Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An intubating device for intubating a stoma comprising: a multi-lumen tube; an inflatable retention cuff attached near one end of said tube and having a generally rounded configuration in an inflated state and a generally elongated configuration in a collapsed state; said cuff comprising an outer wall and a sponge-like material contained by said outer wall, said sponge-like material having a compressed state and remaining in said compressed state for an ascertainable period of time after having been maintained in said compressed state for a predetermined period of time; said tube comprising an inflation lumen having only a port communicating with said cuff to allow fluid flow to and from said cuff; and means positioned around said cuff for maintaining said cuff in said collapsed state for at least said predetermined period of time, wherein said means for maintaining is removed a period of time less than said ascertainable period of time prior to completion of intubation of said intubating device in a patient, said cuff remaining in said collapsed state during intubation and being expanded by the inflow of fluid in said cuff through said inflation lumen after intubation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
An intubating device for intubating a stoma comprising: a multi-lumen tube; an inflatable retention cuff attached near one end of said tube and having a generally rounded configuration in an inflated state and a generally elongated configuration in a collapsed state; said cuff comprising an outer wall and a sponge-like material contained by said outer wall, said sponge-like material having a compressed state and remaining in said compressed state for an ascertainable period of time after having been maintained in said compressed state for a predetermined period of time; said tube comprising an inflation lumen having only a port communicating with said cuff to allow fluid flow to and from said cuff; and means positioned around said cuff for maintaining said cuff in said collapsed state for at least said predetermined period of time, wherein said means for maintaining is removed a period of time less than said ascertainable period of time prior to completion of intubation of said intubating device in a patient, said cuff remaining in said collapsed state during intubation and being expanded by the inflow of fluid in said cuff through said inflation lumen after intubation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sponge-like material has a first rate of expansion in air and a second faster rate of expansion in a liquid, and wherein said cuff is expanded to said inflated state by the injection of said liquid in said inflation lumen after intubation of said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The intubating device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sponge-like material comprises polyurethane foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The intubating device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for maintaining comprises a tubular sleeve surrounding said cuff.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
An intubating device for intubating a stoma comprising: a tube having a first end and a second end and at least a first lumen for conveying fluids between said first and said second ends and a second lumen; an inflatable retention cuff attached near the second end of the tube and having a generally rounded configuration in an inflated state and a generally elongated configuration in a deflated state; said second lumen having only a port communicating with said cuff to allow fluid flow to and from said cuff, said second lumen being sealed with said cuff in said deflated state; a removable retaining device positioned around said cuff for maintaining said cuff in a collapsed state, wherein said removable retaining device is removed prior to completion of intubation of the intubating device in a patient and said second lumen is opened to allow inflation of said cuff after intubation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
An intubating device for intubating a stoma comprising: a tube having a first end and a second end and at least a first lumen for conveying fluids between said first and said second ends and a second lumen; an inflatable retention cuff attached near the second end of the tube and having a generally rounded configuration in an inflated state and a generally elongated configuration in a deflated state; said second lumen having only a port communicating with said cuff to allow fluid flow to and from said cuff, said second lumen being sealed with said cuff in said deflated state; a removable retaining device positioned around said cuff for maintaining said cuff in a collapsed state, wherein said removable retaining device is removed prior to completion of intubation of the intubating device in a patient and said second lumen is opened to allow inflation of said cuff after intubation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The intubating device of claim 5 wherein said cuff comprises an outer wall and a resilient sponge-like material contained by the outer wall to aid in inflation of said cuff.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The intubating device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said resilient sponge-like material has the property that it will temporarily retain a compressed shape after removal of said retaining device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The intubating device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said sponge-like material has the property that it expands in the presence of a liquid and wherein a liquid is injected in the cuff via said second lumen after injection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The intubating device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said sponge-like material comprises a polyurethane foam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The intubating device of claim 5 wherein said retaining device comprises a tubular sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An intubating device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first end has a conically-shaped, sealed end comprising an attached device for drawing said intubating device through a stoma.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for intubating a stoma formed by percutaneous endoscopic technique including passing one end of suture externally through the stoma to the patient's mouth, another end of the suture remaining outside the stoma, and further comprising the steps of: tying the suture to one end of a tube having an inflatable cuff near another end of said tube and having a removable sleeve for maintaining said cuff in a compressed state, said tube further comprising a first lumen extending from said one end to said other end and a second lumen extending from said one end and communicating with said inflatable cuff, said second lumen being sealed therealong for also maintaining said cuff in said compressed state; removing said removable sleeve; pulling said other end of said suture to draw said one end of said tube in a retrograde manner through said stoma; and opening said secondary lumen to inflate said cuff.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for intubating a stoma formed by percutaneous endoscopic technique including passing one end of suture externally through the stoma to the patient's mouth, another end of the suture remaining outside the stoma, and further comprising the steps of: tying the suture to one end of a tube having an inflatable cuff near another end of said tube and having a removable sleeve for maintaining said cuff in a compressed state, said tube further comprising a first lumen extending from said one end to said other end and a second lumen extending from said one end and communicating with said inflatable cuff, said second lumen being sealed therealong for also maintaining said cuff in said compressed state; removing said removable sleeve; pulling said other end of said suture to draw said one end of said tube in a retrograde manner through said stoma; and opening said secondary lumen to inflate said cuff.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method in accordance with claim 12 and further comprising the steps of: compressing said cuff and applying said sleeve over said cuff and sealing said second lumen at said one end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method in accordance with claim 13 and further comprising the step of evacuating the said cuff in the compressed state prior to said step of sealing said second lumen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method in accordance with claim 12 and further comprising the step of injecting sterilized water in said second lumen after said step of opening said second lumen to inflate said cuff.