Airway Detection Using Acoustic Signals

A catheter guidance system comprising:

• (a) a processor;
• (b) a power source;
• (c) a display device;
• (d) an external acoustic transducer;
• and
• (e) a tubing assembly comprising:
• a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the proximal end and the distal end define a lumen therebetween;
• and
• an internal acoustic transducer;
• wherein the internal acoustic transducer receives or transmits sound waves as controlled by the processor in real-time via an electrical connection;
• wherein the external acoustic transducer transmits or receives the sound waves, further wherein the internal acoustic transducer or the external acoustic transducer communicates acquired sound data to the processor in real-time via an electrical connection;
• wherein the display device is coupled to the processor and displays a graph of the sound data communicated by the internal acoustic transducer or the external acoustic transducer;
• and
• wherein the catheter guidance system alerts a user as to placement of the catheter in a digestive tract of a patient or alerts the user as to placement of the catheter in a respiratory tract of the patient.

A method for determining if a catheter is placed within a digestive tract of a body of a patient, the method comprising:

• (a) inserting a distal end of a tubing assembly into an orifice of the body, wherein the tubing assembly comprises:
• the catheter, wherein the catheter has a proximal end and a distal end and extends in a longitudinal direction, wherein the proximal end and the distal end define a lumen therebetween;
• and
• an internal acoustic transducer;
• (b) electrically connecting the internal acoustic transducer to a processor via a wired connection or a wireless connection;
• (c) placing an external acoustic transducer on or adjacent to the patient's throat or chest, wherein the external acoustic transducer is electrically connected to the processor via a wired connection or a wireless connection;
• (d) activating the internal acoustic transducer, wherein the internal acoustic transducer either receives or transmits sound waves as controlled by the processor in real-time via an electrical connection;
• (e) advancing the distal end of the catheter inside the body in a direction away from the orifice while the external acoustic transducer is activated;
• (f) activating the external acoustic transducer to either transmit or receive the sound waves, wherein the internal acoustic transducer or the external acoustic transducer acquire sound data from the sound waves and communicate the sound data to the processor in real-time;
• and
• (g) observing a graph of the sound data on a display device coupled to the processor, wherein the display device alerts a user as to placement of the catheter in the digestive tract of the patient or alerts the user as to incorrect placement of the catheter in a respiratory tract of the patient.