Endotracheal camera

• US 20050177024A1
• Filed: 02/10/2004
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Mackin
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Mackin
• Inventors: Mackin, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,297,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/120
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• 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 16/0434 Cuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3561 local, e.g. within room or hospital

Abstract

A low cost camera and radio frequency transmitter are coupled to an endotracheal tube to obtain an image in real time of tissue at the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The image recorded by the camera is transmitted to a low cost radio frequency receiver nearby and conveyed to a video monitor to display the image. The use of a wireless transmission system avoids the presence of wires and cords that otherwise might become entangled and cause the endotracheal tube to be inadvertently repositioned or pulled out of the patient.

Claims

1. Apparatus for displaying an image of tissue at the distal end of an endotracheal tube, said apparatus comprising in combination:

a) a source of light disposed at the distal end of said endotracheal tube for illuminating the tissue to be imaged;

b) a lens for receiving the image of the tissue;

c) a low cost camera for recording the image and including a fiber optic bundle interconnecting said lens with said camera to convey the image to said camera;

d) a low cost radio frequency transmitter for receiving the image from said camera and for transmitting the image;

e) a low cost radio frequency receiver for receiving the image; and

f) a video monitor for displaying the image received by said receiver.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including batteries for providing power to said camera and to said transmitter.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said source of light comprises at least one light emitting diode and a fiber optic bundle for transmitting light to an illumination port disposed at the distal end of said endotracheal tube.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said camera, said transmitter and said batteries are a modular unit.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said camera, said transmitter and said batteries are a modular unit.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the terminal ends of said fiber optic bundles from said lens and from said illumination port are secured to a first plug and including a second plug coupled with said modular unit for disengageably engaging said first plug.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said modular unit is portable.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said source of light comprises at least one light emitting diode and a fiber optic bundle for transmitting light to an illumination port disposed at the distal end of said endotracheal tube.

9. A method for displaying an image of tissue at the distal end of an endotracheal tube, said method comprising the steps of:

a) illuminating the tissue;

b) conveying an image of the illuminated tissue to a modular unit;

c) recording the image with a camera disposed in the modular unit;

d) transmitting the recorded image;

e) receiving the transmitted image; and

f) displaying the received image.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said step of transmitting comprises the step of transmitting with a radio frequency transmitter and said step of receiving comprises the step of receiving with a radio frequency receiver.

11. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said step of displaying comprises the step of displaying the image on a video monitor.

12. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said step of illuminating comprises the step of energizing at least one light emitting diode and including the step of conveying the light from the light emitting diode to an illumination port with a fiber optic bundle.

13. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said step of conveying comprises the step of conveying the image from a lens to the camera with a fiber optic bundle.

14. Apparatus for displaying an image of tissue at the distal end of an endotracheal tube, said apparatus comprising in combination:

a) a source of light for illuminating the tissue to be imaged;

b) a lens for receiving the image of the tissue;

c) a camera for recording the image and including a fiber optic bundle interconnecting said lens with said camera to convey the image to said camera;

d) a transmitter for receiving the image from said camera and for transmitting the image;

e) a receiver for receiving the transmitted image; and

a display for displaying the image received by said receiver.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 including batteries for providing power to said camera and to said transmitter.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said source of light comprises at least one light emitting diode and a fiber optic bundle for transmitting light to an illumination port disposed at the distal end of said endotracheal tube.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said camera, said transmitter and said batteries are a modular unit.

18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein the terminal ends of said fiber optic bundles from said lens and said illumination port are secured to a first plug and including a second plug coupled with said camera and said source of light for disengageably engaging said first plug.

19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18 including batteries for providing power to said camera and to said transmitter.

20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said modular unit is portable.