Digital endotracheal tube sound acquisition and localization device

• US 8,038,629 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2008
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Doan, Thomas K., Solanki, Daneshvari R., McGrady, William E. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dougherty; Sean
• Application Number:
  US12/244,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20090099479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.24, 128/202.22, 128/207.14, 128/207.16, 600/424, 600/529, 600/538, 600/586, 600/593, 606/202, 606/203
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R
• 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 2016/0413 with detectors of CO2 in exhaled gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means

Abstract

An apparatus and method for determining proper endotreachal placement is disclosed. The apparatus includes an audio receiver having a body, a microphone mount in a center thereof the body and an audio cavity, an audio processing unit; and a signal cable connected at a first end to the microphone and at a second end, where the receiver is adapted to be positioned in a suprasternal notch of a patient and the acoustic signal detected after inflation of a balloon associated with an endotracheal tube. The method uses the apparatus to detect and analyze an audio signal. The audio signal is then used to confirm endotracheal tube placement.

Claims

1. A method for confirming proper placement endotracheal tube comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus comprising;

an audio receiving unit including a receiver adapted to be placed on a site of a patient'"'"'s body and to receive sounds generated from a pilot tube of an endotracheal tube,

an audio processing unit adapted to receive an audio signal detected by the audio receiver and to verify a proper placement of the endotracheal tube in the patient based on characteristics of the audio signal; and

a signal cable interconnecting the receiver and the processing unit;

placing the audio receiving unit on a site of a patient'"'"'s skin;

inserting an endotracheal tube into the patient;

inflating a pilot balloon of the endotracheal tube, which is filled with a gas and liquid mixture;

squeezing the balloon generating a crepitus sound,

detecting the sound in the receiver,

producing a signal from the receiver,

determining, in the processing unit, if the signal evidences proper or improper endotreachal tube placement,

generating a cognizable human output corresponding to the placement, and

if the placement is improper, repositioning the tube until the signal evidences proper placement.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the site is a suprasternal notch.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving unit further includes an audio cavity.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the receiving unit further includes a diaphragm so that the cavity is defined between the diaphragm and the receiver.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the audio cavity includes a channel and the receiver is mounted in a center of the channel.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the audio cavity includes a channel and the receiver is mounted in a center of the channel.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing unit includes at least one human cognizable output component, where the at least one human cognizable output component generates a human cognizable output evidencing proper or improper endotracheal tube placement.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the output further evidences a nature of an improper endotracheal tube placement.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the human cognizable output components are selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a display, indicator lights, a tactile device, vibrator, and mixtures or combinations thereof.