AUTOMATIC ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE CUFF INFLATOR AND CONTINUOUS PRESSURE MONITOR/CONTROLLER

Endotracheal tube cuff pressure over 30 cm of water has been found to occur in about 50% of cases where cuff inflation was performed without monitoring, using pilot balloon palpation, minimal leak, or minimal occlusive volume techniques1. The incidence of post operative respiratory complications such as cough, sore throat, hoarseness, blood-streaked expectoration, and eventracheal stenosis is increased with increase of cuff pressure over 30 cm of water2. Mandatorycontinuous monitoring and control of the endotracheal tube cuff pressure have been recommendedto minimize such complication. Anesthesiologists continue to ignore the above important recommendation in many institutions because they do not have easy access to devices that monitor and control cuff pressure, and because continuous intracuff pressure control and measurement using a device are not yet mandate or standard of care for anesthesia practice. Intermittent checking of the cuff pressure during anesthesia is not good enough and has a very poor compliance. Ideally, the cuff pressure should be monitored and controlled at the required level continuously and automatically without concern from the anesthesiologist. This situation prompted us to design and develop cuff inflator and cuff pressure monitor/regulator that is simple and practical.