Imaging competent, bi-directionally articulable endotracheal tubes
AssigneeFarbes Medical, LLC
InventorWenLiang Yan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bi-directionally articulable endotracheal tube includes an articulator with a lever, pivoted on a bite block that, via two attached diametrical wires threaded through the tube wall, controls an articulee with two asymmetric notches sequestrated by three nested, specialized cuffs. A connector having an oval cross-section can effectively house and stopper a video stylet whose flexible tip is nimbly responsive to the articulator. The endotracheal tube can be partially styletted for routine intubation in a direct or video laryngoscopy, or video styletted as a ubiquitous alternative to intubative fiber optic bronchoscope and in combination with a video laryngoscope for dual imaging intubation.
Claims20
An endotracheal tube, comprising:
- an elongated tube with a distal end configured to be placed inside a trachea and a proximal end connectable to a ventilator, the tube having a concave and a convex surface which correspond to a patient's anterior and posterior side, respectively;
- a plurality of longitudinal passages having predetermined diameters extending within the tube, each of the plurality of longitudinal passages configured to receive an at least one controlling wire therethrough;
- a bite block having a predetermined length positioned along the tube, the bite block having a first surface and a second surface that align with the convex and concave surfaces of the tube and at least one fulcrum;
- at least one opening formed in the first and second surfaces of the bite block, the at least one opening configured to receive the at least one controlling wire;
- a removable lever having a ring that removably attaches to the at least one fulcrum and at least one slit that aligns with the at least one opening formed in the first and second surfaces of the bite block, the removable lever controlling a bi-directional movement of the distal end;
- a flexible portion of the tube proximate the distal end, the flexible portion comprising:
- a pair of diametric notches with rounded edges formed within the tube and extending through the plurality of longitudinal passages, the diametric notches comprising a first notch proximate the convex surface of the tube and a second notch proximate the concave surface of the tube;
- a first membranous wrap surrounding the diametric notches;
- a first hole and a second hole positioned on opposite sides of the diametric notches and configured to receive the at least one controlling wire;
- a second membranous wrap encompassing the first membranous wrap and the first and second holes;
- and
- a third membranous wrap encompassing the first and second membranous wraps, the third membranous wrap in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of longitudinal passages so that air can be injected to inflate the third membranous wrap;
- an insertion tip formed at the distal end of the tube;
- and
- a connector mounted on the proximal end of the tube, the connector adapted to secure a video imaging stylet to the tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.