Kimberly-Clark Launches MICROCUFF Endotracheal Tube

ROSWELL, Ga. -- Kimberly-Clark announces today the launch of the KIMBERLY-CLARK* MICROCUFF* Endotracheal Tube, an airway management device designed to reduce the leakage of potentially infectious secretions into the lungs. The excellent sealing capability of the MICROCUFF* Endotracheal Tube is created by its unique cuff made with an advanced micro-thin polyurethane material.

The leakage of secretions past the cuff, or micro-aspiration, is considered a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). VAP is a major clinical concern in hospitals and is associated with high incidence rates, mortality rates and increased costs, including:

Approximately 8-28 percent of critical care patients on mechannical ventilators develop VAP

Hospital-associated pneumonia patients have a mortality rate oof 20-33 percent

VAP increases patient time in the ICU by 4-6 days and adds ann average cost of $20,000-40,000 per incident

In the fight against healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), were focused on identifying clinical areas that, if addressed, can have a significant impact on reducing infections and improving patient outcomes, said John Amat, vice president of global sales and marketing for Kimberly-Clark Health Care. VAP accounts for up to 60 percent of all HAI deaths and reducing the risk of VAP begins by protecting the lungs from infectious secretions.

While conventional PVC cuffs create folds and channels when inflated which allow fluid to leak past the cuff, the cuff on the MICROCUFF* Endotracheal Tube is designed to minimize those channel openings and creates an effective tracheal seal. The cuff length and shape of MICROCUFF* Endotracheal Tubes are also designed for better contact with tracheal contours to increase protection against fluid leakage. 

Long-term ET tube placement can sometimes expose patients to additional risks of trauma to airway tissues. The MICROCUFF* Endotracheal tube's cuff is designed to seal the airway at low pressures, reducing the risk of tracheal trauma in intubated patients. Additional features of the tube include:

Effective seal at a low cuff pressure to reduce the risk of muucosal damage

Microthin polyurethane cuff material allows for greater visuallization of vocal cords when cuff is deflated to ensure proper placement of the tube

Puncture strength and burst pressure of the MICROCUFF* tube's cuff are almost double that of conventional PVC cuffs

Because there are multiple risk factors leading to VAP, Kimberly-Clark is committed to providing clinicians with a range of innovative, effective clinical solutions and best practice education to address VAP.  Kimberly-Clarks product bundle includes its market leading BALLARD* TRACH CARE* Closed Suction Systems for suctioning secretions from the airway without disconnecting the ventilator circuit, BAL-CATH* System to facilitate early and accurate diagnosis of VAP, and a variety of oral care products.

Source: Kimberly-Clark