Self-navigating endotracheal tube

• US 20040039252A1
• Filed: 06/16/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kenneth Elmon Iii Koch
• Original Assignee: Kenneth Elmon Iii Koch
• Inventors: Koch, Kenneth Elmon III
• Application Number:
  US10/462,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20040039252A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/199
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0411 with means for differentiating between oesophageal and tracheal intubation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3306 Optical measuring means

Abstract

The Self-Navigating Endotracheal Tube is an endotracheal tube that utilizes a light source and light measuring device to determine its location relative to a patient'"'"'s trachea and esophagus. Using readings obtained via the light measurement device, a physician is capable of determining the proper insertion of the tube into a patient'"'"'s trachea when a visual verification is not possible, as in the case of patients with spinal trauma, as well as the intubation of premature infants. It is also capable of providing an indication of self-extubation.

Claims

1. An endotracheal tube that is capable of measuring the amount of light present at the end of the tube that is placed inside a patient, via any form of light measurement device located in or on the tube.

2. The endotracheal tube of claim 1, including a source of light that will illuminate the area immediately surrounding the end of the tube that is placed inside a patient and located in, on, or external to the tube.

3. The endotracheal tube of claim 2, where the end of the tube is transparent or translucent and allows light to pass through its walls, or sides.

4. The endotracheal tube of claim 3, containing a form of opaque barrier between the light measurement device of claim 1 and the light source of claim 2 that prevents light from being transmitted from the light source of claim 2 to the light measurement device of claim 1 unless the light passes outside of the tube and reenters via the transparent portion of the tube walls.

5. The endotracheal tube of claim 4, used with any device or circuit that will provide any form of audible, visual, or other indication of the status of the light measurement device of claim 1.