Ultrathin-wall, two-stage, twin endotracheal tube: A tracheal tube with minimal resistance and minimal dead space for use in newborn and infant patients*

Abstract

The novel tracheal tube design has a resistance to gas flow one half to one third that of a standard tracheal tube and a dead-space volume three to seven times lower, including tubing and connector dead space. In addition, it offers a means for potential accurate, continuous online monitoring of expiratory oxygen and Co(2) concentration and gas flow, in both the inspiratory and the expiratory lines, without contributing to dead-space ventilation or gas flow resistance.