Method and apparatus for capnography-guided intubation
First Claim
1. A system for determining the location of a intubation device in a patient, the system comprising:
- a vacuum system for withdrawing gas from a patient through an intubation device, a sensing system for sensing the level of carbon dioxide in the withdrawn gas by the vacuum system and to provide a signal indicative of the level of carbon dioxide, an auxiliary sensor adapted to convert the signal from the sensing system into a qualitative sensory signal selected from the group consisting of an omnidirectional light signal, a vibratory signal or an audio signal indicative of the level of carbon dioxide in the gas withdrawn by the vacuum system.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for qualitative sensory signal, capnography-guided intubation is provided. A qualitative sensory signal, such as an audible signal, is generated during intubation of a patient to provide an audible indication of carbon dioxide levels, so as to facilitate proper placement of an intubation tube. The frequency of the audible signal corresponds to measured carbon dioxide levels, thereby providing a simple, easy-to-interpret, audible indication of the current position of an endotracheal tube during intubation, as well as confirmation of proper placement of the tube. Alternatively, the qualitative sensor signal may be an omni-directional visual signal or a palpable vibratory signal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for determining the location of a intubation device in a patient, the system comprising:
- a vacuum system for withdrawing gas from a patient through an intubation device, a sensing system for sensing the level of carbon dioxide in the withdrawn gas by the vacuum system and to provide a signal indicative of the level of carbon dioxide, an auxiliary sensor adapted to convert the signal from the sensing system into a qualitative sensory signal selected from the group consisting of an omnidirectional light signal, a vibratory signal or an audio signal indicative of the level of carbon dioxide in the gas withdrawn by the vacuum system.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- 6. A handheld device for determining the intubation of a patient comprising an inlet and an outlet, and a duct communicating between the inlet and the outlet, a vacuum pump connected to the duct for drawing gas through the duct, a carbon dioxide sensor located proximate to the duct for monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in the gas passing through the duct and for providing a signal indicative of that sensed level of carbon dioxide.
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11. A system for determining the location of an intubation device within a patient comprising;
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an intubation device having a distal end and a proximal end; a system for withdrawing gas through the intubation device from a location within the patient proximate to the distal end of the intubation device, a sensing system for sensing the level of carbon dioxide in the gas passing through the intubation device and providing a signal indicative of the level of the sensed carbon dioxide; an auxiliary sensor receiving the signal from the sensing system and converting that signal into a qualitative sensory signal selected from the group consisting of an omnidirectional light signal, a vibratory signal or an audio signal indicative of the level of carbon dioxide in the gas withdrawn by the vacuum system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of determining the location of an intubation device in a patient comprising the steps of;
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(a) introducing an intubation device having a distal end and a proximal end into a patient, (b) removing a sample of gas from the patient at a location proximate to the distal end of the intubation device; (c) determining the carbon dioxide content of the sample of gas removed from the patient; and (d) creating a qualitative sensory signal selected from the group consisting of an omnidirectional light signal, a vibratory signal or an audio signal indicative of the level of carbon dioxide determined in step (c). - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification