Here’s a new device from Cook Incorporated, that might come handy when a patient is already intubated but an endotracheal tube exchange is needed, a common scenario after thoracic lung surgery with double lumen tube, and in difficult to intubate patients:
… Cook Airway Exchange Catheter with Soft Tip for use in uncomplicated, atraumatic endotracheal tube exchange.
The Cook Airway Exchange Catheter with Soft Tip offers an extra firm catheter which facilitates the exchange of double lumen tubes. The distal seven centimeters of this newest Cook Airway Exchange Catheter are flexible to optimize oxygenation and ventilation, while minimizing the risk of tracheal trauma.
Centimeter marks on Cook Airway Exchange Catheters facilitate accurate placement of the catheter with shortened endotracheal tubes. The blunt tip of this catheter is atraumatic to internal structures and the removable Rapi-Fit Adapter allows for a ventilatory device if necessary during the exchange procedure. In addition, the through-lumen design of the Cook Airway Exchange Catheters with distal sideports helps to ensure adequate air flow.