# US 2014/0155720 A1 · Endotracheal tube apparatus

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0155720 A1
- Document ID: US20140155720A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/175,165
- Filed: 2014-02-07
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2009-10-02
- Assignees: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
- Applicants: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
- Inventors: Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus; David C. Hacker; Wenjeng Li; David J. Little; Carla A. Pagotto; Dwayne S. Yamasaki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155720A1

## CPC

- A61N 1/0517: {Esophageal electrodes}
- A61B 1/00082: {Balloons}
- A61B 1/00148: {using anchoring means}
- A61B 1/07: using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
- A61B 1/267: for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes or bronchoscopes
- A61B 1/2673: {for monitoring movements of vocal chords}
- A61B 5/01: Measuring temperature of body parts {; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue} (clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20)
- A61B 5/062: {using magnetic field}
- A61B 5/064: {using markers (A61B5/062 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/065: {Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe}
- A61B 5/07: Endoradiosondes
- A61B 5/11: Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb {(A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721)}
- A61B 5/296: for electromyography [EMG]
- A61B 5/394: specially adapted for electroglottography or electropalatography
- A61B 5/395: Details of stimulation, e.g. nerve stimulation to elicit EMG response
- A61B 5/6853: {with a balloon}
- A61M 16/04: Tracheal tubes (catheters in general A61M25/00)
- A61M 16/0434: {Cuffs}
- A61M 16/0443: {Special cuff-wall materials (A61M16/0481, A61M16/0422 take precedence)}
- A61M 16/0445: {Special cuff forms, e.g. undulated}
- A61M 16/0459: {one cuff behind another}
- A61M 16/0463: {combined with suction tubes, catheters or the like; Outside connections}
- A61M 16/0488: {Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes (guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02)}
- A61N 1/0519: {Endotracheal electrodes}
- A61B 1/005: Flexible endoscopes
- A61B 1/015: Control of fluid supply or evacuation
- A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments
- A61B 5/285: Endotracheal, oesophageal or gastric probes
- A61B 2562/0209: Special features of electrodes classified in A61B5/24, A61B5/25, A61B5/283, A61B5/291, A61B5/296, A61B5/053
- A61B 2562/0215: Silver or silver chloride containing
- A61B 2562/0217: Electrolyte containing
- A61B 2562/0219: Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
- A61B 2562/0261: Strain gauges
- A61B 2562/046: in a matrix array
- A61M 16/0411: {with means for differentiating between oesophageal and tracheal intubation}
- A61M 16/0425: {Metal tubes}
- A61M 16/0825: {with ball-sockets}
- A61M 2205/0233: Conductive materials, e.g. antistatic coatings for spark prevention
- A61M 2205/0294: Piezoelectric materials
- A61M 2205/3306: Optical measuring means
- A61M 2205/332: Force measuring means
- A61M 2205/3344: Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
- A61M 2205/3368: Temperature
- A61M 2205/3546: Range
- A61M 2205/3569: sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
- A61M 2205/3592: using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
- A61M 2205/6054: Magnetic identification systems
- A61M 2210/065: Throat; Pharynx
- A61M 2230/08: Other bio-electrical signals
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- 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

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles, comprising:
an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds;
a first electrode formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds; and
a second electrode formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds, wherein the first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising:
at least one conductor coupled to the first and second electrodes and configured to carry the EMG signals received by the electrodes to a processing apparatus.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is formed on a posterior side of the endotracheal tube.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second electrode is formed on an anterior side of the endotracheal tube.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode each have a length of about one inch.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first electrode and the second electrode extends laterally around a circumference of the tube for a distance corresponding to an angle of about 60 degrees to 90 degrees.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising:
a third electrode formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first electrode is formed on a posterior side of the endotracheal tube, and the second and third electrodes are formed on an anterior side of the endotracheal tube.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising:
a third electrode formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location; and
a fourth electrode formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first and fourth electrodes are formed on a posterior side of the endotracheal tube, and the second and third electrodes are formed on an anterior side of the endotracheal tube.

### Claim 11

A method of monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles, comprising:
providing an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface with electrodes formed thereon, wherein the endotracheal tube includes a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds, and wherein the electrodes include a first electrode positioned substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds and a second electrode positioned substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds;
sensing the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles with the electrodes when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient; and
outputting the EMG signals sensed by the conductive ink electrodes to a processing apparatus.

### Claim 12

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles, comprising:
an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface;
at least one electrode formed on the exterior surface in an electrode region of the endotracheal tube, the at least one electrode configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient; and
at least one tube placement marking positioned in the electrode region and configured to facilitate longitudinal and rotational positioning of the at least one electrode within a patient, wherein the at least one tube placement marking includes at least one band that substantially surrounds a circumference of the endotracheal tube, and a vertical line segment that extends in a longitudinal direction along the at least one band.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the vertical line segment and the at least one band each have a length that is substantially the same as a length of the at least one electrode.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one band comprises a plurality of solid color bands surrounding a circumference of the endotracheal tube.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the plurality of solid color bands includes three different colored bands.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one tube placement marking further comprises a plurality of horizontal line segments that are each centered on the vertical line segment and are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one tube placement marking further comprises first and second diagonal line segments that intersect each other at a common point and form an x-type marking.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the vertical line segment intersects the first and second diagonal line segments at the common point.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one tube placement marking further comprises a first solid color triangular shaped marking and a second solid color triangular shaped marking.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the vertical line segment includes two solid color end portions separated by a solid color middle portion, and wherein the middle portion is formed of a color that is different than a color of the end portions.