratio in the range of 3 to 4:1 so that the member is non-collapsible during insertion and while in place in the trachea, and is capable of withstanding a 90 degree bend without collapsing, and further including an inflatable cuff or balloon of a gas impervious material on the distal end of said tube, said cuff having distal and proximal ends secured to the exterior surface of the tube, said distal end of the cuff comprising an annular cuff end having an opening facing in the direction of the proximal end of the tube, the material of the cuff extending toward the distal end of the tube and reversing its direction to overlap said open end of the cuff and then extending to the proximal end thereof, and said proximal end of the cuff comprising an annular cuff end having an opening facing in the direction of the proximal end of the tube, said cuff tapering in diameter from said distal end to said proximal end, said cuff at the distal end of the cuff being positioned at the distal end of the tube substantially at the open end thereof, but free of that opening, and means for inflating said cuff on said tube.