Endotracheal tube with fulcrum

#The present invention is directed to a device for intubation of a patient. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an endotracheal tube assembly having a plurality of curved portions to facilitate improved intubation results in patients.

#Medicine has progressed using big screens in every specialty. Although the adaptation of the videoscope to the endotracheal tube aids the medical care provider, we still have the problem of human anatomy which has natural curves in normal anatomy patients, and abnormal curves in the pathological anatomy patient. Historically, endotracheal instruments have been relatively straight. Our challenge remains to be able to ventilate, even if we cannot intubate. Where failure to intubate exists, if ventilation is possible, the patient has other options that may be initiated. Where there is an inability to ventilate, the situation becomes an emergency.

#The endotracheal tube (ETT) according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the “Fulcrum ET”) provides advantages over conventional ETTs. The Fulcrum ET has greater flexibility in the hands of a skilled practitioner's cannot-ventilate-cannot-intubate (CVCI) scenario than conventional ETTs. Previous modifications to the conventional endotracheal instrument focused on the blade, the handle, the lights, and the length. The skill set of the provider in using a conventional ETT has also been considered as a possible avenue for improvement.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional endotracheal tube assembly.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of an endotracheal tube assembly according to the present invention.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of an endotracheal tube assembly according to the present invention.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional endotracheal tube assembly. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional endotracheal tube assembly 1 includes a hollow flexible tube 5 and a stylet 4. The conventional endotracheal tube assembly 1 has only one bent portion 2, which is located near the end of the endotracheal tube assembly that is inserted into a patient's mouth (hereinafter referred to as the “insertion end”). The conventional endotracheal tube assembly 1 also includes an adaptor 3 to attach the endotracheal tube assembly to other equipment. As described above, conventional endotracheal tube assemblies suffer from a number of disadvantages that are overcome by the endotracheal tube assembly according to the present invention (the Fulcrum ET).

#FIG. 2 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of an endotracheal tube assembly according to the Fulcrum ET. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the endotracheal tube assembly 10 includes at least two bent portions or curved portions. The first bent portion 20 is located near the insertion end of the endotracheal tube assembly, and the second bent portion 30 is located in a central portion of the endotracheal tube assembly. The second bent portion 30 is also referred to herein as the fulcrum of the Fulcrum ET.

#As illustrated in FIG. 2, the Fulcrum ET assembly 10 includes a hollow flexible tube 60, a flexible stylet 40 disposed inside of the hollow tube 60, a balloon cuff 70 that inflates with air during an intubation to maintain a larger opening in the patient, and an external air tube 50 that is used to provide the air for inflation of the balloon cuff 70. The endotracheal tube assembly 10 has a first curved portion 20 adjacent to an insertion end of the endotracheal tube assembly and a second curved portion 30 in a central portion of the endotracheal tube assembly. A curvature of the first curved portion 20 is greater (i.e., has a tighter curve) than a curvature of the second curved portion 30. As described herein, curvature refers to an amount by which the assembly is bent or curved, where a flat assembly has no bend or curvature, and the less flat the assembly is, the more curvature it has. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second curved portion (fulcrum) 30 is placed in the middle of the Fulcrum ET assembly 10, or just distal of the middle of the ET tube at approximately 16 to 18 cm from the insertion end of the Fulcrum ET assembly 10.