Patent ID: 6568388
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An apparatus for guiding insertion of an endotracheal tube into a patient's trachea while ventilating the patient, said apparatus comprising:a tubular guide having a main lumen to direct insertion of an endotracheal tube through the guide into a patient's trachea; said guide having a curved distal portion for insertion into a patient's mouth and hypopharynx to a position adjacent to the patient's larynx, and a proximal end extending out of the patient's mouth; a second lumen extending along the guide to supply air/oxygen into the patient's lungs through the larynx; a guide cap removably insertable onto the proximal end of the guide having: (a) a guide cap passageway extending through the guide cap; and (b) a one-way valve allowing anesthetic to be introduced through the guide cap passageway and guide during insertion of the guide into the patient's mouth and hypopharynx, but substantially preventing patient secretions from passing through the guide during resuscitation of the patient, said guide cap being removable from the guide to allow insertion of the endotracheal tube through the guide; a fiber optic probe insertable through an endotracheal tube; and a stabilizer removably attachable to the fiber optic probe, said stabilizer having dimensions sufficiently large to push the endotracheal tube forward as the fiber optic probe is advanced along the guide and into the patient's trachea.