U.S. patent application number 10/099381 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for endotracheal intubation device (ii).
Invention is credited to Simon, James S., Simon, Robert A..
Application Number | 20020162557 10/099381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23452115 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020162557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simon, James S. ; et
al. |
November 7, 2002 |
Endotracheal intubation device (II)
Abstract
The present invention relates to an endotracheal intubation
device that will allow visualization of the airway of a patient
during intubation simultaneous with suctioning ability to remove
debris in the airway. The endotracheal intubation device includes a
light source disposed to shine proximal to the distal end of an
endotracheal tube and means for connection to a suction source. The
light source may be built into the endotracheal tube or may consist
of a lighted sleeve encasing a suction trocar. The light source may
be disposed to shine axially or radially from the proximal end to
the distal end of an endotracheal tube and may be fiberoptic or
chemiluminescent in nature. The shape of the endotracheal tube may
be adjusted either by use of a malleable suction trocar made out of
a malleable material such as aluminum or by inclusion of a
malleable wire within the tube.
Inventors: |
Simon, James S.; (Tiburon,
CA) ; Simon, Robert A.; (Tiburon, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
E. Thomas Wheelock
Morrison & Foerster LLP
755 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto
CA
94304-1018
US
|
Family ID: |
23452115 |
Appl. No.: |
10/099381 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10099381 |
Mar 12, 2002 |
|
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PCT/US01/01856 |
Jan 19, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/207.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2090/306 20160201;
A61B 1/07 20130101; A61B 1/0676 20130101; A61B 1/267 20130101; A61M
16/0434 20130101; A61M 16/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/207.14 |
International
Class: |
A61M 016/00 |
Claims
We claim as our invention:
1. An endotracheal intubation device comprising: a. an endotracheal
tube having an endotracheal tube wall with a distal end; and b. a
chemiluminescent light source disposed to shine light at least
distally of the distal end of the endotracheal tube.
2. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 1 further comprising
a suction tube.
3. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 2 further comprising
a suction source.
4. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 1 further comprising
a suction trocar.
5. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 4 further wherein
said suction trocar comprises a malleable material.
6. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 1 wherein said
chemiluminescent material comprises a gel, liquid, or solid.
7. An endotracheal intubation device comprising: a. an endotracheal
tube having an endotracheal tube wall with a distal end; b. a
chemiluminescent light source; and c. optical fibers implanted in
the endotracheal tube wall adapted and positioned to shine light
distally of the distal end of the endotracheal tube.
8. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 7 further comprising
a suction tube.
9. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 8 further comprising
a suction source.
10. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 7 further
comprising a suction trocar.
11. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 10 further wherein
said suction trocar comprises a malleable material.
12. The endotracheal intubation device of claim 7 wherein said
chemiluminescent material comprises a gel, liquid, or solid.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part under 35 USC 120 of PCT
application PCT/US01/01856, filed Jan. 19, 2001, the entirety of
which is incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to medical instruments generally and
more particularly to an endotracheal intubation device having a
light source for illumination during intubation and a means for
attaching the device to a suction source.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] Endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure that is used
to establish a secure direct path for air under emergency
resuscitation conditions or during induction of general
anesthesia.
[0004] A clear airway is often critical for resuscitation efforts.
An endotracheal tube may be used by medical personnel to establish
an airway during resuscitation. This is necessary because the
airway can become obstructed, either by a foreign body or by fluid,
blood, or tissues such as the patient's tongue. Additionally, a
patient in a major arrest state is unable to move air and as a
result death rapidly ensues in the absence of introduced oxygen
through the airway.
[0005] During intubation, an endotracheal tube must be passed
through the vocal cords. Often, lighting is inadequate and foreign
bodies, fluids, blood, loose dentures, or a flaccid tongue may
compromise visualization of the vocal cords.
[0006] Often during an intubation procedure, a practitioner holds a
lighted endotracheal blade in one hand, to elevate the palate and
improve visualization, and a suction tube in the other hand, to
remove loose debris that may be blocking visualization. However, in
order to introduce the endotracheal tube, the suction must be put
aside, thereby compromising visualization.
[0007] The present invention is designed to overcome the
aforementioned visualization difficulties during intubation. The
present invention is an endotracheal intubation device containing a
light source and having simultaneous suctioning ability, enabling a
practitioner to apply suction to a patient's airway while at the
same time visualizing the airway for insertion of the endotracheal
tube. The light source is designed to shine proximal of the distal
end of the endotracheal tube. The invention includes an
endotracheal tube with a light source that is either fiberoptic or
chemiluminescent in nature. One variation includes a suction trocar
inside the endotracheal tube in which the trocar is encased in a
light-emitting sleeve. The light source for the sleeve may be
either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature and the trocar may
be made of a malleable material. One example of such a malleable
material is aluminum. Another embodiment includes an endotracheal
tube with a light source built in. The light source may be
fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature and may shine either
axially or radially from the proximal end toward the distal end of
the endotracheal tube. The lighted endotracheal tube may include a
connection to a suction source and a malleable wire for adjustment
of the shape of the tube under emergency conditions such as
cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention is an endotracheal intubation device that will
allow rapid intubation of a patient by allowing an intubator to
visualize the patient's airway while at the same time suctioning
out debris that could compromise visualization.
[0009] Generally, the inventive endotracheal intubation device
contains both a suction source and a light source. The light source
is placed so that it shines proximal to the distal end of the
endotracheal tube. The light source may be either fiberoptic or
chemiluminescent in nature. It may be disposed to shine either
axially or radially from the proximal end of the endotracheal tube
towards its distal end.
[0010] The endotracheal intubation device may include a suction
trocar encased in a lighted sleeve within an endotracheal tube,
enabling an intubator to simultaneously visualize a patient's
airway and suction out debris through the suction trocar. The light
source for the lighted sleeve may be either fiberoptic or
chemiluminescent in nature.
[0011] The endotracheal intubation device typically contains a
suction trocar made out of a malleable material and encased in a
lighted sleeve within an endotracheal tube, enabling an intubator
to simultaneously visualize a patient's airway and suction out
debris through the suction trocar. By bending the malleable trocar,
an intubator may change the shape of the endotracheal tube. An
example of a malleable material that may be used for construction
of the trocar is aluminum.
[0012] The endotracheal intubation device may have the light source
built into the endotracheal tube and disposed to shine light
proximal to the distal end of an endotracheal tube. The light
source of this invention may be either fiberoptic or
chemiluminescent in nature and the light may be disposed to shine
either axially or radially from the proximal end of the
endotracheal tube towards its distal end. The invention may further
include means for connection of the endotracheal tube to a suction
source.
[0013] Finally, the inventive endotracheal intubation device
preferably includes a ring of light-emitting material at the
proximal end of an endotracheal tube as a light source. The light
source may be either fiberoptic or chemiluminescent in nature. The
invention may further include connection of the endotracheal tube
to a suction source and may also further include a malleable wire
within the endotracheal tube for adjusting the shape of the
tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endotracheal intubation
device in accordance with the present invention having a suction
trocar and a lighted sleeve for the suction trocar.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an endotracheal intubation
device in accordance with the present invention having a light
source built into the endotracheal tube and a separate connection
to a suction source.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an endotracheal intubation
device in accordance with the present invention having a chamber
for inclusion of a chemiluminescent liquid, gel, or solid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is
shown in FIG. 1 an endotracheal intubation device 100 in accordance
with the present invention. The invention includes an endotracheal
tube 105 having a proximal end 130 and a distal end 135. The
endotracheal tube includes an air injection tube 115 and an
inflatable cuff 110. The invention further includes a suction
trocar 125 which fits within a lighted sleeve 120. The suction
trocar may be connected to a suction source (not shown). A
preferred light source for the trocar sleeve is fiberoptic. Another
preferred light source for the trocar sleeve is chemiluminescent.
The suction trocar 125 may be made of a malleable material. A
preferred malleable material for the suction trocar is aluminum,
although polymeric materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene
may also be used.
[0018] In FIG. 2 is shown another variation of an endotracheal
intubation device 150 in accordance with the present invention. The
invention includes an endotracheal tube 155 having a proximal end
200 and a distal end 205. The endotracheal tube includes an air
injection tube 165 and an inflatable cuff 160. The invention
further includes a light source 170 built into the endotracheal
tube and a means for connecting the tube to a suction source 185.
Flexible tubing 190 may be used to connect the endotracheal tube to
a suction motor (not shown). The light source is disposed to shine
axially or radially from the proximal end 200 to the distal end 205
of the endotracheal tube. A preferred shape for the light source is
a ring of light emitting material. A preferred light source is
fiberoptic. A fiberoptic power cord 175 may be used to connect the
tube to a fiberoptic power source (not shown). Another preferred
light source is chemiluminescent. The invention may further include
a malleable wire 180 for adjusting the shape of the endotracheal
tube.
[0019] The light emanating from the chemiluminescent light source
may be carried from that source by optical fibers or fiberoptics
implanted in the wall of the endotracheal tube and extending
towards the distal end of the tube. The termination of the optical
fibers may be adapted to shine light distally of the endotracheal
tube.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows another variation 300 of the invention. This
variation includes a chamber 302 for inclusion of a
chemiluminescent liquid, gel, or solid. A preferred variation is
the inclusion of an induced or catalyzed chemiluminescent material
such as that sold in Cyalurone "Lightsticks." An example of a
chemiluminescent reaction is: 1
[0021] Modifications of the device described above that are
apparent to one of nary skill in the art are intended to be within
the scope of the claims that follow.
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