Patent ID: 6860264
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for intubating a patient with an endotracheal tube comprising: inserting a curved tubular guide into a patient's mouth and upper airway, so that the distal end of the guide is positioned above the patient's larynx; providing a light wand having a flexible elongated member with a light source at its distal tip; inserting the wand through an endotracheal tube, so that the light source at the distal tip of the wand is adjacent to the distal end of the endotracheal tube; advancing the wand and endotracheal tube along the guide until the distal end of the endotracheal tube passes through the patient's larynx and the light source is eternally observable at a predetermined location through the patient's tracheal wall; retracting the guide over the proximal end of the endotracheal tube while leaving the wand and endotracheal tube in place in the patient's airway; and withdrawing the wand from within the endotracheal tube while leaving the endotracheal tube in place in the patient's airway.