The recommended reinforced Tulip may safely be used in both the lateral and prone position by an Anaesthetist experienced in the use of a Tulip. It is important that the user is aware of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of cuff pressure.
If the situation occurs whereby the trachea cannot be intubated, it is recommended that the Patient be kept optimally oxygenated and maintained at an adequate level of anaesthesia to suppress laryngeal reflexes that may exacerbate the situation by inducing laryngeal spasm.
The Tulip’s role in emergency and resuscitation medicine is based upon its ability to be introduced easily, effectively and quickly by a wide range of healthcare staff. The Tulip’s ability to fit all adults with one size enables fewer to be carried by medical staff who quickly become familiar with its common, wide-ranging use.
The Tulip is contraindicated in non-fasted Patients and those at risk of aspiration, such as the grossly obese, those with hiatus hernia, previous opiate analgesia, those with a recent traumatic injury, massive or multiple injury, those of greater than 14 weeks gestation, those with an autonomic neuropathy and those with an acute abdomen, reduced gastric emptying or dilation of the stomach.
The Tulip is a single use, disposable item, and must never be autoclaved for re-use. The Tulip is a contaminated item after use and must be disposed of in the recommended fashion.
The Tulip is designed to be easily introducible without the need to perform any form of visualization. The single adult size is designed to fit a majority of adults who lie within the considered normal range by virtue of an anatomical inflatable cuff which expands to form an oropharyngeal seal between the soft palate, the epiglottis and oropharyngeal walls.