Tracheal intubation monitoring apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A monitoring apparatus comprising:
- a tube and means for determining a position of the tube in a patient having;
signal generator means for generating a plurality of signals, each signal having a predetermined frequency, wherein said signal generator means is operatively connected to said tube so that said plurality of signals are propagated into said tube;
signal amplitude determining means for individually determining a signal amplitude for each of said plurality of signals;
resonant frequency determining means responsive to said signal amplitude determining means for determining a resonant frequency of said tube;
first memory means for storing the determined resonant frequency; and
second memory means for storing a signal amplitude associated with said resonant frequency.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for monitoring and indicating whether a tracheal tube is located in the trachea or esophagus during an endotracheal intubation of a human or animal is disclosed. In a calibration mode, the resonant frequency of the tube is determined by generating a signal at a plurality of frequencies and finding the signal which propagates with the greatest amplitude. This :indicates the resonant frequency. When the tube is inserted into the patient, the resonant frequency of the system shifts, thus the amplitude of the signal changes. Based on known characteristics of the trachea and esophagus, the amount of change is dictated by whether the tube has been inserted into the trachea or esophagus. Alternatively, the device can continually determine the resonant frequency and use this to monitor the level of liquid in a tank.
97 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A monitoring apparatus comprising:
- a tube and means for determining a position of the tube in a patient having;
signal generator means for generating a plurality of signals, each signal having a predetermined frequency, wherein said signal generator means is operatively connected to said tube so that said plurality of signals are propagated into said tube; signal amplitude determining means for individually determining a signal amplitude for each of said plurality of signals; resonant frequency determining means responsive to said signal amplitude determining means for determining a resonant frequency of said tube; first memory means for storing the determined resonant frequency; and second memory means for storing a signal amplitude associated with said resonant frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a tube and means for determining a position of the tube in a patient having;
Specification