Endotracheal intubation device

Details Endotracheal intubation device Endotracheal intubation device

1999-08-04

2001-02-20

Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Respiratory method or device

Respiratory gas supply means enters mouth or tracheotomy...

C128S207150, C128S200260

Reexamination Certificate

active

06189533

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to medical instruments generally and more particularly to an endotracheal intubation device having a light source for illumination during intubation and a means for attaching the device to a suction source.
2. Description of Related Art
Endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure that is used to establish a secure direct path for air under emergency resuscitation conditions or during induction of general anesthesia.
A clear airway is often critical for resuscitation efforts. An endotracheal tube may be used by medical personnel to establish an airway during resuscitation. This is necessary because the airway can become obstructed, either by a foreign body or by fluid, blood, or tissues such as the patient's tongue. Additionally, a patient in a major arrest state is unable to move air and as a result death rapidly ensues in the absence of introduced oxygen through the airway.
During intubation, an endotracheal tube must be passed through the vocal cords. Often, lighting is inadequate and foreign bodies, fluids, blood, loose dentures, or a flaccid tongue may compromise visualization of the vocal cords.
Often during an intubation procedure, a practitioner holds a lighted endotracheal blade in one hand, to elevate the palate and improve visualization, and a suction tube in the other hand, to remove loose debris that may be blocking visualization. However, in order to introduce the endotracheal tube, the suction must be put aside, thereby compromising visualization.
The present invention is designed to overcome the aforementioned visualization difficulties during intubation. The present invention is an endotracheal intubation device containing a light source and having simultaneous suctioning ability, enabling a practitioner to apply suction to a patient's airway while at the same time visualizing the airway for insertion of the endotracheal tube. The light source is designed to shine proximal of the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The invention includes an endotracheal tube with a light source that is either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature. One variation includes a suction trocar inside the endotracheal tube in which the trocar is encased in a light-emitting sleeve. The light source for the sleeve may be either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature and the trocar may be made of a malleable material. One example of such a malleable material is aluminum. Another embodiment includes an endotracheal tube with a light source built in. The light source may be fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature and may shine either axially or radially from the proximal end toward the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The lighted endotracheal tube may include a connection to a suction source and a malleable wire for adjustment of the shape of the tube under emergency conditions such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an endotracheal intubation device that will allow rapid intubation of a patient by allowing an intubator to visualize the patient's airway while at the same time suctioning out debris that could compromise visualization.
Generally, the inventive endotracheal intubation device contains both a suction source and a light source. The light source is placed so that it shines proximal to the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The light source may be either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature. It may be disposed to shine either axially or radially from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube towards its distal end.
The endotracheal intubation device may include a suction trocar encased in a lighted sleeve within an endotracheal tube, enabling an intubator to simultaneously visualize a patient's airway and suction out debris through the suction trocar. The light source for the lighted sleeve may be either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature.
The endotracheal intubation device typically contains a suction trocar made out of a malleable material and encased in a lighted sleeve within an endotracheal tube, enabling an intubator to simultaneously visualize a patient's airway and suction out debris through the suction trocar. By bending the malleable trocar, an intubator may change the shape of the endotracheal tube. An example of a malleable material that may be used for construction of the trocar is aluminum.
The endotracheal intubation device may have the light source built into the endotracheal tube and disposed to shine light proximal to the distal end of an endotracheal tube. The light source of this invention may be either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature and the light may be disposed to shine either axially or radially from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube towards its distal end. The invention may further include means for connection of the endotracheal tube to a suction source.
Finally, the inventive endotracheal intubation device preferably includes a ring of light-emitting material at the proximal end of an endotracheal tube as a light source. The light source may be either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature. The invention may further include connection of the endotracheal tube to a suction source and may also further include a malleable wire within the endotracheal tube for adjusting the shape of the tube.


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patent: 5287848 (1994-02-01), Cubb et al.
patent: 5329940 (1994-07-01), Adair
patent: 5607386 (1997-03-01), Flam
patent: 5819727 (1998-10-01), Linder
patent: 5941816 (1999-08-01), Barthel et al.

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