Malleable fiberoptic intubating stylet and method
First Claim
1. A fiberoptic intubating stylet instrument for oral fiberoptic endotracheal intubation comprising in combination:
- a generally cylindrical handle configured to fit into the hand of an operator and having a forward end, a rearward end, and a central longitudinal bore;
a fiberoptic bundle positioning means at the rearward end of said handle;
a tubular telescoping fiberoptic scope support arm on said handle having releasable mounting means at an outer end for releasably mounting a fiberoptic scope thereon;
an elongate curvilinear hollow tubular stylet having a rearward end secured to said handle, a forward tip end, and a longitudinal channel extending therethrough coextensive with said handle central bore;
a fiberoptic scope releasably mounted on said support arm mounting means and having viewing means connected at a rearward end and an elongate thin flexible fiberoptic bundle which transmits light and visual images extending forwardly therefrom and terminating in a tip end and having a midsection therebetween, said fiberoptic bundle passing slidably through said fiberoptic bundle positioning means, said handle central bore and said stylet longitudinal channel;
endotracheal tube attachment and positioning means movably mounted on said stylet configured to removably engage the rearward end of an endotracheal tube and releasably maintain the endotracheal tube in a surrounding condition on said stylet;
a flexible endotracheal tube having a rearward end removably engaged on said endotracheal tube attachment and positioning means, an interior diameter surrounding said stylet when engaged thereon, and a forward tip end;
said endotracheal tube attachment and positioning means being selectively movable on said stylet for adjustably positioning and maintaining said forward tip end of said endotracheal tube relative to said forward tip end of said stylet; and
said fiberoptic bundle positioning means being engaged with said fiberoptic bundle to allow said fiberoptic bundle to slide relative thereto when sufficient axial force is applied to said fiberoptic bundle for adjustably positioning and maintaining said tip end of said fiberoptic bundle relative to said forward tip ends of said stylet and said endotracheal tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A malleable fiberoptic intubating apparatus has an elongate arcuate thin-walled tubular stylet which removably carries an endotracheal tube around it and the fiberoptic bundle of a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope within it, a handle at the rearward end of the stylet, and a telescoping bronchoscope support arm that releasably receives and carries a bronchoscope and moves relative to the handle. An adjustable endotracheal tube positioning element engages the proximal end of the endotracheal tube and positions it on the stylet. An adjustable fiberoptic bundle positioning element engages the flexible fiberoptic bundle of the bronchoscope and positions it within the stylet. The instrument is placed in the mouth, the larynx is identified, and the instrument is advanced as a unit into the trachea. Then the fiberoptic bronchoscope and stylet are removed from the mouth, leaving the endotracheal tube in the proper part of the trachea.
244 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A fiberoptic intubating stylet instrument for oral fiberoptic endotracheal intubation comprising in combination:
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a generally cylindrical handle configured to fit into the hand of an operator and having a forward end, a rearward end, and a central longitudinal bore; a fiberoptic bundle positioning means at the rearward end of said handle; a tubular telescoping fiberoptic scope support arm on said handle having releasable mounting means at an outer end for releasably mounting a fiberoptic scope thereon; an elongate curvilinear hollow tubular stylet having a rearward end secured to said handle, a forward tip end, and a longitudinal channel extending therethrough coextensive with said handle central bore; a fiberoptic scope releasably mounted on said support arm mounting means and having viewing means connected at a rearward end and an elongate thin flexible fiberoptic bundle which transmits light and visual images extending forwardly therefrom and terminating in a tip end and having a midsection therebetween, said fiberoptic bundle passing slidably through said fiberoptic bundle positioning means, said handle central bore and said stylet longitudinal channel; endotracheal tube attachment and positioning means movably mounted on said stylet configured to removably engage the rearward end of an endotracheal tube and releasably maintain the endotracheal tube in a surrounding condition on said stylet; a flexible endotracheal tube having a rearward end removably engaged on said endotracheal tube attachment and positioning means, an interior diameter surrounding said stylet when engaged thereon, and a forward tip end; said endotracheal tube attachment and positioning means being selectively movable on said stylet for adjustably positioning and maintaining said forward tip end of said endotracheal tube relative to said forward tip end of said stylet; and said fiberoptic bundle positioning means being engaged with said fiberoptic bundle to allow said fiberoptic bundle to slide relative thereto when sufficient axial force is applied to said fiberoptic bundle for adjustably positioning and maintaining said tip end of said fiberoptic bundle relative to said forward tip ends of said stylet and said endotracheal tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fiberoptic intubating stylet instrument for oral fiberoptic endotracheal intubation comprising in combination:
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an elongate malleable stylet having a forward tip end, a rearward end, and a central longitudinal portion;
said stylet capable of being manually formed to pass through the mouth and into the larynx of a particular patient into which an endotracheal tube is to be placed;tube and bundle attachment and positioning means movably mounted on said stylet having an exterior configured to removably engage the rearward end of an endotracheal tube and releasably maintain the endotracheal tube in a surrounding condition on said stylet and an interior configured to receive and adjustably position a fiberoptic bundle; a flexible endotracheal tube having a rearward end removably engaged on said tube and bundle attachment and positioning means, an interior diameter surrounding said stylet when engaged thereon, and a forward tip end; said tube and bundle attachment and positioning means being selectively movable on said stylet for adjustably positioning and maintaining said forward tip end of said endotracheal tube relative to said forward tip end of said stylet; and a fiberoptic scope having viewing means connected at a rearward end and an elongate thin flexible fiberoptic bundle which transmits light and visual images extending forwardly therefrom and terminating in a tip end and having a midsection therebetween, said fiberoptic bundle passing slidably through said tube and bundle attachment and positioning means; and said tube and bundle attachment and positioning means being engaged with said fiberoptic bundle to allow said fiberoptic bundle to slide relative thereto when sufficient axial force is applied to said fiberoptic bundle for adjustably positioning and maintaining said tip end of said fiberoptic bundle relative to said forward tip ends of said stylet and said endotracheal tube. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A medical instrument for use in oral fiberoptic endotracheal intubation to releasably support an endotracheal tube and the fiberoptic bundle of a fiberoptic scope and facilitate insertion of both the endotracheal tube and fiberoptic bundle into the larynx of a patient, the instrument comprising:
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an elongate malleable stylet having a forward tip end, a rearward end, and a central longitudinal portion;
said stylet capable of being manually formed to pass through the mouth and into the larynx of a particular patient into which an endotracheal tube is to be placed;endotracheal tube attachment and positioning means movably mounted on said stylet configured to removably receive and engage the rearward end of an endotracheal tube of the type having an interior and exterior diameter, a rearward end, and a forward tip end, and releasably maintain the endotracheal tube in a surrounding condition on said stylet; said endotracheal tube attachment and positioning means being selectively movable on said stylet for adjustably positioning and maintaining said forward tip end of said endotracheal tube relative to said forward tip end of said stylet; and a fiberoptic bundle positioning means connected with said endotracheal tube attachment and positioning means configured to receive and adjustably position a fiberoptic bundle; a fiberoptic scope having viewing means connected at a rearward end and an elongate thin flexible fiberoptic bundle which transmits light and visual images extending forwardly therefrom and terminating in a tip end and having a midsection therebetween, said fiberoptic bundle passing slidably through said fiberoptic bundle positioning means; and said fiberoptic bundle positioning means being engaged with said fiberoptic bundle to allow said fiberoptic bundle to slide relative thereto when sufficient axial force is applied to said fiberoptic bundle for adjustably positioning and maintaining said tip end of said fiberoptic bundle relative to said forward tip ends of said stylet and said endotracheal tube. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification