[A new type of artificial airway sealer used between artificial airway and ventilator pipeline]

The need for mechanical ventilation due to severe hypoxemia and acute respiratory distress syndrome has increased dramatically in the global pandemic of severe respiratory infectious diseases. In clinical scenarios, it is sometimes necessary to briefly disconnect the ventilator pipeline from the artificial airway. Still, this operation can lead to a sharp drop in airway pressure, which is contrary to the protective lung ventilation strategy and increases the risk of environmental exposure to bioaerosol, posing a serious threat to patients and medical workers. At present, there is yet to be a practical solution. A new artificial airway device was designed by the medical staff from the department of critical care medicine of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, based on many years of research experience in respiratory support therapy, and recently obtained the National Utility Model Patent of China (ZL 2019 2 0379605.4). The device comprises two connecting pipes, the sealing device body, and the globe valve represented by the iridescent optical ring. It has a simple structure, convenient operation, and low production cost. The device is installed between the artificial airway and the ventilator pipeline and realizes the instantaneous sealing of the artificial airway by adjusting the shut-off valve. Using this device to treat mechanically ventilated patients can minimize the ventilator-induced lung injury caused by the repeated disconnection of pipelines, avoid iatrogenic transmission of bioaerosols, and realize dual protection for patients and medical workers. It has extensive clinical application prospects and high health and economic value.