Microcuff* endotracheal tubes

Airway management device designed to provide an effective tracheal seal and reduce micro-aspiration of secretions into the lungs.

Kimberly-Clark is pleased to announce 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 mechanical ventilators develop VAP.
  • Hospital-associated pneumonia patients have a mortality rate of 20-33 percent.
  • VAP increases patient time in the ICU by 4–6 days and adds an average cost of $20,000–40,000 per incident.

“In the fight against Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs), we’re 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 Sales and Marketing, 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.”

Effective tracheal seal at low cuff pressure

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 minimizes 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 seals 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 mucosal damage.

Microthin polyurethane cuff material allows for greater visualisation 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.

VAP solution bundle

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-Clark’s product bundle includes its market leading Kimberly-Clark* 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.

At Kimberly-Clark, our mission is to deliver clinical solutions that you can depend on to meet the demands of your fast paced world. Whether your needs involve preventing healthcare-associated infections, surgical and Digestive Health with Kimberly-Clark you’ll always have one less worry.

More information

These products are available from a wide range of distributors.

For more information regarding our products call our Customer Care line 1800 101 021, or email hccusto@kcc.com.

The products listed in this directory have been introduced specifically for healthcare providers in Australia and New Zealand. Additional information is available on the United States based Kimberly-Clark Health Care website.

Kimberly-Clark makes no representation that its products described in this website will provide complete protection from exposure to contaminants, fluids, or micro organisms or will eliminate the risk of contracting infectious diseases.