Method and apparatus for determining whether an intubated patient has been properly intubated

• US 6,149,603 A
• Filed: 06/10/1999
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ventrex, Inc. (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ventrex, Inc. (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Inventors: Parker, Frederick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk, John P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARTER, RYAN CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US09/329,366
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 600/529, 600/532, 128/200.24, 128/200.26, 128/202.22, 128/205.23, 128/207.15, 128/207.14, 604/100
• US Class Current: 600/532
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0833 Measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0084 self-reinflatable by elasticity, e.g. resuscitation squeeze bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0411 with means for differentiating between oesophageal and tracheal intubation
• 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 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1065 in the expiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/075 Bulb type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/02 Equipment for testing the apparatus

Abstract

Method and apparatus for indicating proper placement of an endotracheal tube in the trachea of a patient which comprises measuring the oxygen concentration of inspired and expired air and, utilizing this information, performs the calculation necessary to determine whether the tube has been properly placed.

Claims

1. An endotracheal placement detection (EPD) device for a tubular member (an endotracheal tube), one end of said endotracheal tube adapted for insertion into a patient'"'"'s trachea and the other end located external to the patient, the detection device comprising:

a tubular housing including a multi-legged Tee member coupled to said other end of the endotracheal tube, a second leg of said Tee being coupled to a source of breathing gas, and the third leg of said Tee being coupled to an oxygen sensor, a disposable filter positioned between said oxygen sensor and said Tee, said oxygen sensor including a display for displaying the existence of a difference in oxygen level in gases inspired and expired by said patient and means to indicate any difference.

2. The EPD device defined in claim 1 wherein said oxygen sensor is detachable from said Tee member.

3. A method of indicating proper placement of an endotracheal tube in the trachea comprising measuring the difference in oxygen concentration of inspired and expired air (gas) and indicating any difference between them.

4. The method defined in claim 3 wherein the difference is indicated by determining the rate of change in oxygen concentration between inspired and expired gases.

5. The method defined in claim 3 wherein the difference is indicated by identifying a change in slope between the inspired and expired air (gas).

6. The method of claim 3 having a means to indicate a drop in inspired O₂ levels.

7. The method of claim 3 which, in addition to measuring the difference in the oxygen concentration of inspired and expired gas, also measures the rate of change of these levels, from breath to breath, and uses these calculations to determine the significance of the measured difference between the oxygen concentration of the inspired and expired gas.