Covidien Gets FDA OK For New Endotracheal Tube

NEW YORK (AP) — Drug and medical device maker Covidien PLC said Wednesday it received Food and Drug Administration clearance for its new endotracheal tube, a device that helps patients breathe.

The clearance covers the Mallinckrodt TaperGuard Evac endotracheal tube. The tubes are often used in intensive care and emergency room units.

This new tube is better than a prior version of Mallinckrodt at reducing fluid leakage into a person's trachea, the company said. It said that could potentially reduce the risk of complications after surgery that may be caused by aspiration of fluids into the lungs.

Shares of Ireland-based Covidien closed at $42.87 Tuesday.