Endotracheal tube and method of use

Abstract

This disclosure provides an endotracheal tube with a tip suitable for traversing the laryngeal inlet and with a guiding channel having a proximal opening adjacent a proximal end portion and a distal opening adjacent to a tip, wherein the guiding channel is adjacent a sidewall of the main lumen of the tube, which allows more accurate wire-guided intubation of a patient, a method and a kit relating to the same.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application PCT / AU2014 / 000784, filed Aug. 5, 2014, designating the United States of America and published in English as International Patent Publication WO 2015 / 039164 A1 on Mar. 26, 2015, which claims the benefit under Article 8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty to Australian Patent Application Serial No. 2014901331, filed Apr. 11, 2014, and to Australian Patent Application Serial No. 2013903646, filed Sep. 23, 2013.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This disclosure relates to equipment for use in, and methods of, performing anterograde or retrograde wire-guided endotracheal intubation.BACKGROUND[0003]An endotracheal tube (ETT) is normally passed into the trachea of a patient to maintain a patent airway and allow the delivery of oxygen / air / anesthetic gases and vapors to the patient. It may also be used to separate the lungs from the aero-digestive tract and protect ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a new system for wire-guided endotracheal intubation that uses a single piece of equipment and a single step. This system has several technical benefits. First, it allows for the delivery of oxygen and monitoring of ETCO2 to indicate the progress and correct placement of the tube. Second, it simplifies the procedure and reduces the time required for the intubation. Third, it avoids certain undesirable effects of current methods, such as the need for excessive pressure or multiple pieces of equipment. Finally, a marker for completion of a step before proceeding to the next step provides a way to correct a failed step immediately and save time.

Problems solved by technology

While the above prior proposals may have merit, the equipment used may be complex or expensive to manufacture and / or the steps involved in carrying out the medical procedure may be time consuming or difficult.

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