Medical device positioning system and method

Abstract

A tracheal tube positioning apparatus is located relative to a patient's trachea by engaging the patient's Adam's apple. Indicia on relatively movable sections of the positioning apparatus provides an indication of the distance between the patient's mouth and the patient's larynx. A flexible guide rod is moved through a distance corresponding to the distance between the patient's mouth and larynx, as determined by the positioning apparatus. A magnet is utilized to attract a leading end portion of the guide rod. A plurality of emitters may be disposed in an array around the patient's Adam's apple. Outputs from the emitters are detected by a detector connected with the guide rod and by a detector connected with the tracheal tube. Alternatively, a plurality of detectors may be disposed in an array around the patient's Adam's apple to detect the output from an emitter connected with the guide rod and by an emitter connected with the tracheal tube. Expandable elements may be connected with the guide rod and / or tracheal tube to steer movement along an insertion path.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 728,553, filed on Dec. 2, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for use in tracheal intubination or other medical procedures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Tracheal intubination has previously been utilized to provide an unobstructed air passage to a patient's lungs. Tracheal intubination is frequently done under emergency circumstances which are not optimal. It has previously been recognized that is necessary to have a tracheal tube bend around the patient's epiglottis and move from the patient's pharynx into the larynx at the upper end of the patient's trachea rather than into the patient's esophagus. However, it is difficult for a person inserting the tracheal tube to know where the leading end portion of the tracheal tube is loca...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] It is believed that transmission of an image of body tissue adjacent to the leading end portion of the tracheal tube may advantageously be performed when the tracheal tube is utilized without benefit of the positioning apparatus. However, the transmission of an image of body tissue adjacent to the leading end portion of the tracheal tube may be performed when the positioning apparatus is used in association with the tracheal tube. Positioning of the guide rod relative to the patient's trachea may also be facilitated by the transmitting of images of body tissue adjacent to a leading end portion of the guide rod.

Problems solved by technology

Tracheal intubination is frequently done under emergency circumstances which are not optimal.

However, it is difficult for a person inserting the tracheal tube to know where the leading end portion of the tracheal tube is located relative to the patient's larynx.

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