# US 10,478,579 B1 · Blind intubation device and related methodologies for endotracheal intubation

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- Number: US 10,478,579 B1
- Document ID: US10478579B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/428,344
- Filed: 2019-05-31
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2019-05-31
- Applicants: Richard Elton
- Inventors: Richard Elton
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478579B1

## CPC

- A61M 16/0493: {with means for protecting the tube from damage caused by the patient's teeth, e.g. bite block}
- A61M 16/0495: {with tongue depressors}
- A61M 16/0497: {Tube stabilizer}
- A61M 2025/0681: {Systems with catheter and outer tubing, e.g. sheath, sleeve or guide tube}
- A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method to facilitate insertion of the endotracheal tube into the patient's trachea.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for endotracheal intubation comprising the steps of:
obtaining an apparatus comprising
a funnel with a curved cannulated stem that is configured for oral insertion into a patients throat;
a lever arm that is tucked into a tip of the curved cannulated stem so that a nub of the lever arm is disposed within the curved cannulated stem;
obtaining an endotracheal tube;
opening a patient's mouth;
inserting the curved cannulated stem, tip-first, into the patient's mouth;
manipulating the positioning of said curved cannulated stem as to allow for its passage into the patient's throat;
ensuring the curved cannulated stem is fully inserted into the patient's throat;
passing the endotracheal tube through said funnel and curved cannulated stem to press the nub of the lever arm so that the lever arm extends out of the tip into contact with the patient's epiglottis wherein the endotracheal tube is directed by the curved cannulated stem away from the patient's esophagus and into the patient's trachea;
ensuring that an end of the endotracheal tube is exposed at the funnel and outside the patient's mouth;
attaching a ventilating means to the exposed end of the endotracheal tube; and
ventilating the patient's lungs with the ventilating means.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the ventilation means comprises an external bladder or an automated machine lung.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the curved cannulated stem is inserted in a rotated position and then counter-rotated once in the patient's mouth as to facilitate passage into the patient's throat.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the curved cannulated stem is inserted to a depth within the patient's throat while gripping wings that are fixed to the periphery of the funnel remain outside of the patient's mouth.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the lever arm is rotatably fixed to the tip of the cannulated stem via a hinge so that the lever arm pivots about the hinge from a tucked-in position to an extended position during the step of passing the endotracheal tube through said funnel and curved cannulated stem to press the nub of the lever arm so that the lever arm extends out of the tip into contact with the patient's epiglottis wherein the endotracheal tube is directed by the curved cannulated stem away from the patient's esophagus and into the patient's trachea.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein the lever arm is situated in the tucked-in position at an angle of zero degrees relative to a plane defined by the tip of the curved cannulated stem.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein the lever arm is situated in the extended position at an angle of one hundred and thirty-five degrees relative to a plane defined by the tip of the curved cannulated stem.