701 results about "Tracheal intubation" patented technology

By interposing an adapter between the endotracheal or tracheal tube inserted to a patient and the ventilation and suction systems that are connected to the endotracheal tube, a catheter could be inserted via an input port built into the adapter so as to enable a medical personnel to provide localized treatments in the lungs of a patient without having to disconnect either one of the systems connected to the endotracheal tube. The adapter is configured to have a securing mechanism that allows the medical personnel to secure the medication catheter in place. A one way valve fitted to the apertured arm that forms the input port of the adapter prevents any back flow of fluid from the input port. The catheter is manufactured with calibration markings, most likely equally spaced, and a radiopaque line along its length to enhance the maneuvering and the positioning thereof in the patient so that the distal tip of the catheter could be accurately positioned to the desired location of the patient's tracheal / bronchial tree. As a result, the localized treatment such as the injection of a medicament is accurately provided to the appropriate location where the need is the greatest.

A system and method for endotracheal intubation of airways are disclosed. A malleable stylet having a distal end and a proximal end, a charged coupled device (CCD) at the distal end and a transmitter, at or near the proximal end or connected to the proximal end of the stylet with connectors, transmits video to a visualization device comprising a receiver means, a display means, and a display support adapted to be worn on an operator in a position so that the operator can view the display with one eye while simultaneously viewing the airway directly. The display support is typically worn on the head of a physician. A second display can be worn by a student or observer. In some instances, the transmitter means and receiver means are wireless.

An improved endotracheal tube having a suction sleeve circumferentially thereabout with a plurality of suction holes or ports therein. The suction sleeve is spaced a distance above an inflatable balloon or cuff so that the vocal cords of a patient may rest between the sleeve and the cuff, and the suction sleeve, sealed at its top and bottom to the endotracheal tube, has a plurality of circumferentially and longitudinally-spaced suction holes therethrough for suctioning the pools of secretion that form in the hypopharynx and lower oropharynx of an intubated patient. Tubing is also provided for connecting a suction chamber between the suction sleeve and the main lumen of the endotracheal tube to a well-known low intermittent suction (“LIS”) device.

An endotracheal tube cleaning apparatus 10 which can be periodically inserted into the inside of an endotracheal tube 30 to shave away mucus deposits. In a preferred embodiment, this cleaning apparatus 10 comprises a flexible central tube 12 with an inflatable balloon 40 at its distal end. Affixed to the inflatable balloon are one or more shaving rings 70, each having a squared leading edge 72 to shave away mucus accumulations 60. In operation, the uninflated cleaning apparatus 10 of the present invention is inserted into the endotracheal tube until its distal end is properly aligned with or slightly beyond the distal end of the endotracheal tube. After proper alignment, the balloon 40 is inflated by a suitable inflation device, such as a syringe 14, until the balloon's shaving rings are pressed against the inside surface of the endotracheal tube. The cleaning apparatus is then pulled out of the endotracheal tube and, in the process, the balloon's shaving rings shave off the mucus deposits from the inside of the endotracheal tube.

The present invention is directed to a novel device and method for providing a disposable endotracheal intubation device for use with an auxiliary passageway serving as a guide for the placement of an orogastic or other enterally directed device in a patient. The present invention pertains to a combination intubation device comprising an endotracheal tube and a catheter proximate the endotracheal tube to guide the path of an enteral tube. In a preferred embodiment, the endotracheal tube is capable of defining an arcuate path in a first geometric plane between its proximal end and its distal end to facilitate introduction of the tube into the trachea of a patient. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter employs a fenestration to facilitate removal of the intubation device from the patient without removal of any enteral device previously directed therethrough into the patient.

Certain embodiments of the presently described technology provide methods and systems for positioning of an endotracheal tube. Certain embodiments provide an endotracheal tube system including an endotracheal tube and a removable positioning member. The endotracheal tube is sized and adapted for providing airway maintenance during an endotracheal procedure. The removable positioning member is sized and adapted to be insertable into and removable from the endotracheal tube. The removable positioning member includes a positioning element located proximal to the distal end of the removable positioning member. The positioning element provides an indication of position when at least a portion of the endotracheal tube is inside of a patient.

A method for endotracheal intubation allows resuscitation of the patient to continue during intubation. A curved guide having a mask and a ventilation port is inserted into the patient's mouth and upper airway. The patient is initially resuscitated by supplying a flow of air / oxygen through the mask and simultaneously applying cardiac chest compressions. An endotracheal tube is inserted over the distal end of a fiber optic probe. Resuscitation continues without interruption while the fiber optic probe and endotracheal tube are advanced along the guide into the patient's airway, thereby allowing the physician to carefully guide the fiber optic probe and endotracheal tube to a position past the larynx while resuscitation continues.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use during endotracheal intubation of a subject, including an output unit, and at least one sensor configured to sense motion of the subject, and generate a signal responsively thereto. A control unit is configured to detect an aspect of the intubation by analyzing a component of the signal having a frequency of less than 20 Hz, and drive the output unit to generate an output indicative of the aspect of the intubation. Other applications are also described.

Determining the placement of an endotracheal tube in a patient. The invention evaluates discontinuities in the medium surrounding the endotracheal tube, such as the airway, as a function of distance past an end of the endotracheal tube. Using a loudspeaker to generate sound waves, the sound waves propagate through a coiled wavetube, a connecting adapter, and an endotracheal tube, into the area of interest. With a processing system, reflected sound waves which return from the cavity back to a microphone within the wavetube are analyzed and an area-distance curve of the area in interest is constructed.

A device for ventilation, comprisinga ventilator for providing a stream of gas for ventilation at an outlet,a hose for inspiration air one end of which is connected to the outlet,a double-lumen endotracheal tube one lumen of which, at its end distal to the patient, is connected to the other end of the hose for inspiration air,flow meters for measuring the streams of gas in the two lumina of the endotracheal tube,pressometers for measuring the pressures at the ends distal to the patient of the two lumina,an evaluation means for determining the flow resistance in a lumen flowed through by gas because of the stream of gas measured therein and the pressures measured, anda means for outputting an information about the flow resistance of the lumina.

A system for ultrasonically placing and monitoring an endotracheal tube within a patient. The system includes an endotracheal tube having a proximal and a distal end and a ventilation lumen disposed there through. A vibration mechanism is coupled to the endotracheal tube. One ultrasonic transducer is located outside the patient's body. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer for digitalizing the endotracheal tube within the body.

An endotracheal tube and suction catheter system having an inflatable cuff with a collection pocket formed in the cuff for collecting pooled secretions and a railing system for controllably guiding a suction catheter along the tube and into the pocket for aspirating pooled secretions. The cuff has an elongated parallelogram-like shape to counter the rocking phenomenon caused by a patient coughing or turning to keep the cuff in contact with the trachea wall so secretions do not leak past the cuff balloon. The railing system allows the suction catheter to be replaced without having to remove the endotracheal tube from the patient.

A multi lumen endotracheal tube having a balloon cuff to seal a patient's trachea during intubation. The ET tube having a main lumen for the exchange of respiratory and medicinal gases consequent to a medical procedure, a secondary lumen for inflation of the balloon cuff, and a tertiary lumen for transmission of sound waves via air medium contained therein, permitting ausculatory monitoring of a patient's breath sounds during intubation and subsequent monitoring of cardiac and respiratory activity after sealing of the ET tube. The ET tube is particularly a adapted for utilization by an anesthetist by including temperature sensor to permit remote monitoring of body core temperature and body cavity ausculation of cardiac and respiratory activity.

The present invention relates to a tracheal intubation device and method for placing an endotracheal tube within a patient's trachea. More particularly, the endotracheal tube includes primary and secondary cuffs, in the form of inflatable balloons. A stillette is positioned within the endotracheal tube. The tracheal intubation device includes a guiding mechanism for guiding the stillette and the endotracheal tube within a patent's body. The guiding mechanism is positioned external to a patient and sized and shaped so as to transmit a signal and to receive a signal indicating the location of the stillette in a patient's body. After the endotracheal tube is positioned in the oropharynx, inflating the secondary cuff urges the endotracheal tube toward the trachea of a patient.

This invention can be used in three different ways for patients who are lying down in bed or on the operating table. First it facilitates the endotracheal intubation, secondly it facilitates the spontaneous breathing of obese patients and thirdly it assists the spontaneous inspiration and expiration in a non-invasive way. This invention device is positioned under the patient before he is asleep without disturbing him. It allows a gradual elevation of the lower and or upper thorax, a gradual elevation of the head giving a flexion of the neck and a gradual hyperextension of the head. After intubation the position is returned to normal without need for removing the invention device. This invention elevates the spinal column and therefore the thorax is no more compressed and the ribs can move free. Inspiration requires less force and the patient can be breathing easier even when lying down. In this invention the spinal column elevation can also be inflated in a synchronized way with the respiration of the patient. During inspiration the spinal column is elevated, facilitating the inspiration. During expiration the elevation is lowered, facilitating the expiration. The work of breathing is reduced for the patient resulting in larger minute volume ventilation or less oxygen consumption.

An improved endotracheal tube providing a built in suction channel for the removal of excessive secretions from the lumen of said tube and the tracheobronchial system is disclosed. Control valves for regulating the suction feature are also disclosed.

A tube holder assembly is provided for securing a medical tube such as an endotracheal tube to a patient. In one illustrative embodiment, the holder assembly comprises a support strap for placement around the patient's head or neck region, a bracket for holding the endotracheal tube in position relative to the patient's mouth, and a face anchoring portion for securing the support strap to the patient's face region. The support strap includes a front surface and an opposed, back surface. The bracket may be attached to the front surface of the support strap. The bracket may include an upper bar and an arm extending from the upper bar. The face anchoring device may comprise a first surface configured to adhere to the patient's face region, and a second, opposed surface having a strap-engaging portion configured to mechanically engage the back surface of the support strap. The support strap may be configured to be repeatedly releasable and adjustable to the face anchoring device.

An inexpensive, endo-tracheal intubation device suitable for single patient use by emergency health care workers, which comprises a stylet having a tube which is scored in such a way that it can be bent using a wire encased in the tube. The wire is attached to both the stylet's end distal from a stylet-holder and to the short arm of a bell crank pivotally mounted in the holder. Grasping the stylet holder in one hand, the operator can move the bell crank's trigger arm with his finger(s), thereby causing the stylet to bend in a controlled manner. In use, a conventional airway tube is mounted on the stylet holder so as to encase the portion of the stylet which protrudes outwardly therefrom. A light on the stylet's tip allows visualization of the patient's vocal cords. After the user gently pushes the airway tube / stylet combination between them, the stylet is then removed for ventilation.

There is provided a neck patch to be adhered on a tracheostoma, which is very light and has a good respiratory activity and an excellent sealing behavior when adhered on top of a tracheostoma in the neck of a patient. The neck patch is made of a thin, planar, flexible foil having a thickness of between 5 and 30 μm, which is adhesive on its proximal side only and has a centrically arranged hole on its distal side, and around which a hard, round plastic connector disk having a central recess is arranged, the neck patch further comprising a supporting frame that surrounds the outer edge of the film and is approximately five to ten times thicker than the film so that the neck patch can be positioned without being rolled together.

An improved endotracheal tube system and method of use is provided. The improved endotracheal tube system includes a standard endotracheal tube, an adapter with a first tube that may be positioned within an endotracheal tube and a second tube adapted for attachment to a bag-valve mask. The adapter has a CO2 detector within it. The improved endotracheal tube system may also have a stylet positioned within the endotracheal tube and the adapter. The stylet may have a handle attached to it for easy removal from the adapter.

An endotracheal electrode and optical positioning device usable in conjunction with an endotracheal tube having a short elongated triangular shaped body with a superior surface that projects towards the junction of the vocal cords, a posterior surface that projects towards the endotracheal tube or the posterior-interior surface of the cricoid cartilage, and generally straight right and left lateral surfaces that project anterior lateral on either side toward the vocal cords. The lateral surfaces are of appropriate dimensions for attachment of laryngeal surface electrodes. The body has a center opening or channel that wraps around, slides over, or otherwise attaches to an endotracheal tube or to a ventilatory apparatus. A docking recess on the proximal aspect of the superior surface is used for receiving a fiberoptic laryngoscope or a positioning rod. A tube is attachable to the docking recess and extends outward in conjunction with the endotracheal tube for insertion of the fiberoptic laryngoscope.

An intra-tracheal sputum aspiration apparatus arranged so that air feeding to and air evacuation from trachea (13) by means of artificial respirator (12) are carried out through tracheal cannula (14) and so that in the event of sputum clogging, tube pump (16A) is operated to thereby attain discharge of sputum through suction tube (15) to the outside of the body by means of a negative pressure produced thereby. By virtue of the employment of the tube pump (16A) as a sputum aspirator (16), the intra-airway pressure by the artificial respirator (12) would have substantially no fluction even when a positive pressure is applied to the lungs. Consequently, sputum disposal can be accomplished while maintaining artificial artificial respiration, so that there can be prevented any secondary infection by infectious agents discharged from sputum collection bottle (17) into the air.

An intra-tracheal sputum aspirating apparatus arranged so that air feeding to and air evacuation from trachea (13) by means of artificial respirator (21) are carried out through tracheal cannula (14) and so that in the event of sputum clogging, tube pump (16A) is operated to thereby attain discharge of sputum through suction tube (15) to the outside of the body by means of a negative pressure produced thereby. By virtue of the employment of the tube pump (16A) as sputum aspirator (16), the intra-airway pressure by the artificial respirator (12) would have substantially no fluctuation even when a positive pressure is applied to the lungs. Consequently, sputum disposal can be accomplished while maintaining artificial respiration, so that there can be prevented any secondary infection by infectious agents discharged from sputum collection bottle (17) into the air.

A tracheal cannula of the invention includes a breathing path for supplying and discharging air formed between a basal end for connection with a breathing tube extending from an external artificial respirator and a distal end for insertion into a patient's trachea, and a trachea side opening formed at the distal end of the breathing path. Besides and along the breathing path, a suction path is provided for sucking phlegm accumulated in the patient's trachea. A phlegm suction opening is formed in a region of a wall of the suction path on the side of the inner wall of the trachea between the distal end of the breathing path and a cuff, the phlegm suction opening facing the inner wall of the trachea.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a medical facial mask having intubation port to insert an endotracheal tube; air ventilation port to perform artificial ventilation during intubation procedure; and a display device to display image of a patient's airway, wherein the image is transmitted from an image acquisition device which is inserted in the patient's airway.

An endotracheal intubation assistance apparatus is adapted to assist in insertion of an endotracheal tube into the trachea of a patient, and includes a movable tubular stylet, a graspable controller, and a viewing device. The stylet has a leading section, a body section, a tail section, and two slits extending through the body section and the tail section. The tail section is divided by the slits into first and second driven sheets. The viewing device includes an elongate body and a viewing head. The elongate body and the viewing head are movable through the graspable controller, and are extendable outwardly from the leading section. When the first and second driven sheets move relative to each other, the leading section swings synchronously a distal end of the endotracheal tube and the viewing head.

Devices and methods for preventing tracheal aspiration as described where a cuff assembly having an inflatable member with an inflation tube fluidly coupled may be placed over a proximal end of an endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask and inserted into the patient trachea with the endotracheal tube or separately after the endotracheal tube has already been positioned. In either case, the inflatable member may be positioned distal (or inferior) to the vocal cords and proximal to the endotracheal balloon via a delivery instrument which automatically positions the balloon in proximity to the vocal cords.

An endotracheal tube introducer (“introducer”) that slides within an endotracheal tube. The introducer has a tubular wall that defines a lumen extending between a split proximal end and a distal end of the introducer. The tubular wall has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the endotracheal tube. The tubular wall is circumscribed by an invertible shroud. The invertible shroud flexes distal-ward (“forward”) proximal-ward (“rearward”). The proximal end of the introducer is introduced into a distal end of the endotracheal tube and the shroud is manually retroflexed rearward to cover the sharp margins of the end of the endotracheal tube prior to its insertion into a patient's airway. After the endotracheal tube has been properly positioned, the introducer is withdrawn, the motion of its withdrawal anteflexing the shroud forward for removal through the endotracheal tube.

An endotracheal tube has a light-emitting diode or other low temperature, built-in light source forward of the cuff.