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Abstract

A hollow flexible catheter designed for high pressure jet ventilation of the upper or lower larynx or trachea. The flexible catheter has a distal end and a proximal end, and houses a hollow flexible stylette which is slidably disposed in the catheter. There are a plurality of retractable flexible flanges integrally formed at the distal end of the catheter which bias outwardly to form a bulged or Malecot-type tip having gaps or spaces between the flanges when they are in their natural position. The stylette, which is slidably disposed in the catheter, can be extended towards the distal end of the catheter and used to retract the outwardly biased flanges, thereby reducing the outer diameter of the distal end of the catheter to aid in retraction or insertion of the catheter into the ventilating environment. The proximate end of the end of the catheter has means for connecting to a high pressure ventilation gas source, and the catheter can be used with a guide wire to further aid in the positioning of the catheter.

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First Claim