Effect of catheter design on tracheal pressures during tracheal gas insufflation.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the distribution of pressures within a model trachea, produced by five different tracheal gas insufflation devices. The aim was to suggest a suitable design of a tracheal gas insufflation device for clinical use.


METHODS
Each device was tested using insufflation flow rates of 5 and 10 L min(-1). For each flow rate, the pressure within the tracheal model was measured at 33 fixed points.


RESULTS
The Boussignac tracheal tube produced the most even pressure distribution, while a reverse-flow catheter produced pressure changes of the smallest magnitude.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that catheters producing the lowest pressure changes are likely to be safer for clinical use.
Dyer
I R
IR
Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK.
Esmail
M
M
Findlay
G
G
Mecklenburgh
J S
JS
Dingley
J
J
D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007327:Insufflation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008954:Models, Biological; D011312:Pressure; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012449:Safety; D014132:Trachea / Q000502:physiology*