| abstract |
An endotracheal tube assembly ( 10 ) is disclosed which suctions away bacteria multiplying mucus before such mucus can accumulate on the inside walls of the endotracheal tube ( 14 ). In the preferred embodiment, one or more suctioning tubes ( 20, 21 ) are formed into the walls of an endotracheal tube so that they extend along length of the endotracheal tube. A plurality of mucus slurping holes ( 34 ) are then formed at or near the distal end of the endotracheal tube and connected to the suctioning tubes. In operation, suctioning through the mucus slurping holes is preferably performed intermittently during patient expiration. By timing this intermittent suctioning with patient expiration, the suctioning flow will be in the same direction as patient breathing. While the mucus slurper of the present invention has been found to be effective at keeping the inner walls of the endotracheal tube free of mucus deposits, it can nonetheless be combined with other cleaning and disinfectant techniques for greater assurance of cleanliness. |