U.S. patent application number 16/792565 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-11 for video laryngoscope systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is Truphatek International Ltd.. Invention is credited to Gabriel Dan, David Rosenblatt.
Application Number | 20200178780 16/792565 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51897843 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200178780 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dan; Gabriel ; et
al. |
June 11, 2020 |
Video Laryngoscope Systems
Abstract
Video laryngoscope system including a video laryngoscope having
a laryngoscope handle and a laryngoscope blade. The video
laryngoscope system includes an image capture module with at least
two stationary imaging units spaced apart along the laryngoscope
blade for providing real-time video streams of a patient's airway
passage during an intubation and a controller for enabling a
clinician performing the intubation to select one or more of the
real-time video streams for real-time display on a display screen
to assist intubation of a patient.
Inventors: |
Dan; Gabriel; (Tel Aviv,
IL) ; Rosenblatt; David; (Beer Sheva, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Truphatek International Ltd. |
Netanya |
|
IL |
|
|
Family ID: |
51897843 |
Appl. No.: |
16/792565 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14891137 |
Nov 13, 2015 |
10588498 |
|
|
PCT/IL2014/050426 |
May 15, 2014 |
|
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16792565 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 1/05 20130101; A61B
1/00052 20130101; A61B 1/045 20130101; A61B 1/00039 20130101; A61B
1/051 20130101; A61M 16/0488 20130101; A61B 1/0005 20130101; A61B
1/267 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 1/05 20060101
A61B001/05; A61B 1/045 20060101 A61B001/045; A61B 1/00 20060101
A61B001/00; A61B 1/267 20060101 A61B001/267; A61M 16/04 20060101
A61M016/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 16, 2013 |
IL |
226379 |
Claims
1. A method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient, the
method comprising: providing a video laryngoscope system comprising
a video laryngoscope having a laryngoscope handle, a laryngoscope
blade extending from the laryngoscope handle and terminating at a
distal laryngoscope blade tip, and an image capture module
including a pair of stationary imaging units, each stationary
imagining unit of the pair of stationary imaging units being
deployed along the laryngoscope blade at increasing lengths from
the distal laryngoscope blade tip; independently and simultaneously
generating a real-time video stream from each stationary imaging
unit of the patient's airway passage during the intubation, each
real-time video stream being different; simultaneously displaying
on a display screen the different real-time video streams captured
by each respective imaging unit of the pair of stationary imaging
units; selecting, via a controller, one or more of the real-time
video streams to view on the display screen during the intubation;
and displaying the selected one or more real-time video streams on
the display screen during the intubation.
2. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 1, wherein the stationary imaging units are
longitudinally spaced apart and mounted on the laryngoscope
blade.
3. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 2, wherein the pair of imaging units include a
leading imaging unit proximate the distal laryngoscope blade tip,
and a trailing imagining unit behind the leading imaging unit
relative to the distal laryngoscope blade tip.
4. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 3, wherein said leading imaging unit and said
trailing imaging unit have a non-overlapping Field of View (FOV)
arrangement.
5. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 3, wherein said leading imaging unit and said
trailing imaging unit have an at least partially overlapping Field
of View (FOV) arrangement.
6. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 3, wherein said leading imaging unit and said
trailing imaging unit have a fully overlapping Field of View (FOV)
arrangement.
7. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 1, wherein the laryngoscope blade has an
underside blade surface for deploying against the patient's tongue
on insertion of the laryngoscope blade into the patient's mouth,
and an upperside blade surface opposite the underside blade
surface.
8. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 7, wherein the upperside blade surface is
configured to support an endotracheal tube during intubation.
9. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 8, wherein the upperside blade surface includes
a major blade surface parallel and opposite the underside blade
surface, an upright blade surface generally perpendicular to the
major blade surface, and an uppermost blade surface generally
parallel to the major blade surface.
10. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 9, wherein the pair of stationary imagining
units are deployed on the upright blade surface.
11. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 9, wherein the pair of stationary imagining
units are deployed on the uppermost blade surface.
12. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 1, further comprising communicating, via the
video laryngoscope system, with a healthcare facility computer
system including a healthcare facility database to store files.
13. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 12, further comprising generating, via the
laryngoscope system, patient intubation files.
14. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 13, wherein the video laryngoscope system
communicates with the healthcare facility computer system via a
wired communication.
15. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 13, wherein the video laryngoscope system
communicates with the healthcare facility computer system via a
wireless communication.
16. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 1, further comprising a video stylet in wireless
communication with the controller.
17. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 1, wherein the laryngoscope handle includes a
power source.
18. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 1, wherein the display screen is onboard the
laryngoscope handle.
19. The method for assisting tracheal intubation of a patient
according to claim 1, wherein the display screen is remote from the
video laryngoscope.
20. A video laryngoscope system for assisting tracheal intubation
of a patient, the video laryngoscope system comprising: a video
laryngoscope including a laryngoscope handle, a laryngoscope blade
transversely extending from said laryngoscope handle and having a
distal laryngoscope blade tip remote from said laryngoscope handle,
and an image capture module having a leading imaging unit proximate
said distal laryngoscope blade tip and a trailing imaging unit
behind said leading imaging unit relative to said distal
laryngoscope blade tip, the leading imaging unit and the trailing
imaging unit being spaced apart along said laryngoscope blade
relative to said distal laryngoscope blade tip, the leading imaging
unit and the trailing imaging unit configured to generate different
real-time video streams during a manipulation of said laryngoscope
blade from an initial blade insertion into the patient's airway
passage to a final blade position; and a controller configured to
enable a clinician performing an intubation to select a real-time
video stream during the intubation for real-time display on a
display screen to assist intubation of the patient.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/891,137, filed on Nov. 13, 2015, which is a
National Stage Application of International Application No.
PCT/IL2014/050426, filed on May 15, 2014, which claims priority to
foreign Israel Patent Application No. IL 226379, filed on May 16,
2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure is directed toward video laryngoscope
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Video laryngoscopy for assisting tracheal intubation is a
commonplace medical procedure alongside traditional direct view
laryngoscopy and indirect view laryngoscopy using optical view
tubes. Tracheal intubation can be further facilitated by the use of
a video stylet in conjunction with a video laryngoscope.
[0004] Video laryngoscopy includes a handheld video laryngoscope
and a display screen for instantaneously displaying an anatomically
defined sequence of progressively imaged physiological structures
during the manipulation of a laryngoscope blade from an initial
blade insertion into a patient's mouth to a final blade position
for assisting tracheal intubation. The anatomically defined
sequence of progressively imaged physiological structures includes
the following intubation significant landmarks: (1) the tongue and
uvula, (2) the epiglottis, (3) the posterior cartilages and
interarytenoid notch, (4) the glottic opening, and (5) the vocal
cords.
[0005] Challenges often arise to hinder recognition of
progressively imaged physiological structures. For example,
recognition of the epiglottis may be hindered owing to its visual
similarity to the mucosa of the posterior pharynx, and accumulation
of blood, secretions, and/or vomitus in the posterior pharynx.
Improper identification of certain landmarks can lead to errors in
intubations. For example, if the esophagus and glottic opening are
confused, esophageal, rather than tracheal, intubation may
occur.
[0006] US Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0190929 to
Patel et al. (hereinafter the Patel disclosure) discloses a
laryngoscope including a handle, a blade holding element, a
detachable blade, means for viewing the laryngeal inlet of a
patient and means for adjusting the viewing field. The Patel
disclosure discloses the laryngoscope is configured to be usable
with at least two different detachable blades including inter alia
straight blades, curved blades, and so-called difficult intubation
blades.
[0007] Patel paragraph [0013] discloses a blade holding element
with a multi-camera system including two adjacent fixed cameras
directed to two different viewing fields and intended to be used
with different blades. Patel paragraph [0013] also discloses means
for switching from one camera to the other so that a clinician may
select to use the first camera for when the laryngoscope is fitted
with a standard blade and the second camera when a difficult
intubation blade is used.
[0008] Patel paragraph [0014] discloses a blade holding element
with a single movable or tiltable camera and mechanical or
electronic means for remotely changing the position of the camera
for positioning in a desired position to provide a clear,
non-distorted view of a patient's laryngeal inlet.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,344 to Wood, Sr. et al, (hereinafter the
Wood disclosure) discloses a video laryngoscope having an image
sensor assembly mounted thereon for providing video imaging of a
patient's airway passage. The Wood disclosure discloses a fixed
position image sensor and an image sensor assembly slidably mounted
on a track formed on a curved section of a laryngoscope body so
that sliding of the image sensor assembly along the track adjusts
the distance of the assembly from a target and the orientation
angle of the image sensor assembly.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 8,398,545 to Chen et al. (hereinafter the Chen
disclosure) discloses a video laryngoscope with a movable image
capturing unit similar to the Wood disclosure. The Chen disclosure
discloses a laryngoscope with a side mounted display and also a
laryngoscope with an external display for reducing the volume and
size of the laryngoscope.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 8,652,033 to Berci et al. (hereinafter the
Berci disclosure) discloses a video intubation system that provides
multiple streams to be simultaneously presented to a user. A video
laryngoscope provides a first image stream and a video stylet
provides a second image stream. The two image streams may be
presented to the user on two different side-by-side monitors or a
single monitor provided with a split screen. The video intubation
system presents a user with a view of the upper portion of a
patient's anatomy via the laryngoscope as well as being presented
with a view in front of the video stylet as the stylet is advanced
through the trachea.
[0012] US Patent Application Publication No. US 2011/0263935 to Qiu
(hereinafter the Qui disclosure) discloses an intubation system for
intubations based on an airway pattern indicating a trachea
opening. The airway pattern is determined from analysis of airway
data detected by a trachea identifying device disposed on a movable
guide stylet of the intubation system. Qui FIG. 4 shows a guide
stylet 46 with light sources 62, image capture devices 64a and 64b
on either side of a laser pointer 70, gas exchange detectors 66 and
control cable 68. Qiu para [0050] discloses the image capture
devices may be a video camera to continually capture images or a
still camera to capture still images. In another example, the image
capture devices may be a thermal camera or an infrared camera to
capture thermal images.
[0013] US Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0116156 to
Lederman (hereinafter the Lederman disclosure) discloses a medical
device includes a tube, at least one imaging sensor coupled to an
endoscope in the tube, and a monitor application to monitor
positioning of the tube in a medical patient by identifying
expected anatomical features in images provided by the at least one
sensor. The Lederman disclosure also discloses a method for
endotracheal intubation including receiving imaging frames from a
sensor located in an endotracheal tube inserted through a patient's
and processing the image frames to identify progression of
anatomical features consistent with a proper placement of the
endotracheal tube. In particular, the Lederman disclosure discloses
image processing to identify vocal cords, trachea, the esophagus,
carina, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention is directed toward video laryngoscope
systems including an image capture module with at least two
stationary imaging units longitudinally deployed along a
laryngoscope blade for generating a corresponding number of
different real-time video streams during manipulation of a
laryngoscope blade from an initial blade insertion into a patient's
mouth to a final blade position for assisting intubations of
patients. The present invention is based on the notion that a
clinician performing an intubation will be assisted by the ability
to select at least one real-time video stream from at least two
different real-time video streams at a series of continuous
locations of a laryngoscope blade along a patient's airway passage
to orient the location of a laryngoscope blade tip in the patient's
airway passage and recognize the aforesaid intubation significant
landmarks.
[0015] The video laryngoscope systems of the present invention
include a controller for controlling operation of the imaging
module including inter alia real-time video display during
intubation procedures, real-time video recording of intubation
procedures, and the like. The controller preferably includes user
controls which can be readily operated by a clinician performing an
intubation, for example, for selecting which one or more real time
video streams he wants to be view at a particular instance on a
display screen. Such user controls can be preferably provisioned on
a laryngoscope handle for finger/thumb operation during an
intubation. Alternatively, video laryngoscope systems of the
present invention can include touch display screens for touch
screen operation similar to a smartphone. Alternatively, one or
more real time video streams can be displayed on a display screen
in accordance with a default setup which can be overridden by a
clinician.
[0016] The video laryngoscope systems of the present invention can
include image processing software for processing the captured real
time video streams prior to their display as disclosed in inter
alia the aforementioned Lederman disclosure, the aforementioned Qui
disclosure, and the like. Such processing includes inter alia
improving contour definition, improving boundary definition,
automatic recognition of intubation significant landmarks, and the
like.
[0017] The video laryngoscope systems of the present invention
preferably employ conventional imaging units. Such imaging units
preferably include an illumination source, for example, a LED, and
the like, for illuminating a patient's airway passage during
intubation. Such imaging units include a digital imaging sensor,
for example, a CCD, a CMOS chip, and the like. The laryngoscope
blades can be provisioned with anti-fogging arrangements for
preventing fogging of the digital imaging sensors. One or more of
the digital imaging sensors can be tiltable similar to the
aforementioned Patel disclosure. Also, the video laryngoscope
systems of the present invention can include mechanical or
electronic means for remotely changing the tilt of a tiltable
digital imaging sensor for positioning in a desired position.
[0018] The video laryngoscope systems of the present invention can
include a laryngoscope mounted display screen similar to the
aforementioned Chen disclosure or an external display screen
similar to the aforementioned Berci disclosure. Laryngoscope
mounted display screens can be mounted to enable traditional direct
view laryngoscopy as well as video laryngoscopy. Alternatively,
laryngoscope mounted display screens can be mounted to enable video
laryngoscopy only. The display screens can display side-by-side
image streams similar to aforementioned Berci disclosure.
[0019] Also, as similar to the aforementioned Berci disclosure, the
video laryngoscope systems of the present invention can also be
used with a video stylet for providing a stylet video stream for
display on the display monitor. The video stylets can be re-usable
items or disposable single use items. The clinician can select to
display a real time video stream from a video stylet on the display
screen either by itself or together with a real time video stream
from one of the blade mounted imaging units.
[0020] The present invention can be readily applied to the
differing approaches regarding re-usable components and disposable
single use components as exemplified in commercially available
video laryngoscope systems. Such commercially available video
laryngoscope systems include inter alia the C-MAC by Karl Storz
Endo vision, Inc., Charlton, Mass., USA, the Glidescope by
Verathon, and the like. In some implementations, disposable single
use components include electronic sub-components. In other
implementations, disposable single use components are employed for
sterility purposes only and do not include electronic
sub-components. The present invention can also be readily applied
to disposable laryngoscope blades for detachable attachment to
laryngoscope handles. The disposable laryngoscope blades can be
made from metal or plastic. Suitable metal laryngoscope blades are
disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,304 to Pecherer.
Suitable plastic laryngoscope blades are disclosed in commonly
assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,304 to Shucman et al.
[0021] The video laryngoscope systems of the present invention can
be implemented with a wide range of conventional laryngoscope blade
shapes and sizes for assisting in regular intubation and so-called
difficult intubations. The laryngoscope blade shapes include inter
alia Miller blades, Macintosh blades, Foregger-Magill blades, and
the like. The laryngoscope blades can be optionally provided with a
guide channel for guiding an endotracheal tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] In order to understand the invention and to see how it can
be carried out in practice, preferred embodiments will now be
described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which similar parts are likewise
numbered, and in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a combined pictorial view and block diagram of a
video laryngoscope system for use with an endotracheal tube for
intubation of a patient;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a laryngoscope blade including
a daisy chain of four imaging units of an image capture module of a
video laryngoscope;
[0025] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the daisy chain of the image
capture module;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing three Field Of View
(FOV) arrangements of the image capture module;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of a laryngoscope handle
including finger/thumb operated controls; and
[0028] FIGS. 6A to 6C show the use of the video laryngoscope system
for assisting an intubation of a patient.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0029] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a video laryngoscope system 100 for use
with an endotracheal tube 200 and a video stylet 300 for assisting
tracheal intubations of patients. The video laryngoscope system 100
is preferably in communication with a healthcare facility computer
system 400 including a healthcare facility database 401 for storing
computer files 402. The video laryngoscope system 100 can generate
patient intubation files compatible with standard Electronic
Medical Record (EMR) programs. The video laryngoscope system 100
can be in wired or wireless communication with the healthcare
facility computer system 400.
[0030] The video laryngoscope system 100 includes a handheld video
laryngoscope 101 having a laryngoscope handle 102 and a
laryngoscope blade 103 transversely extending from the laryngoscope
handle 102 and terminating at a distal laryngoscope blade tip 104.
The laryngoscope handle 102 includes a power source 106 preferably
in the form of a rechargeable battery and an onboard display screen
107. The laryngoscope blade 103 has an underside blade surface 108
for deploying against a patient's tongue on insertion of the
laryngoscope blade 103 into his mouth and an upperside blade
surface 109 opposite the underside blade surface 108.
[0031] The video laryngoscope 101 includes an image capture module
111 including stationary imaging units 112 deployed along the
laryngoscope blade 103 at increasing lengths from the distal
laryngoscope blade tip 104. The imaging units 112 are each capable
of independently and simultaneously generating a real-time video
stream of a patient's airway passage during an intubation for
selective display on the display screen 107.
[0032] The video laryngoscope system 100 includes a controller 113
for controlling the operation of the image capture module 111
including inter alia real-time video display during intubation
procedures, real-time video recording of intubation procedures, and
the like. The controller 113 can also control the operation of the
video stylet 300. The controller 113 is preferably in wireless
communication with the video stylet 300.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows the upperside blade surface 109 has a stepped
configuration for forming an elongated guide channel 114 for
supporting an endotracheal tube 200 during an intubation. The
upperside blade surface 109 includes a major blade surface 116
parallel and opposite the underside blade surface 108, an upright
blade surface 117 generally perpendicular to the major blade
surface 116 and an uppermost blade surface 118 generally parallel
to the major blade surface 116 and tapering thereto wards.
[0034] The image capture module 111 preferably includes a so-called
imaging unit daisy chain 119 of a series of at least two
longitudinally spaced apart rigidly mounted imaging units 112 and
in this case four imaging units 112 stationary mounted on the
laryngoscope blade 103. The imaging unit daisy chain 119 is
preferably deployed on the upright blade surface 117.
Alternatively, it can be deployed on the uppermost blade surface
118 as shown in dashed lines. The imaging unit daisy chain 119 can
be permanently or detachably mounted on the laryngoscope blade
103.
[0035] FIG. 2 also shows a display screen 107 remote from the video
laryngoscope 101 and simultaneously displaying two different
real-time video streams captured by two different imaging units
112.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows each imaging unit 112 includes one or more
illumination sources 121 and a digital imaging sensor 122. The
digital imaging sensors 122 include inter alia a camera and one or
more lenses. An exemplary wafer level CMOS camera is the 1.3M pixel
camera cube from Kushan Q Technology Ltd which has a maximum
diagonal FOV of 66.degree.. The imaging units 122 can have the same
magnification and Field of View (FOV). Alternatively, the imaging
units 122 can have different magnifications and FOVs.
[0037] The image capture module 111 includes at least a pair of
imaging units 112 having a leading imaging unit 123 proximate the
distal laryngoscope blade tip 104 and a trailing imaging unit 124
behind the leading imaging unit 123 relative to the distal
laryngoscope blade tip 104. The length denoted L the trailing
imaging unit 124 is behind the leading imaging unit 123 relative to
the distal laryngoscope blade tip 104 depends on blade size and is
at least 1 cm. In view of their longitudinal spaced apart
configuration and the imaging units 123 and 124 can also have
different magnifications and therefore different FOVs, FIG. 4 shows
three exemplary FOV arrangements as follows: First, the imaging
units 123 and 124 have a non-overlapping FOV arrangement 126.
Second, the imaging units 123 and 124 have a partially overlapping
FOV arrangement 127. And third, the imaging units 123 and 124 have
a fully overlapping FOV arrangement 128 with one FOV within the
other FOV.
[0038] Based on a particular implemented FOV arrangement and taking
into account the imaging units 123 and 124 can be at different
distances from the internal structures of a patient's airway
passage that they are imaging at a particular location of the
laryngoscope blade 103 therealong during an intubation, the leading
imaging unit 123 and the trailing imaging unit 124 image different
sized areas of different locations of a patient's airway passage at
a particular location of the laryngoscope blade 103.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows the controller 113 preferably includes
finger/thumb operated controls 129 on the video laryngoscope 101
for enabling a clinician performing an intubation to readily
operate the controller 113 to select which one or more real-time
video streams he wants to view on the display screen 107 during the
intubation. The finger/thumb operated controls 129 can include
inter alia push buttons, rotatable thumbscrews, and the like. Also,
the display screen 107 can be a touchscreen for touchscreen
operation. A clinician can also select to display the real time
video stream from the video stylet 300 on the display screen 107. A
clinician typically selects to display the real time video stream
from the video stylet 300 after the laryngoscope blade 103 is in
its final blade position and the clinician has introduced the
endotracheal tube 200 along the guide channel 114 thereby
obstructing the blade mounted imaging units 112.
[0040] The use of a video laryngoscope system 100 with a leading
imaging unit 123 and a trailing imaging unit 124 is now described
with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C.
[0041] FIG. 6A shows that on initial blade insertion into a
patient's mouth, the leading imaging unit 123 obtains a close-up
view of the vallecula region of a patient while the trailing
imaging unit 124 obtains a view of the patient's uvula and
posterior pharynx.
[0042] FIG. 6B shows that as the video laryngoscope 101 is advanced
down the patient's airway passage, the views obtained by the
imaging units change. FIG. 4B shows that as laryngoscope handle 102
is tilted upward, thereby advancing the laryngoscope blade 103, the
leading imaging unit 123 is positioned to obtain a close up view of
a patient's vocal cords while the trailing imaging unit 124 is
positioned to obtain a view of his interarytrnoid notch.
[0043] FIG. 6C shows that as the laryngoscope handle 102 is further
tilted upward, thereby further advancing the laryngoscope blade
103, the leading imaging unit 123 may be advanced so as to obtain a
closer view of vocal cords of the patient, while the trailing
imaging unit 124 may be positioned so as to maintain a view of the
interarytrnoid notch and the esophagus thereby increasing the
certainty of correct endotracheal tube placement.
[0044] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
variations, modifications, and other applications of the invention
can be made within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *