Endotracheal tube/stethoscope/thermistor combination

An assembly for providing endotracheal ventilation and vital sound monitoring by stethoscope in a patient comprising:

• a. a tracheal tube having a preformed bow for matching the curvature of the trachea and a distal end for positioning in the trachea of the patient and including a side wall;
• b. means for substantially peripherally sealing the assembly against the tracheal wall adjacent the distal end of the tube inserted in the trachea;
• c. means for providing ventilation to the trachea through said tube;
• d. audio means extending along the tube at least partially coextensive with said sealing means and having sufficient resiliency to vibrate in responsive to patient vital sounds to permit monitoring during ventilation;
• and
• e. port means opening to said audio means positioned approximately 90.degree. from the outside of the bow relative to the tube of the tube and directed toward the left side of the patient and the heart for substantially direct path pick-up of heart sounds.

An assembly for providing endotracheal ventilation and vital sound monitoring by stethoscope in a patient comprising:

• a. a tracheal tube having a distal end for positioning in the trachea of the patient and including a side wall;
• b. means for substantially peripherally sealing the assembly against the tracheal wall adjacent the distal end of the tube inserted in the trachea;
• c. means for providing ventilation to the trachea through said tube;
• d. audio means extending along the tube at least partially coextensive with said sealing means and having sufficient resiliency to vibrate in response to patient vital sounds to permit monitoring during ventilation;
• e. port means opening to said audio means and directed toward the left side of the patient and the heart for substantially direct path pick-up of heart sounds;
• and
• f. said audio means including a cuff formed by a plastic sleeve extending around the periphery of the tube, said sleeve having a plurality of integral stiffening ribs to resist collapse against said tube.

An assembly for providing endotracheal ventilation, vital sound monitoring by stethoscope, and body core temperature monitoring in a patient comprising:

• a. a tracheal tube having a distal end for positioning in the trachea of the patient;
• b. means for substantially peripherally sealing the assembly against the tracheal wall adjacent the distal end of the tube inserted in the trachea;
• c. means for providing ventilation to the trachea through said tube;
• d. audio means extending along the tube at least partially coextensive with said sealing means and having sufficient resiliency to vibrate in response to patient vital sounds to permit monitoring during ventilation;
• and
• e. a temperature transducer on said tube and exposed to the outside said tube to be substantially in contact with the mucous membrane of the tracheal to permit monitoring of the patient body core temperature during ventilation;
• said audio means comprising a cuff formed by a plastic sleeve extending around the periphery of the tube, said sleeve having a plurality of integral stiffening ribs to resist collapse against said tube.

An assembly for providing endotracheal ventilation, vital sound monitoring by stethoscope, in a patient comprising:

• a. a tracheal tube having a distal end for positioning in the trachea of the patient;
• b. means for substantially peripherally sealing the assembly against the tracheal wall adjacent the distal end of the tube inserted in the trachea;
• c. means for providing ventilation to the trachea through said tube;
• and
• d. audio means extending along the tube at least partially coextensive with said sealing means and having sufficient resiliency to vibrate in response to patient vital sounds to permit monitoring during ventilation;
• said audio means comprising a cuff formed by a plastic sleeve extending around the periphery of the tube, said sleeve having stiffening means to resist collapse against said tube.