Methods for confirming placement of endotracheal tubes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of confirming proper positioning or placement of an endotracheal tube within a patient without requiring the use of a laryngoscope or bronchoscope, the method comprising:
- connecting a coupling assembly to a proximal end of an endotracheal tube;
inserting a visualization device into the endotracheal tube through the coupling assembly;
wherein the visualization device comprises;
a scope retention assembly at a proximal end of the visualization device;
wherein the scope retention assembly comprises a stretchable elastomeric sleeve having an open proximal end and an open distal end and a scope retention member attached to the open proximal end of the stretchable elastomeric sleeve; and
a visualization tube having a sealed distal end and an open proximal end,wherein the sealed distal end comprises a window; and
wherein the visualization tube is a separate component from the scope retention assembly;
inserting a visualization scope through the stretchable elastomeric sleeve of the scope retention assembly and then within the visualization tube of the visualization device;
advancing the visualization scope within the visualization tube until the distal end of the visualization scope contacts the window of the visualization tube,wherein the visualization scope comprises a locking member positioned at a location such that the locking member remains outside of the visualization tube and the stretchable elastomeric sleeve;
stretching the proximal end of the stretchable elastomeric sleeve by pulling the scope retention member proximally to a position such that a receiving feature of the scope retention member aligns with the locking member of the visualization scope;
releasing the scope retention member at the proximal end of the elastomeric sleeve, thereby exerting a static force on the visualization scope in the direction of the window at the distal end of the visualization tube; and
confirming a position of the distal end of the endotracheal tube within the airway of the patient from images captured by the visualization scope.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating insertion of an endotracheal tube and/or for verifying the position of the endotracheal tube within an airway of a patient with respect to an anatomical landmark of a patient are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating removal of debris from the distal airways of a patient under direct visualization are also disclosed.
344 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of confirming proper positioning or placement of an endotracheal tube within a patient without requiring the use of a laryngoscope or bronchoscope, the method comprising:
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connecting a coupling assembly to a proximal end of an endotracheal tube; inserting a visualization device into the endotracheal tube through the coupling assembly; wherein the visualization device comprises; a scope retention assembly at a proximal end of the visualization device; wherein the scope retention assembly comprises a stretchable elastomeric sleeve having an open proximal end and an open distal end and a scope retention member attached to the open proximal end of the stretchable elastomeric sleeve; and a visualization tube having a sealed distal end and an open proximal end, wherein the sealed distal end comprises a window; and wherein the visualization tube is a separate component from the scope retention assembly; inserting a visualization scope through the stretchable elastomeric sleeve of the scope retention assembly and then within the visualization tube of the visualization device; advancing the visualization scope within the visualization tube until the distal end of the visualization scope contacts the window of the visualization tube, wherein the visualization scope comprises a locking member positioned at a location such that the locking member remains outside of the visualization tube and the stretchable elastomeric sleeve; stretching the proximal end of the stretchable elastomeric sleeve by pulling the scope retention member proximally to a position such that a receiving feature of the scope retention member aligns with the locking member of the visualization scope; releasing the scope retention member at the proximal end of the elastomeric sleeve, thereby exerting a static force on the visualization scope in the direction of the window at the distal end of the visualization tube; and confirming a position of the distal end of the endotracheal tube within the airway of the patient from images captured by the visualization scope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification