Inventors:
Rene M. Gonzalez - Pittsburgh PA
Assignee:
University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Pittsburgh PA
International Classification:
A61M 1610, A61M 1500, A61M 1100, A62B 906
Abstract:
An apparatus for topical targeted delivery of a substance to generally the ntire or selected portions of the internal body tissues and walls of a tracheal-intubated patient's upper airway is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tube member for ventilating or oxygenating a patient's lungs that has an annular inner surface, an annular outer surface having a plurality of opening extending over a major portion of the axial extent of the annular outer surface, and at least one first conduit member that is positioned generally at least in part between the annular inner surface and the annular outer surface. The first conduit member extends over the major portion of the axial extent of the annular outer surface of the tube member. The first conduit member has a plurality of perforations in alignment with the openings of the annular outer surface for effecting delivery of the substance to the surrounding internal body tissues and walls of the patient's upper airway. A method for delivering the substance to generally the entire or selected portions of the mucosal lining and anatomical structures of the patient's upper airway employing this apparatus is disclosed.