Intubation device having stiffening member

A method of intubating a patient with an endotracheal tube using a device having a flexible sheath with an open end connected to a housing and a closed, free end extending away from the housing, the sheath including a bore extending from the open end to a point adjacent to the closed, free end, wherein the endotracheal tube has a distal end for insertion into the patient's trachea and a proximal end outside the patient, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) inserting a stiffening member comprised of a ductile or malleable material inside the bore of the sheath to provide added stiffness to the sheath;
• (b) inserting the sheath into an endotracheal tube;
• (c) bending the endotracheal tube, after the sheath and stiffening member within the bore of the sheath have been inserted into the endotracheal tube, to form an angle at the distal end of the endotracheal tube to facilitate insertion of the endotracheal tube into the patient's trachea;
• and
• (d) inserting the distal end of the endotracheal tube into the patient's trachea.

A combination, comprising:

• (a) an endotracheal tube having a distal end for insertion into a patient's trachea and a proximal end outside the patient;
• and
• (b) an intubation device having
• a housing;
• a flexible sheath having an open end connected to the housing and a closed, free end extending away from the housing, the sheath including a bore extending from the open end to a point adjacent to the closed, free end, the sheath being pliable and adapted to fit within the endotracheal tube;
• and
• a stiffening member for insertion inside the bore of the sheath to increase the stiffness of the sheath, wherein the stiffening member is comprised of a ductile or malleable material such that the member may be bent and maintained at varying angles, such that the location of the stiffening member within the bore of the sheath may be changed by the user.

A method of intubating a patient with an endotracheal tube using a device having a flexible sheath with an open end connected to a housing and a closed, free end extending away from the housing, the sheath including a bore extending from the open end to a point adjacent to the closed, free end, wherein the endotracheal tube has a distal end for insertion into the patient's trachea and a proximal end outside the patient, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) inserting a stiffening member comprised of a ductile or malleable material inside the bore of the sheath to provide added stiffness to the sheath;
• (b) inserting the sheath into an endotracheal tube until the closed, free end of the sheath is approximately at the distal end of the endotracheal tube;
• (c) bending the endotracheal tube, after the sheath and stiffening member within the bore of the sheath have been inserted into the endotracheal tube, to form an angle at the distal end of the endotracheal tube to facilitate insertion of the endotracheal tube into the patient's trachea;
• (d) inserting the distal end of the endotracheal tube toward the patient's trachea;
• (e) partially withdrawing the stiffening member out of the bore through the open end of the sheath, just after the distal end of the endotracheal tube has passed through the patient's vocal cords, thereby providing increased flexibility to the distal end of the endotracheal tube;
• and
• (f) advancing the endotracheal tube into the patient's trachea to complete the intubation process with a minimum of tracheal wall damage or trauma.