Systems and methods for intubating a patient

Abstract

An intubation system including a endotracheal tube and an intubation device, the latter operable using one hand and having an elongated insertion member (i) configured to be inserted into a proximal end of the endotracheal tube and (ii) having an articulating portion configured to selectably articulate in one or more directions in response to the control inputs. Depending on the embodiment, when the elongated insertion member is fully inserted into the endotracheal tube, articulating the articulating portion (a) causes the endotracheal tube to articulate in like manner to help guide the distal end of the endotracheal tube into the trachea or (b) helps guide a protruding portion of the insertion member into the trachea and thereby serve as a guidewire along which the endotracheal tube may be advanced into the trachea.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTUBATING A PATIENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 778,003 filed March 26, 2025 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUND

[0002] Intubation is a medical procedure in which an endotracheal tube is inserted into the trachea of a patient to maintain an open / patent airway and provide mechanical ventilation. This procedure is often necessary when a patient is incapable of breathing on their own, such as when under certain forms of anesthesia or when mechanical ventilation is otherwise required.

[0003] Typical approaches to intubating a patient involve inserting the blade of a laryngoscope into the mouth of the patient, using it to push aside or otherwise displace the tongue, epiglottis, and other tissues that would otherwise block the provider’s view of the trachea, and then advancing the endotracheal tube through a channel in the side of the laryngoscope blade and into the patient’s trachea, where it is then anchored in place by inflating a cuff and taping the external portion of the endotracheal tube. The typical pathway from a patient’s mouth to the trachea is curved and this curvature varies based on the anatomy of the particular patient. As such, healthcare providers often use certain tools to impart a complementary curvature to the endotracheal tube to facilitate navigation.

[0004] For example, in one approach, a rigid, pre-shaped stylet may be inserted into the endotracheal tube to impart a complementary shape to the endotracheal tube and the resulting assembly is then inserted into the patent. Once placed correctly, the stylet is then withdrawn through a proximal end of the endotracheal tube, leaving the endotracheal tube in place and the airway unobstructed. In another approach, rather than using a rigid, pre-shaped stylet, the healthcare provider may instead shape a semi-flexible stylet into a desired shape and insert that into the endotracheal tube to similar effect. Both of these stylet-based approaches are hereinafter referred to as “Background Stylet” approaches for ease of reference. Background Stylet approaches suffer numerous disadvantages however. For example, choosing a rigid stylet orAttorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 shaping a semi-flexible stylet can involve a lot of guesswork before the appropriate shape is identified. This means the inappropriate stylet must be removed from the endotracheal tube and replaced with a more appropriate stylet (or reshaped and reinserted). Meanwhile the patient may be desaturating due to the associated delay, placing the patient in danger.

[0005] In yet another approach, a fiber optic scope or a flexible member called a “bougie” may be navigated to the trachea and serve as a guidewire along which the endotracheal tube can be advanced into place. Both of these guidewire-like approaches are hereinafter referred to as “Background Guidewire” approaches for ease of reference. Background Guidewire approaches also suffer from numerous disadvantages. In one aspect, fiber optic scopes are often expensive and thus not accessible in many settings. In another aspect, fiber optic scopes are often much longer than necessary to reach the trachea, making them unwieldy. In fact, a second healthcare provider is often required to hold the endotracheal tube out up and out of the way while the first provider performing the intubation navigates the fiber optic scope into place in the trachea. The second provider then advances the endotracheal tube down the fiber optic scope to the patient’s mouth, where the first provider then takes over and advances it to the patient’s trachea. In yet another aspect, guidewires often do not center themselves within a particular anatomical passage, but rather often butt up against a side of the anatomical passage due to the curvature of the required pathway. Accordingly, as an endotracheal tube is advanced along a guidewire, its distal end may contact and irritate proximate tissue - especially if the endotracheal tube gets caught on the vocal cords at the entrance to the trachea. This requires the healthcare provider to “finesse” the endoscope past these obstacles (e.g., retract it slightly, try to redirect it, and advance it again). The resulting irritation can be uncomfortable for the patient and even lead to laryngospasm, aspiration, damage to the vocal cords or laryngeal tissues, or other complications during the procedure.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for alternative approaches for intubating a patient.SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure is directed to intubation systems including an intubation device having an elongated insertion member configured to be inserted into an endotracheal tube and articulated inside of the patient’s body to help guide the distal end of the endotracheal tube into a patient’s trachea. Depending on the embodiment, when the elongated insertion member is fully inserted into the endotracheal tube, articulating an articulating portion of the insertion member (a)Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 causes the endotracheal tube to articulate in like manner to help guide the distal end of the endotracheal tube into the trachea or (b) helps guide a protruding portion of the insertion member into the trachea and thereby serve as a guidewire along which the endotracheal tube may be advanced into the trachea.

[0008] Various embodiments these intubation systems may include a endotracheal tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow interior extending therebetween and an intubation device having an elongated insertion member connected to and operable by a user interface. The user interface may include a handle and a control interface for receiving control inputs from a user of the intubation device, and the handle and the control interface may be positioned such that a user may simultaneously hold the handle and operate the control interface with one hand. The elongated insertion member may include (i) a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the user interface, (ii) an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the endotracheal tube such that the insertion member can be inserted into the hollow interior of the endotracheal tube through the proximal end of the endotracheal tube, and (iii) an articulating portion configured to selectably articulate in one or more directions in response to the control inputs.

[0009] In various embodiments, when the elongated insertion member is fully inserted into the endotracheal tube, at least a portion of the articulating portion may be positioned within the hollow interior of the endotracheal tube such that selectably articulating the articulating portion causes the endotracheal tube to articulate in like manner. The insertion member, in some embodiments, may have a length that is equal to, slightly shorter than, or slightly longer than the length of the endotracheal tube. The articulating portion, in an embodiment, may be situated at a distal end of the insertion member and, in some embodiments, may form about 10% to about 25% of the length of the insertion member. The insertion member, in some embodiments, may include one or more actuation members for articulating the articulating portion such as one or more angulation wires or one or more materials configured to selectably expand or contract in response to the application of electrical current. The control interface, in an embodiment, may be positioned at a proximal end of the user interface. In some embodiments, the control interface may further include an advancement component configured to selectably extend from a distal end of the handle to advance the endotracheal tube along the insertion member. The advancement component, in some embodiments, may include a manual or a spring-loaded slide for advancing the advancement component or the advancement component may be motorized.Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026

[0010] In various other embodiments, a protruding portion of the insertion member may comprise an entirety of the articulating portion such that selectably articulating the articulating portion via the user interface does not manipulate the shape of the endotracheal tube and the articulating portion defines a guidewire along which the endotracheal tube may be advanced. The protruding portion, in some embodiments, may be equal to or less than the length of the patient’s trachea. The length of the protruding portion, in an embodiment, may not exceed about 130 mm and, in an embodiment, may be at least about 20 mm long. The insertion member, in some embodiments, may include one or more actuation members for articulating the articulating portion such as one or more angulation wires or one or more materials configured to selectably expand or contract in response to the application of electrical current. The control interface, in an embodiment, may be positioned at a proximal end of the user interface. In some embodiments, the control interface may further include an advancement component configured to selectably extend from a distal end of the handle to advance the endotracheal tube along the insertion member. The advancement component, in some embodiments, may include a manual or a spring-loaded slide for advancing the advancement component or the advancement component may be motorized.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Illustrative, non-limiting example embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1A and FIG. IB are schematic views of an intubation device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic views of an intubation device with a camera and display, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic views of an intubation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B and FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate distal portion of an endotracheal tube being manipulated by intubation device to facilitate its insertion into the trachea of the patient, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C are schematic views of another intubation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a representative manner in which a healthcare provider may perform a tracheal intubation using intubation systems, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C are schematic views showing actuation of an advancement component to advance an endotracheal tube along an insertion member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate mechanisms for advancing an advancement component, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates actuation members, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONIntubation Device 100

[0021] FIG. 1A and FIG. IB are schematic views of a representative embodiment of an intubation device 100. Intubation device 100, in various embodiments, may be configured to facilitate the navigation of an endotracheal tube to a patient’s trachea during an intubation procedure and may generally include an insertion member 110 and a user interface 120, as described in more detail herein.Insertion Member 110

[0022] Insertion member 110, in various embodiments, may be configured to selectably manipulate a shape an endotracheal tube during the insertion process, as described in more detail herein.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1A, insertion member 110, in various embodiments, may comprise a distal end 111, a proximal end 112, and an intermediate portion 113 spanning therebetween. In various embodiments, insertion member 110 may be semi-rigid - that is, it may be sufficiently rigid to largely maintain a neutral, elongated shape but be flexible enough to temporarily adapt to a shape of the surrounding anatomy when inserted inside of a patient’s body. While shown as straight in the present figures, in an embodiment, insertion member 110 may have a slight curvature in a neutral state - for example, one complementing the natural curvature of an endotracheal tube and / or that of a typical airway. Insertion member 110, in various embodiments,Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 may have a diameter (or other crosswise dimension if not circular in cross section) that is smaller than an inner diameter of an endotracheal tube, such that insertion member 110 can be inserted into the endotracheal tube.

[0024] In various embodiments, insertion member 110 may have a length substantially similar to that of an endotracheal tube as well. For example, in an embodiment, insertion member 110 may be equal in length to an endotracheal tube. As configured, distal end Ill is substantially even with a distal end of the endotracheal tube when fully inserted into the endotracheal tube. In another embodiment, insertion member 110 may be slightly shorter than the length of an endotracheal tube. As configured, distal end 111 extends along most of the length of the endotracheal tube when fully inserted but stops short of reaching the distal end of the endotracheal tube. In yet another embodiment, insertion member 110 may be slightly longer than the length of an endotracheal tube. As configured, distal end 111 extends the full length of the endotracheal tube and slightly beyond when fully inserted. As used herein, the terms “slightly shorter, “slightly longer,” and derivatives thereof refer to ranges of about 5% to about 25% of the length of the corresponding endotracheal tube. For reference, typical endotracheal tubes range between about 250 mm and 350 mm long across inner diameters ranging between about 2.5 mm (newborn) to about 7.0-8.5 mm (typical adult) and even up to about 10 mm (very large adults). Accordingly, an insertion member 110 that is slightly shorter than a 250 mm endotracheal tube may be about 187.5 mm to about 237.5 mm long and an insertion member 110 that is slightly longer than a 250 mm endotracheal tube may be about 262.5 mm to about 312.5 mm long.

[0025] The significance of the length of insertion member 110 relative to that of the endotracheal tube 200 in various embodiments will be further discussed in more detail herein, but generally speaking insertion member 110 is similar in length to endotracheal tube 200 and thus will be far shorter and thus more manageable than a scope used in Background Guidewire intubation approaches. The minimum length of such scopes must account for (i) the length of the endotracheal tube itself, assuming the endotracheal tube is pre-loaded onto the scope and is not advanced into the patient until the distal end of the scope is in the patient’s trachea and (ii) the length of the patient’s anatomical passage to the desired insertion depth within the patient’s trachea. Assuming a 325 mm endotracheal tube and a typical 220 mm insertion depth for an adult male, the minimum length of a Background Guidewire scope may be about 545 mm but in all likelihood the scope used would be even longer given the choices available on the market.Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026

[0026] Referring to FIG. IB, insertion member 110, in various embodiments, may further include an articulating portion 114. Articulating portion 114, in various embodiments, may be configured to selectably articulate in one or more directions in response to control inputs by the healthcare provider using control interface 122 of user interface 120 (later described). In the preferred embodiment shown, articulating portion 114 articulates in a first direction and in a second, opposing direction; however, it should be understood that in other embodiments articulating portion 114 may articulate in one direction only, or in one or more additional directions so as to have up to six degrees of freedom. Articulating portion 114, in various embodiments, may form from about 10% to about 25% of the length of insertion member 110 depending on the particular embodiment. In various embodiments, articulating portion 114 may be at distal end 111 of insertion member 110. This can provide greater control over steering the distal end of endotracheal tube 200 and may require less force to manipulate the shape of endotracheal tube 200. However, in some embodiments, articulating portion 114 may not be at distal end 111, but rather somewhere more proximal along intermediate portion 113 (e.g., maybe situated about 2 / 3 or 3 / 4 of the way towards distal end 111). The significance of the length and positioning of articulating portion 114 and the direction(s) in which it may articulate will be further discussed in more detail herein.

[0027] Referring ahead to FIG. 10, insertion member 110, in various embodiments, may contain one or more actuation members 117 which, when actuated, serve to articulate articulating portion 114. In an embodiment, actuation member(s) 117 are similar to those utilized to articulate a fiber optic scope or an endoscope such as angulation wires. Tension can be selectably applied to one or a combination of these wires to articulate articulating portion 114. In another embodiment, actuation members may include one or more materials configured to selectably expand / contract in response to the application of electrical current. The resultant tension may be used to control the direction and magnitude in which articulating portion 114 articulates much the same by tensioning angulation wires. Of course, any means by which the direction and magnitude of articulation can be selectably controlled may be utilized and the specific examples described herein are intended merely to be illustrative and non-limiting.

[0028] Various embodiments of insertion member 110 need not include any other components typically found in the tube of a fiber optic scope or endoscope such as a camera or a working channel. Instead, in various embodiments, a healthcare provider will be able to either directly view the laryngeal structures (e.g., vocal cords and entrance to trachea) upon moving the tongue andAttorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 other tissues out of the way using a direct laryngoscope and / or view these structures via the camera and display of a video laryngoscope. Notwithstanding, in an embodiment, insertion member 110 may be optionally equipped with a camera 115 as shown in FIG. 2 A and FIG. 2B.User Interface 120

[0029] Referring back to FIG. 1A and FIG. IB, user interface 120, in various embodiments, may be coupled to proximal end 112 of insertion member 110 and provide a means by which device 100 can be held and articulating portion 114 thereof controlled by a healthcare provider, as described in more detail herein.

[0030] User interface 120, in various embodiments, may generally include a handle 121 configured to be held in the hand of a healthcare provider (e.g., in the manner later shown in FIG.7) and a control interface 122 (e g., a joystick, roller ball, or d-pad) operable by that same hand (e.g., by the thumb). In the embodiment shown, handle 121 is substantially cylindrical and provides a means by which the healthcare provider can hold device 100 and advance / retract / rotate device 100 inside of the patient’s body. Handle 121, in various embodiments, may house one or more actuators for actuating the actuation members of insertion member 110. Operation of these actuators may be selectably controlled via user inputs to control interface 122. For example, pushing the joystick a particular distance in a particular direction may cause the actuator(s) to actuate the one or more actuation members in a manner suitable to articulate articulating section 114 of insertion member 110 in that same direction and by a corresponding magnitude. Releasing the joystick, in an embodiment, may cause articulating section 114 to remain in its then-current articulated position such that the healthcare provider need not continue to hold the joystick in the corresponding position in order to maintain the articulated position. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, user interface 120 may further comprise a display 123 for displaying to the healthcare practitioner images / video captured by camera 115.Intubation System 1000

[0031] FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B are schematic views of a representative embodiment of an intubation system 1000. Intubation system 1000, in various embodiments, may generally include an intubation device 100 and an endotracheal tube 200 positioned thereon such that selective articulation of articulating portion 114 of intubation device 100 manipulates a shape of a distal portion 204 of endotracheal tube 200, as described in more detail herein.Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026

[0032] In various embodiments, insertion member 110 of intubation device 100 is substantially the same length as or slightly shorter than a length of endotracheal tube 200. A proximal end 202 of endotracheal tube 200 may be positioned proximate to (in some cases, abutting) user interface 120 and intermediate portion 113 of insertion member 110 may extend through the hollow inside of endotracheal tube 200 such that distal end Ill is substantially even with or falls slightly short of distal end 201 of endotracheal tube 200. As configured, articulation of articulating portion 114 of insertion member 110 causes distal portion 204 of endotracheal tube 200 to articulate in like manner - that is, in the same direction and by the substantially the same magnitude - in response to articulating portion 114 pressing against the inner wall of distal portion 204.

[0033] FIGS. 4A and 4B and FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate distal portion 204 of endotracheal tube 200 being manipulated by intubation device 100 to facilitate its insertion into the trachea of the patient. In operation, intubation system 1000 is advanced as a single unitto a location just upstream of the trachea entrance. Ideally, distal end 201 of endotracheal tube 200 will align with the entrance to the trachea (shown here by an “X”) but in practice distal end 201 may not be aligned therewith in such a manner. As shown in FIG. 4A, upon arrival, the distal end 201 may be aligned with the cartilage on the posterior side of the trachea entrance, in which case articulating portion 114 may be articulated in an anterior direction (i.e., towards the vocal cords and epiglottis) and distance to, in turn, cause distal end 201 to align with the trachea entrance as shown in FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 5 A, upon arrival, the distal end 201 may be aligned with the epiglottis on the anterior side of the trachea entrance, in which case articulating portion 114 may be articulated in a posterior direction and distance to, in turn, cause distal end 201 to align with the trachea entrance as shown in FIG. 5B. This is characteristic of embodiments in which articulating portion 114 is capable of being selectably articulated in opposing directions. In an embodiment where articulating portion 114 is only capable of being selectably articulated in a single direction, the healthcare practitioner may instead opt to rotate intubation device 100 by 180 degrees such that the resulting articulation is in the desired direction relative to the anatomy of the patient. Of course, in practice the distal end 201 of endotracheal tube 200 may arrive somewhat off to one side of the trachea entrance; in such cases, the articulating portion 114 may be actuated in like manner to bend distal end 201 into alignment with the trachea entrance, either directly (if capable of multiple degree of freedom articulation) or via a combination of rotating intubation device 100 and articulation.Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026

[0034] Once distal end 201 is alignment with the trachea entrance, the endotracheal tube 200 may be advanced into the trachea. This can be accomplished either by continuing to advance system 1000 via advancing handle 121 or by advancing endotracheal tube 200 while holding intubation device 100 in place.Intubation System 2000

[0035] FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C are schematic views of a representative embodiment of an intubation system 2000. Like intubation system 1000, intubation system 2000 may generally include an intubation device 100 and an endotracheal tube 200 that are largely advanced together through the patient’s body to the trachea; however, unlike intubation system 1000, the distal portion of intubation device 100 may be configured to operate as a relatively short guidewire along which a distal portion of endotracheal tube 200 is advanced the final distance into the trachea from a position just upstream of the trachea, as described in more detail herein.

[0036] In various embodiments, insertion member 110 of intubation device 100 is slightly longer than a length of endotracheal tube 200. A proximal end 202 of endotracheal tube 200 may be positioned proximate to (in some cases, abutting) user interface 120 and intermediate portion 113 of insertion member 110 may extend through the hollow inside of endotracheal tube 200 and extend beyond a distal end 201 thereof, exposing a protruding portion 116 of the insertion member 110.

[0037] In various embodiments, the length of protruding portion 116 may be long enough to extend into the trachea from a position just outside of the trachea, such that protruding portion 116 can serve as a guidewire along which to advance endotracheal tube 200 into the trachea. Generally speaking, protruding portion 116 need not be any longer than necessary to position the distal end 201 of endotracheal tube 200 just inside of the trachea since, once distal end 201 is steered by protruding portion 116 to a location just inside the trachea, endotracheal tube 200 can be further advanced to a desired insertion depth within the trachea. This minimum distance varies depending on anatomy but may be about 20 mm for an adult. Additional length can be harder to manage and, in any event, it is undesirable for protruding portion 116 to reach the carina. For reference, the trachea of a typical adult is about 100 mm to about 130 mm long to the carina and thus, in various embodiments, protruding portion 116 may be less than or equal to about 130 mm. In one embodiment, the length of protruding portion 116 may be about equal to a desired insertion depthAttorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 of endotracheal tube 200 within the trachea. For reference, endotracheal tubes are typically advanced until the distal end sits about 30 mm to 70 mm above the carina in adults; accordingly protruding portion 116 may be about 30 mm to about 70 mm long when used with an adult having a 100 mm trachea and about 60 mm to 100 mm long when used with an adult having a 130 mm trachea. Thus, in an embodiment used for adults, protruding portion 116 may be between about 30mm to about 100 mm long. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize a suitable length of protruding portion 116 for a given application that allows distal end 111 of insertion member 110 to be steered into the trachea and for protruding portion 116 to serve as a guidewire for advancing endotracheal tube 200 into the trachea from a location just upstream of the trachea. This includes scaling for patients of varying sizes (including pediatrics).

[0038] In some embodiments, protruding portion 116 includes an entire length of articulating portion 114. As configured, articulation of articulating portion 114 does not manipulate a shape of distal portion 204 of endotracheal tube 200. In other embodiments, articulating portion 114 is longer than protruding portion 116, meaning at least a portion of articulating portion 114 remains within endotracheal tube 200). As configured, articulation of articulating portion 114 may manipulate a shape of distal portion 204 of endotracheal tube 200 but perhaps not to the same magnitude as would otherwise occur in the embodiments of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B.

[0039] In operation, intubation system 2000 is advanced as a single unit to a location just upstream of the trachea entrance. Ideally, distal end 201 of endotracheal tube 200 will align with the entrance to the trachea but in practice distal end 201 may not be aligned therewith in such a manner. In such cases, articulating portion 114 may be articulated so as to place distal end 111 into alignment with the trachea entrance and then system 2000 advanced until distal end 111 passes through the trachea entrance. As configured, articulating portion 114 now serves as a guidewire along which endotracheal tube 200 can be advanced the short distance necessary to insert distal end 201 through the trachea entrance, as shown in FIG. 6C. Once across this threshold, the endotracheal tube 200 can be further advanced to a desired location within the trachea and anchored by inflating cuff 203.Methods for Performing a Tracheal Intubation Using Systems 1000, 2000

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a representative manner in which a healthcare provider may perform a tracheal intubation using system 1000 or system 2000. In this representative approach, the healthcare provider may use a laryngoscope to move the patient’s tongue and other tissues out ofAttorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 the way in preparation for inserting endotracheal tube 200. Holding the laryngoscope in one hand (e.g., the left hand), the healthcare provider may insert a distal end of system 1000 / 2000 into the patient’s mouth while holding handle 121 of device 100 with his or her other hand (e.g., the right hand). Continuing to hold the laryngoscope with the left hand, the healthcare provider may advance system 1000 / 2000 towards the entrance to the patient’s trachea using the right hand while continuing to hold handle 121 with the right hand. Upon nearing the entrance to the patient’s trachea, the healthcare provider may continue to hold handle 121 with a portion of the right hand (e.g., the index, middle, ring, and pinkie fingers) while using another portion of the right hand (e.g., the thumb) to operate control interface 122 (e.g., joystick) to actuate articulating portion 114 as necessary to align distal end 111 with the entrance to the trachea, as previously described. If using system 1000, the healthcare provider may then use the right hand (still holding handle 121) to further advance system 1000 such that both device 100 and endotracheal tube 200 enter the trachea together, until cuff 203 is positioned at the desired location within the patient’s trachea (typically an overall insertion depth of about 21 cm to about 23 cm past a typical adult patient’s teeth). Once inside the trachea, the healthcare provider can remove the laryngoscope from the patient, thereby freeing up the left hand to inflate cuff 203 and secure the endotracheal tube 200 with tape. If using system 2000, the healthcare provider may further advance system 2000 until distal end 111 of device 100 enters the trachea, and then the healthcare provider may advance endotracheal tube 200 along protruding portion 116 of device 110 and into the trachea while continuing to hold device 110 in place using the right hand. This may be accomplished manually using the right hand only (e.g., hold handle 121 with certain fingers while using the remaining fingers to push down on the proximal end 201 of endotracheal tube 200 to advance it along insertion member 110) or by actuating an advancement component 130 of user interface 120 (later shown and described in the context of FIG. 8). Either way, the protruding portion 116 of device 110 serves as a guidewire for directing distal end 201 of endotracheal tube 200 into the trachea. Endotracheal tube 200 may be further advanced until cuff 203 is positioned at the desired location within the patient’s trachea, at which point the healthcare provider can remove the laryngoscope from the patient, thereby freeing up the left hand to inflate cuff 203 and secure the endotracheal tube 200 with tape.

[0041] Notably, embodiments of systems 1000 and 2000 provide several advantages including, without limitation:Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 • As evidenced above, the entire intubation procedure can be performed by a single healthcare provider without necessarily needing assistance from a second healthcare provider. This ability stems, in part, from the relative similarities in length of the insertion member 110 and the endotracheal tube 200 and is a significant benefit over the “Background Guidewire” approach, which necessarily requires two healthcare providers to perform given the relatively long lengths of endoscopes compared with endotracheal tubes.• The intubation procedure may be performed faster than the “Background Stylet” approach, since the ability to selectably articulate articulating portion 114 to align distal end 111 with the trachea obviates the possible need to swap out or reshape stylets in order to achieve similar alignment. Likewise, not needing to repeatedly insert and remove the endotracheal tube until a suitable stylet shape is achieved makes the intubation procedure less likely to cause trauma to the tissues surrounding the patient’s airway.• The intubation procedure may be performed faster than the “Background Guidewire” approach described in the Background section of the present disclosure, since the endotracheal tube may largely be advanced to the trachea during navigation as opposed to first navigating with a fiber optic scope and then advancing the endotracheal tube. Likewise, system 2000 minimizes the distance the endotracheal tube 200 is advanced along a guidewire-like structure (e.g., the final distance through the trachea entrance along protruding portion 116 versus the entire length of the airway along a fiberoptic scope), which in turn minimizes potential tissue trauma resulting from transient misalignment of distal end 201 of endotracheal tube 200 and the path of the guidewire.• Device 100 may be less expensive than a fiber optic scope (and accompanying display monitor). This may expand the accessibility of device 100 - and thus, the associated benefits - to more healthcare providers in settings where keeping a fiber optic scope on hand may otherwise be cost prohibitive.

[0042] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C are schematic views showing actuation of an advancement component 130 to advance endotracheal tube 200 along insertion member 110. FIG. 8A shows the advancement component 130 in a retracted position and FIG. 8B shows the advancement component 130 in an extended position. FIG. 8C shows user interface 120 from the perspective of looking down the insertion member from distal end 111 toward proximal end 112. AdvancementAttorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 component 130, in various embodiments, may be an elongated member that is recessed within or otherwise nested with handle 121 when in a retracted position and slides outwards towards proximal end 202 of endotracheal tube 200 when actuated so as to advance endotracheal tube 200 along insertion member 110, as shown. In an embodiment, advancement member 130 is a hollow cylinder having one open end 131 and one closed end 132, the closed end 132 having an opening 133 large enough to accommodate insertion member 110 therethrough but small enough to cause an outer surface of the closed end 132 to contact and push against proximal end 202 of endotracheal tube 200. Advancement member 130, in various embodiments, may have a slightly smaller diameter than that of handle 121 and may be hollow so as to not interfere with the actuator(s) and other electronics accommodated within handle 121. Advancement member 130 may be actuated in any number of suitable ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, in an embodiment, the user may manually slide a finger tab 134 within a rail 135 on handle 121. As shown in FIG. 9B, in another embodiment, the user may depress a button 136 that releases a spring-loaded embodiment 137 of advancement member 130 from a retracted position to the extended position. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the user may depress a button that activates a motor that moves a motorized version of the advancement member 130 from a retracted position to the extended position.

[0043] Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An intubation system, comprising:a endotracheal tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow interior extending therebetween; andan intubation device comprising:a user interface comprising a handle and a control interface for receiving control inputs from a user of the intubation device, the handle and the control interface being positioned such that a user may simultaneously hold the handle and operate the control interface with one hand; andan elongated insertion member comprising (i) a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the user interface, (ii) an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the endotracheal tube such that the insertion member can be inserted into the hollow interior of the endotracheal tube through the proximal end of the endotracheal tube, and (iii) an articulating portion configured to selectably articulate in one or more directions in response to the control inputs,wherein, when the elongated insertion member is fully inserted into the endotracheal tube, at least a portion of the articulating portion is positioned within the hollow interior of the endotracheal tube such that selectably articulating the articulating portion causes the endotracheal tube to articulate in like manner.

2. The intubation system of claim 1, wherein the insertion member has a length equal to, slightly shorter than, or slightly longer than a length of the endotracheal tube.

3. The intubation system of claim 1, wherein the articulating portion is situated at a distal end of the insertion member.

4. The intubation system of claim 3, wherein the articulating portion forms about 10% to about 25% of a length of the insertion member.Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 5. The intubation system of claim 1, wherein the insertion member comprises one or more actuation members for articulating the articulating portion, the one or more actuation members comprising one or more angulation wires.

6. The intubation system of claim 1, wherein the insertion member comprises one or more one or more actuation members for articulating the articulating portion, the one or more actuation members comprising one or more materials configured to selectably expand or contract in response to the application of electrical current.

7. The intubation system of claim 1, wherein the control interface is positioned at a proximal end of the user interface.

8. The intubation system of claim 1, wherein the user interface further comprises an advancement component configured to selectably extend from a distal end of the handle to advance the endotracheal tube along the insertion member.

9. The intubation system of claim 8, wherein the advancement component comprises a manual or a spring-loaded slide for advancing the advancement component.

10. The intubation system of claim 8, wherein the advancement component is motorized.

11. An intubation system, comprising:a endotracheal tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow interior extending therebetween; andan intubation device comprising:a user interface comprising a handle and a control interface for receiving control inputs from a user of the intubation device, the handle and the control interface being positioned such that a user may simultaneously hold the handle and operate the control interface with one hand; andan elongated insertion member comprising (i) a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the user interface, (ii) an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the endotracheal tube such that the insertion member can be inserted into the hollow interior of the endotracheal tube through the proximal end of the endotracheal tube, and (iii) anAttorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 articulating portion configured to selectably articulate in one or more directions in response to the control inputs,wherein, when the elongated insertion member is fully inserted into the endotracheal tube, a protruding portion of the insertion member comprises an entirety of the articulating portion such that (i) selectably articulating the articulating portion via the user interface does not manipulate a shape of the endotracheal tube and (ii) the articulating portion defines a guidewire along which the endotracheal tube may be advanced.

12. The intubation system of claim 11, wherein a length of the protruding portion is equal to or less than a length of a trachea.

13. The intubation system of claim 11, wherein a length of the protruding portion does not exceed about 130 mm.

14. The intubation system of claim 11, wherein a length of the protruding portion is at least about 20 mm.

15. The intubation system of claim 11, wherein the insertion member comprises one or more actuation members for articulating the articulating portion, the one or more actuation members comprising one or more angulation wires.

16. The intubation system of claim 11, wherein the insertion member comprises one or more one or more actuation members for articulating the articulating portion, the one or more actuation members comprising one or more materials configured to selectably expand or contract in response to the application of electrical current.

17. The intubation system of claim 11, wherein the control interface is positioned at a proximal end of the user interface.

18. The intubation system of claim 11, wherein the user interface further comprises an advancement component configured to selectably extend from a distal end of the handle to advance the endotracheal tube along the insertion member.Attorney Docket No.: LAURELIP-010101 / PCT Date of Deposit: 3 / 20 / 2026 19. The intubation system of claim 18, wherein the advancement component comprises a manual or a spring-loaded slide for advancing the advancement component.

20. The intubation system of claim 18, wherein the advancement component is motorized.

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