Catheter placement locking and sealing device

Claim 1

An apparatus for coupling to the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter to maintain established ventilating parameters in a ventilating circuit while permitting a diagnostic catheter to be advanced into the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter, said apparatus comprising: a) a coupling tube having non-linearly aligned first and second ends, said first end of said coupling tube being attachable to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; b) a port formed between said first and second ends of said coupling tube in substantial axial alignment with said first end of said coupling tube, said port being capable of receiving said diagnostic catheter such that said diagnostic catheter can be disposed within said port; c) slidable restraining means attached to said coupling tube at said for selectively sealing the longitudinal position of the diagnostic catheter, said slidable restraining means moveable between a first and a second position such that in said first position the diagnostic catheter is freely moveable longitudinally relative to the restraining means and in the second position the diameter of the diagnostic catheter is compressed to actively restrain any diagnostic catheter longitudinal movement relative to the restraining means; and d) means, communicating with said port, for isolating ventilation fluids within said ventilating circuit when said diagnostic catheter is not disposed within said port.

Claim 2

An apparatus for coupling to the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter to maintain established ventilating parameters in a ventilating circuit while permitting a diagnostic catheter to be advanced into the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter, said apparatus comprising: a) a coupling tube having non-linearly aligned first and second ends, said first end of said coupling tube being attachable to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; b) a port formed between said first and second ends of said coupling tube in substantial axial alignment with said first end of said coupling tube, said port being capable of receiving said diagnostic catheter such that said diagnostic catheter can be disposed within said port; c) slidable restraining means attached to said coupling tube at said for selectively sealing the longitudinal position of the diagnostic catheter, said slidable restraining means moveable between a first and a second position such that in said first position the diagnostic catheter is freely moveable longitudinally relative to the restraining means and in the second position the diameter of the diagnostic catheter is compressed to actively restrain any diagnostic catheter longitudinal movement relative to the restraining means; and d) means, communicating with said port, for isolating ventilation fluids within said ventilating circuit when said diagnostic catheter is not disposed within said port.

Claim 9

An apparatus for coupling the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter to a ventilating circuit while permitting a diagnostic catheter to be advanced into the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter without loss of established ventilating parameters in the ventilating circuit, said apparatus comprising: a) a catheter guide tube having proximal and distal ends, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the diagnostic catheter; b) isolating means for coupling the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter to the ventilating circuit and for confining the flow of ventilating gases between the endotracheal tube adapter and the ventilating circuit without losing established ventilating parameters therein when the diagnostic catheter is advanced into the endotracheal tube adapter, said isolating means communicating with said distal end of said catheter guide tube; and c) slidable restraining means, disposed intermediate the isolating means and the catheter guide tube, for selectively sealing the longitudinal position of the diagnostic catheter, said slidable restraining means moveable between a first and second position such that in said first position the diagnostic catheter is freely moveable longitudinally relative to the restraining means and in the second position the diameter of the diagnostic catheter is compressed to actively restrain any diagnostic catheter longitudinal movement relative to the restraining means.

Claim 10

An apparatus for coupling the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter to a ventilating circuit while permitting a diagnostic catheter to be advanced into the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter without loss of established ventilating parameters in the ventilating circuit, said apparatus comprising: a) a catheter guide tube having proximal and distal ends, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the diagnostic catheter; b) isolating means for coupling the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter to the ventilating circuit and for confining the flow of ventilating gases between the endotracheal tube adapter and the ventilating circuit without losing established ventilating parameters therein when the diagnostic catheter is advanced into the endotracheal tube adapter, said isolating means communicating with said distal end of said catheter guide tube; and c) slidable restraining means, disposed intermediate the isolating means and the catheter guide tube, for selectively sealing the longitudinal position of the diagnostic catheter, said slidable restraining means moveable between a first and second position such that in said first position the diagnostic catheter is freely moveable longitudinally relative to the restraining means and in the second position the diameter of the diagnostic catheter is compressed to actively restrain any diagnostic catheter longitudinal movement relative to the restraining means.

Claim 28

An apparatus for coupling the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter to a ventilating circuit while permitting a diagnostic catheter to be advanced into the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter without loss of established ventilating parameters in the ventilating circuit, said apparatus comprising: a) a coupling tube having non-linearly aligned first and second ends, said first end of said coupling tube being attachable to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; b) a port formed between said first and second ends of said coupling tube in substantial alignment with said first end of said coupling tube and the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter, said port being capable of making sealing engagement with the outer surface of the diagnostic catheter thereby preventing the loss of established ventilating parameters in the ventilating circuit; and c) fixation means attached to said coupling tube at said port for selectively securing the longitudinal position of the diagnostic catheter when the diagnostic catheter is disposed in said port, said fixation means comprising 1) a catheter guide tube having proximal and distal ends and communicating at said distal end thereof with said port, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the diagnostic catheter, and 2) an ingress harbor formed between said proximal and distal ends of said catheter guide tube transversing the longitudinal axis of said catheter guide tube.

Claim 29

An apparatus for coupling the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter to a ventilating circuit while permitting a diagnostic catheter to be advanced into the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter without loss of established ventilating parameters in the ventilating circuit, said apparatus comprising: a) a coupling tube having non-linearly aligned first and second ends, said first end of said coupling tube being attachable to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; b) a port formed between said first and second ends of said coupling tube in substantial alignment with said first end of said coupling tube and the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter, said port being capable of making sealing engagement with the outer surface of the diagnostic catheter thereby preventing the loss of established ventilating parameters in the ventilating circuit; and c) fixation means attached to said coupling tube at said port for selectively securing the longitudinal position of the diagnostic catheter when the diagnostic catheter is disposed in said port, said fixation means comprising 1) a catheter guide tube having proximal and distal ends and communicating at said distal end thereof with said port, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the diagnostic catheter, and 2) an ingress harbor formed between said proximal and distal ends of said catheter guide tube transversing the longitudinal axis of said catheter guide tube.

Claim 42

An apparatus for coupling the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter to a ventilating circuit while permitting a bronchoalveolar lavage catheter to be advanced into the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter without loss of positive end expiratory pressure in the ventilating circuit, the apparatus comprising: a) a tubular elbow having non-linearly aligned first and second ends and being connectable to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; b) an access vent formed through the outer wall said tubular elbow between said first and second ends in axial alignment with said first end of said tubular elbow and the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; and c) a gasket at said access vent, said gasket having a centrally located aperture capable of making sealing engagement with the outer surface of the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter when the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter is disposed in said access vent, thereby preventing the loss of the positive end expiratory pressure in the ventilation circuit; d) a catheter guide tube having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said catheter guide tube communicating through said access vent to said tubular elbow, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter; e) an ingress harbor formed between said proximal and distal ends of said catheter guide tube transversing the longitudinal axis of said catheter guide tube; and f) a slide plate capable of moving within and occupying said ingress harbor between a first and a second position, said slide plate in said first position permitting free longitudinal movement of the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter when the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter is received in said guide tube, and said slide plate in said second position frictionally engaging and restraining the longitudinal movement of the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter.

Claim 43

An apparatus for coupling the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter to a ventilating circuit while permitting a bronchoalveolar lavage catheter to be advanced into the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter without loss of positive end expiratory pressure in the ventilating circuit, the apparatus comprising: a) a tubular elbow having non-linearly aligned first and second ends and being connectable to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; b) an access vent formed through the outer wall said tubular elbow between said first and second ends in axial alignment with said first end of said tubular elbow and the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; and c) a gasket at said access vent, said gasket having a centrally located aperture capable of making sealing engagement with the outer surface of the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter when the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter is disposed in said access vent, thereby preventing the loss of the positive end expiratory pressure in the ventilation circuit; d) a catheter guide tube having proximal and distal ends, said distal end of said catheter guide tube communicating through said access vent to said tubular elbow, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter; e) an ingress harbor formed between said proximal and distal ends of said catheter guide tube transversing the longitudinal axis of said catheter guide tube; and f) a slide plate capable of moving within and occupying said ingress harbor between a first and a second position, said slide plate in said first position permitting free longitudinal movement of the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter when the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter is received in said guide tube, and said slide plate in said second position frictionally engaging and restraining the longitudinal movement of the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter.

Claim 50

A system for conducting bronchoalveolar lavage in a lung of a patient without loss of positive end expiratory pressure in a ventilating circuit coupled to the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter, said system comprising: a) a bronchoalveolar lavage catheter so sized and configured as to extend from a bronchiole in the lung of a patient through the upper respiratory system of the patient; b) isolating means for coupling the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter to the ventilating circuit and for confining the flow of ventilating gases between the endotracheal tube adapter and the ventilating circuit without losing the positive end expiratory pressure therein when said bronchoalveolar lavage catheter extends from a bronchiole in the lung of the patient through the upper respiratory system of the patient, said isolating means comprising a tubular elbow connectable to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter, said tubular elbow having non-linearly aligned first and second ends, said tubular elbow having an access vent formed through the outer wall of aid tubular elbow between said first and second ends in axial alignment with said first end of said tubular elbow and the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; and c) fixation means secured to said isolating means for selectively securing the longitudinal position of said bronchoalveolar lavage catheter when said bronchoalveolar lavage catheter extends from a bronchiole in the lung of the patient through the upper respiratory system of the patient, said fixation means comprising a catheter guide tube having proximal and distal ends and communicating at said distal end thereof to said tubular elbow, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter said catheter guide tube having an ingress harbor formed between said proximal and distal ends of said catheter guide tube and transversing the longitudinal axis of said catheter guide tube.

Claim 51

A system for conducting bronchoalveolar lavage in a lung of a patient without loss of positive end expiratory pressure in a ventilating circuit coupled to the proximal end of an endotracheal tube adapter, said system comprising: a) a bronchoalveolar lavage catheter so sized and configured as to extend from a bronchiole in the lung of a patient through the upper respiratory system of the patient; b) isolating means for coupling the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter to the ventilating circuit and for confining the flow of ventilating gases between the endotracheal tube adapter and the ventilating circuit without losing the positive end expiratory pressure therein when said bronchoalveolar lavage catheter extends from a bronchiole in the lung of the patient through the upper respiratory system of the patient, said isolating means comprising a tubular elbow connectable to the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter, said tubular elbow having non-linearly aligned first and second ends, said tubular elbow having an access vent formed through the outer wall of aid tubular elbow between said first and second ends in axial alignment with said first end of said tubular elbow and the proximal end of the endotracheal tube adapter; and c) fixation means secured to said isolating means for selectively securing the longitudinal position of said bronchoalveolar lavage catheter when said bronchoalveolar lavage catheter extends from a bronchiole in the lung of the patient through the upper respiratory system of the patient, said fixation means comprising a catheter guide tube having proximal and distal ends and communicating at said distal end thereof to said tubular elbow, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the bronchoalveolar lavage catheter said catheter guide tube having an ingress harbor formed between said proximal and distal ends of said catheter guide tube and transversing the longitudinal axis of said catheter guide tube.

Claim 57

A method for installing a diagnostic catheter communicable with the respiratory tract of a patient when the patient is connected to a ventilation circuit, the method comprising the steps of: a) installing an endotracheal tube adapter at the proximal end of an endotracheal tube; b) coupling a tubular elbow having a non-linearly aligned first and second ends to said proximal end of said endotracheal tube adapter and coupling said second end of said tubular elbow to the ventilating circuit, said tubular elbow having an access vent in substantial alignment therewith, said access vent situate between said first and second ends of said tubular elbow,. said access vent having a gasket with a centrally located aperture capable of making sealing engagement with the outer surface of the diagnostic catheter, thereby preventing the loss of established ventilating parameters in the ventilation circuit; c) coupling fixation means to said tubular elbow for selectively securing the longitudinal position of the diagnostic catheter, by performing the steps of: coupling a catheter guide tube, having proximal and distal ends and a moveable medial slide plate therein which moves transversing the longitudinal axis of said catheter guide tube, to said access vent by said distal end of said catheter guide tube, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the diagnostic catheter; d) advancing the distal end of the diagnostic catheter through the said access vent into the respiratory tract of the patient; e) longitudinally securing the position of the diagnostic catheter with said fixation means when the diagnostic catheter has been installed, by performing the steps of: moving said slide plate between a first and a second position, said slide plate in said first position permitting free longitudinal movement of the diagnostic catheter disposed with said access vent, and said slide plate in said second position frictionally engaging and restraining the longitudinal movement of the diagnostic catheter.

Claim 58

A method for installing a diagnostic catheter communicable with the respiratory tract of a patient when the patient is connected to a ventilation circuit, the method comprising the steps of: a) installing an endotracheal tube adapter at the proximal end of an endotracheal tube; b) coupling a tubular elbow having a non-linearly aligned first and second ends to said proximal end of said endotracheal tube adapter and coupling said second end of said tubular elbow to the ventilating circuit, said tubular elbow having an access vent in substantial alignment therewith, said access vent situate between said first and second ends of said tubular elbow,. said access vent having a gasket with a centrally located aperture capable of making sealing engagement with the outer surface of the diagnostic catheter, thereby preventing the loss of established ventilating parameters in the ventilation circuit; c) coupling fixation means to said tubular elbow for selectively securing the longitudinal position of the diagnostic catheter, by performing the steps of: coupling a catheter guide tube, having proximal and distal ends and a moveable medial slide plate therein which moves transversing the longitudinal axis of said catheter guide tube, to said access vent by said distal end of said catheter guide tube, said catheter guide tube being capable of receiving the diagnostic catheter; d) advancing the distal end of the diagnostic catheter through the said access vent into the respiratory tract of the patient; e) longitudinally securing the position of the diagnostic catheter with said fixation means when the diagnostic catheter has been installed, by performing the steps of: moving said slide plate between a first and a second position, said slide plate in said first position permitting free longitudinal movement of the diagnostic catheter disposed with said access vent, and said slide plate in said second position frictionally engaging and restraining the longitudinal movement of the diagnostic catheter.