Endotracheal Tube Stylet and Methods of Using the Same

Abstract

Endotracheal tube stylets and methods of using the same are provided. Aspects of the stylets include an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end; an expandable member located at the distal end; and a lumen extending from the expandable member to a fluid port positioned at least near the proximal end. The stylets find use in a variety of different applications.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of medical equipment, more specifically, to a tracheal intubation guide wire and a method for using the same. Background technique [0002] Mechanical ventilation is one of the most commonly used life-saving methods in modern medicine. Every year, millions of people worldwide receive mechanical ventilation for respiratory support. All major surgeries rely on mechanical ventilation, either during or shortly after surgery. Around the world, millions of critically ill patients cared for in intensive care units (ICUs) with various medical or surgical ailments (for example, acute respiratory failure caused by various underlying factors or trauma) also rely on mechanical ventilation. Of the 6,469,674 hospitalizations in the six US states surveyed, 180,326 (2.8%) received invasive mechanical ventilation. Estimated projected to the national level for the entire United States, there were 790,257 hospitalizations involving ...

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Problems solved by technology

However, this reliance on clinical assessment alone, like in the operating room, can delay detection of a misplaced ETT for days or hours in up to 15.5% of patients (Schwartz et al., Crit. Care, Med. (1994) 22:1127-1131) and cause contralateral lung hyperinflation (Debnath et al., Indian J.Crit.Care Med.Peer-Rev.Off.Publ.Indian Soc.Crit.Care Med.(2011)15:52-54)

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