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US 7,458,375 B2Granted
Endotracheal intubation device
AssigneeAI Medical Devices, Inc.
InventorsJohn Schwartz, Richard Schwartz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An endotracheal intubation device having a curvable portion and internal optics or a viewing device which facilitate the insertion of an endotracheal tube into a patient. The curvable portion comprises a portion of the tubular element having one or more sets of slits to provide flexibility. The curvable portion curves in a controlled manner from a fully straight configuration.
Claims30
A device to facilitate endotracheal intubation of a patient, comprising:
- (a) a gripping means;
- (b) a tubular element having a proximal end attached to the gripping means and a distal end;
- (c) a continuous curvable portion of the tubular element disposed adjacent to the distal end of the tubular element, having cuts in the tubular element adapted to curve the curvable portion;
- (d) a control means operable from the gripping means;
- and
- (e) a means for moving the curvable portion transmitting force applied by the user on the control means to curve the curvable portion, wherein when the control portion is manipulated by the user, the curvable portion curves into a generally curved configuration in a controlled manner from a straight configuration and returns to a less curved conformation when the control means is released and having a shape memory to go back to the less curved conformation after the control means is released.
3 more elements
A method of inserting an endotracheal tube into the trachea of a patient comprising:
- (a) providing a device comprising a gripping means;
- a tubular element having a proximal end attached to the gripping means and a distal end;
- a continuous curvable portion of the tubular element disposed adjacent to the distal end of the tubular element, having cuts in the tubular element adapted to curve the curvable portion;
- a control means operable from the gripping means;
- and a means for moving the curvable portion transmitting force applied by the user on the control means to curve the curvable portion, wherein when the control portion is manipulated by the user, the curvable portion curves into a generally curved configuration in a controlled manner from a straight configuration and returns to a less curved conformation when the control means is released and having a shape memory to go back to the less curved conformation after the control means is released;
- (b) sliding the endotracheal tube over the tubular element of the device;
- (c) inserting the distal end of the tubular element with the endotracheal tube into the patient's mouth;
- (d) manipulating the control means to curve the curvable portion enough so that the distal end of the tubular element can be safely advanced in the throat of the patient;
- (e) advancing the distal end of the tubular element to place the endotracheal tube into the trachea of the patient;
- and
- (f) removing the tubular element from the patient's mouth and allowing the curvable portion to return to the less curved conformation.
8 more elements
A method of inserting an endotracheal tube into the trachea of a patient comprising:
- (a) providing a device comprising a gripping means;
- a tubular element having a proximal end attached to the gripping means and a distal end;
- a continuous curvable portion of the tubular element disposed adjacent to the distal end of the tubular element, having cuts in the tubular element adapted to curve the curvable portion;
- a control means operable from the gripping means;
- and a means for moving the curvable portion transmitting force applied by the user on the control means to curve the curvable portion, wherein when the control portion is manipulated by the user, the curvable portion curves into a generally curved configuration in a controlled manner from a straight configuration and returns to a less curved conformation when the control means is released and having a shape memory to go back to the less curved conformation after the control means is released;
- (b) sliding the endotracheal tube over the tubular element of the device;
- (c) inserting the distal end of the tubular element with the endotracheal tube into the patient's mouth;
- (d) viewing the image of the throat of the patient on the display means;
- (e) manipulating the control means to curve the curvable portion enough so that the distal end of the tubular element can be safely advanced in the throat of the patient;
- (f) advancing the distal end of the tubular element to place the endotracheal tube into the trachea of the patient;
- and
- (g) removing the tubular element from the patient's mouth thereby allowing the curvable portion to form the straight configuration.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.