Abstract:
A suction unit is placed inside the handle of a laryngoscope to allow portable suction to be utilized during intubation without requiring multiple devices. The suction tip can be attached to the distal end of the laryngoscope blade. Replacing the light on a laryngoscope with an LED allows for a small watch-sized battery to be used instead of current large batteries taking up the handle space. This opens up the handle space to make room for the suction unit. Evacuated fluids and discharge exit into a tube and into a portable receptacle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/804,312, entitled INTEGRATED LARYNGOSCOPE, filed Jun. 9, 2006. The subject matter of the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to the field of laryngoscopes and portable suction generating devices. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Endotracheal intubation is a common medical procedure wherein a hollow tube is inserted down the throat, through the vocal chords and into the lungs to provide an open airway for ventilation. To perform this procedure orally, the intubator must be able to visually see the vocal chords in order to properly insert the endotracheal tube (ETT). If, for any reason, the vocal chords cannot be seen, the procedure cannot continue. 
         [0006]    A device called a laryngoscope is used to move the tongue and lift the epiglottis to visualize the vocal chords. A complication that can occur is a fluid such as blood, vomit, or phlegm obscuring the view of the vocal chords. In this situation, a method of suction must be employed in order to clear out the airway to perform the procedure. Should the suction procedure take too long, or fail entirely, the patient is at risk for brain damage and death. 
         [0007]    There are several types of suction methods available. Ambulances and fire trucks carry manual suction units, where the rescuer physically uses his or her hand to make the unit generate suction. This requires the removal of the laryngoscope and requires a third hand. Many of these devices are also blind; the rescuer cannot see if they are suctioning the obscuring fluids or are instead suctioning the wrong area. This also takes significant extra time to complete the intubation procedure, and the patient is not breathing. It is often times impractical to have a second rescuer supply the third hand required for the intubation and suction. In these cases, the intubator must put down either the ETT or the laryngoscope to operate the suction unit, thereby losing even more time. 
         [0008]    Another suction method is using a mechanical suction unit with a catheter. These catheters are attached to an external suction unit, usually mounted on a wall or on a cart and require power. They are not usually blind, but do require a third hand to operate. These mechanical suction units also have tubing and tend to take up significant space. 
         [0009]    Certain laryngoscopes can be attached to the mechanical suction catheters. This provides the advantage of removing the necessity of the third hand, and allows the intubator to insert the ETT immediately after the vocal chords can be visualized. Hospitals tend to be the only ones carrying these devices as it is impractical for use in the field, and few ambulances carry mechanical suction units. This also still requires the mechanical suction unit and tubing which impair motion and take up space. 
         [0010]    To avoid using suction in these situations, a technique using a guidewire can be used. For this procedure, a stiff wire is inserted into the trachea with a needle, and is then fed through the throat up out the oral or nasal cavity. This wire is then used as a visual guide to place the ETT in the trachea. This is a very difficult procedure and comes with many risks. Because it is so invasive, higher levels of training are required to use this technique. It opens the patient up to infection and bleeding in the trachea which can lead to severe consequences. Even though the guide wire penetrates the obstructing fluid, if the fluid is abundant it can still obstruct the view, minimizing the usefulness of this procedure. 
         [0011]    Further details regarding structures, devices, and methods that may be incorporated with the embodiments described below are found in the following patents, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,569,089, 6,248,061, 7,052,456, and RE37,861. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Embodiments of the invention herein described will help overcome the difficulties posed by obscuring fluids during endotracheal intubation. In one embodiment, a laryngoscope with a suction unit internal to the handle is provided, allowing for maximum portability while removing the need for a third hand for suction. This also allows suction to be used during the procedure such that the intubator can insert the ETT the moment the vocal chords become visible. This increases the success rate of intubations and decreases the time required when suction is necessary. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, in one embodiment, a suction unit inside the handle of a laryngoscope allows portable suction to be utilized during intubation without requiring multiple devices. The suction tip can be attached to the distal end of the laryngoscope blade. The light on a laryngoscope may be replaced with an LED, allowing for a small watch-sized battery to be used instead of current large batteries taking up the handle space. This opens up the handle space to make room for the suction unit. Evacuated fluids and discharge exit into a tube and into a portable receptacle. 
         [0014]    One embodiment is a laryngoscope comprising a handle and a suction unit, where the suction unit is contained within the handle. Another embodiment is a laryngoscope comprising a handle, a blade, first and second suction tubes, and a one-way valve. The blade has a proximal and distal end and is operatively connected to the handle. The first suction tube extends along the blade and is for suctioning fluids. The second suction tube is at least partially contained within the handle and is in flow communication with the first suction tube. The one-way valve is disposed between the first and second suction tubes and is in flow communication with both tubes. 
         [0015]    Still another embodiment is a method of intubating a patient. The method comprises providing a laryngoscope having a blade, a handle, a suction unit contained within the handle, and a suction tube coupled to the blade and in flow communication with the suction unit. The method also comprises inserting the blade into the patient&#39;s throat and activating the suction unit without removing the blade from the patient&#39;s throat. 
         [0016]    A further embodiment is a cartridge for use in a laryngoscope. The cartridge comprises a container containing a compressed gas, a valve configured to regulate the flow of the compressed gas, and a pressure gradient generator configured to accelerate the flow of the compressed gas, whereby at least a partial vacuum may be created which is suitable for suctionably withdrawing bodily fluids. 
         [0017]    Yet another embodiment is a portable suction generating device comprising a container containing a compressed gas, a valve in flow communication with the container for regulating flow of the compressed gas, and a pressure gradient generator in flow communication with the valve and a tube. Opening the valve causes the compressed gas to flow through the pressure gradient generator and past the first end of the tube such that suction is generated at the second end of the tube. 
         [0018]    Still another embodiment is a method of arming a portable suction device, the device comprising a container containing a compressed gas, a valve in flow communication with the container for regulating flow of the compressed gas, and a pressure gradient generator in flow communication with the valve, the valve comprising a pin configured to puncture the container. The method comprises pressing the container against the pin without rotating the container. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a left perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a left side elevation of the handle assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a right side elevation of the handle assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a section view of the front half of the handle assembly taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a section view of the back half of the handle assembly taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a section view of the handle head assembly shown taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the handle head assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a section view of the canister arming/activation mechanism shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the canister arming/activation mechanism of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the handle assembly of another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the cartridge assembly of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is an illustration showing the use of one embodiment of the invention in a patient to remove vomit or blood which is blocking the intubator&#39;s view of the vocal cords. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is an illustration showing a successful intubation of a patient using one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    One embodiment of the invention is a laryngoscope with internal suction capability. All suction generating components may be located inside the handle. The laryngoscope includes a blade, and may have a tube that runs the length of the blade to the distal end, allowing a user to suction fluids without changing devices or requiring external suction units. The entire suction unit may be housed in the handle. 
         [0036]    Embodiments with the suction unit inside the handle have particular advantages, such as allowing a user the ability to operate both the laryngoscope and the suction unit with the same hand, without removing the laryngoscope blade, even in an environment where no external suction generating unit is easily accessible. By housing the suction unit within the handle, embodiments of the invention advantageously avoid extra tubes and extra bulk near a patient&#39;s mouth, improving a user&#39;s ability to properly position the laryngoscope during an intubation procedure. Additionally, embodiments which include a suction generating unit housed in a disposable cartridge assembly desirably allow for easy and fast cleaning of a device between uses. 
         [0037]    The laryngoscope preferably uses an LED as the light source, and includes a voltage source which is also housed in the handle. This voltage source may be a small battery of cylindrical shape, generally the size of a watch battery. The battery may be secured in the handle in a location that does not disrupt use of suction. 
         [0038]    A suction catheter runs down one side, such as the left side of the laryngoscope blade. The suction catheter may also be a part of the blade, and be a manufactured tube internal to the blade. Suction may be generated by mechanical, manual, or other means. A switch, button, or trigger activates the suction. Should the user not use the switch, it is perpetually in the OFF position and suction does not occur. The switch may be electrical or mechanical, and may be located anywhere on the handle. 
         [0039]    The discharge exits via a tube mounted on the handle such that it does not obstruct the user&#39;s view. Discharge then flows along this tube into a receptacle at the distal end of the tubing where it is stored for removal. 
         [0040]    Suction may be generated by a device operating off of Bernoulli&#39;s Principle, wherein a fluid passes over an open tube at a high velocity in order to create a low pressure, thereby generating suction. This fluid may be stored in a compressed gas canister in the handle along with the Bernoulli device. A valve, controlled by a switch, prevents gas from being discharged without direct intervention by the user, and is perpetually in the OFF position. The compressed gas canister is connected to the valve. A tube takes the flow from there to the Bernoulli device. Suction is generated in this device and there is a pressure gradient between the suction tube and the Bernoulli device. In the handle, on the suction catheter there is a one way valve, oriented such that fluids may only flow towards the Bernoulli device. Fluid then flows out of the Bernoulli device and into an external tube attached to a discharge receptacle. 
         [0041]    The handle and all internal parts may be disposable. The suction catheter may be a part of this handle. The handle may also be non-disposable but the internal parts all interconnected into a single disposable cartridge. The suction catheter may be a part of this disposable cartridge. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 1-6  provide an example of a portable integrated laryngoscope and suction device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  100  generally includes a blade  20 , an external suction tube  30 , a handle head  40 , and a handle  50 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 2 , the device  100  also includes a cartridge assembly  60  which fits inside the handle  50 . The device may also include a collection assembly  70 . 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the blade  20  may have a proximal end  202  and a distal end  204 . The width of the blade  20  may taper from the proximal end  202  toward the distal end  204 , and the blade  20  may be either curved or straight along its length. The blade  20  may have a tongue depressor side  206 , for example the left side (as viewed by a patient), which is configured to push the patient&#39;s tongue out of the way as the device  100  is inserted. The blade may also have an ETT guide side  208 , for example the right side, which is configured to receive an ETT and guide it down the length of the blade  20 . The blade  20  may be formed from, for example, stainless steel or coated steel, and may have a generally Z-shaped (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) or generally C-shaped cross section. 
         [0044]    As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the ETT guide side  208  may be provided with a light source  210 , attached for example near the distal end of the blade  20 , which is configured to illuminate a patient&#39;s throat when the device  100  is in use. The light source  210  may be connected to a wire  212  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) via a threaded receptacle located in a hole passing through the blade  20 . The light source  210  may, for example, be an LED. The wire  212  may be attached to the blade  20  along the tongue depressor side  206  and terminate at a contact near the proximal end  202  of the blade  20 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the blade  20  may be connected to the handle head  40  by a locking hinge  214  at the proximal end  202  of the blade  20 . The contact may be configured to engage a battery contact on the handle head  40  when the blade is in the locked position. 
         [0046]    The external suction tube  30  may have an open end located near the distal end  204  of the blade  20 . The tube  30  may run along the tongue depressor side  206  of the blade  20 , and may be secured to the blade  20  by rings  216 . The external suction tube  30  may be equipped with a one-way valve  302  which is configured to prevent backflow. The one-way valve  302  may be coupled to a connection tube  304  which attaches to an internal suction tube  602 , which will be described in further detail below. The external suction tube  30  may comprise any suitable tubing material, for example ¼″ internal diameter silicon tubing. Alternatively, the external suction tube  30  may comprise an open channel formed in the blade  20  itself The connection tube  304  may comprise, for example, ⅛″ internal diameter flexible rubber or PVC tubing. 
         [0047]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the handle head  40  is attached to the bottom of the handle  50  via threads. The handle head  40  connects the blade  20  to the handle  50  via fixed pin  402  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0048]    As shown in detail in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the handle head  40  may house electronics to power the light  210  on the blade  20 . The handle head  40  may contain a battery case  406 , a battery  408 , grounding hooks  409 , grounding clips  410 , a battery platform  412 , a platform contact  414 , grounding screws  416 , a conductive spring  418 , a conductive pin  420 , and transfer casing  422 . The conductive pin  420  may be configured to contact the blade  20  to transfer electrical power to the light  210  on the blade  20 . These electronics are well known in the art and thus will not be described in further detail. 
         [0049]    The handle head  40  may also include an opening  424  which is configured to receive internal suction tube  602  (which will be described in further detail below) from the cartridge assembly  70 . 
         [0050]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the handle  50  may house the cartridge assembly  60 . The handle  50  may include two external attachment pins  502  which mate with holes  702  in a collection seal  704  to secure the collection seal  704  to the handle  50 . The handle may further include internal nuts (not shown) located on the inside of the handle  50  opposite the attachment pins  502 , configured to hold the attachment pins  502  in place and to guide the cartridge assembly  60  into the handle  50  in an appropriate position. A handle cap  504 , configured to secure the cartridge assembly  60  inside the handle  50 , may mate with the top end of the handle  50  via threads. 
         [0051]    The handle  50  may further include an exit hole  506  which is configured to provide an exit route for fluids being suctioned through the internal suction tube  602  to the collection system  70 . The handle  50  may also include a trigger  510  which is configured to control suction in the device  100 . The trigger  510  may be configured to engage an actuator  644  (described in further detail below) when the trigger  510  is depressed. The trigger  510  may be located in any appropriate position along the blade, and may be an electrical or mechanical trigger. The trigger  510  may be formed from any suitable material, for example, machined aluminum. The trigger  510  may be pivotably connected via a hingepin to a trigger hinge  512  attached to the opposite side of the handle  50 . The trigger hinge  512  may be formed from, for example, steel or another sheetmetal, and may be attached to the handle  50  in any suitable manner. The handle  50  may include slots  514  to allow the trigger  510  to pivot freely around the trigger hinge  512  when the handle cap  504  is removed. 
         [0052]    With reference now to  FIG. 7 , the cartridge assembly  60  may include a housing comprising a front mold  604 ( a ) and a back mold  604 ( b ). The cartridge assembly may also house a suction unit or source of suction. One embodiment includes a suction unit comprising the internal suction tube  602 , a pressure gradient generator  606 , a flow feed tube  608 , a canister arming/activation mechanism  610 , an energy source comprising a compressed gas canister  612 , and a canister spring  614 . 
         [0053]    As described above, the internal suction tube  602  may fit through the opening  424  in the handle head  40 , and may be connected to the connection tube  304  in the suction tube assembly  30 . The internal suction tube  602  may lead from the connection tube  304  up toward the top of the cartridge assembly  60 , where it may connect with an opening in the pressure gradient generator  606 . The flow feed tube  608  may be connected to the canister arming/activation mechanism  610  and may be configured to carry high velocity gas released from the gas canister  612  to the pressure gradient generator  606 . As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the pressure gradient generator  606  may be configured to accelerate the air released from the gas canister  612  over the top of the internal suction tube  602  and thereby generate a pressure gradient in the suction tube  602 . 
         [0054]    The canister spring  614  may be positioned between the gas canister  612  and the canister arming/activation mechanism  610 , and may be configured to mitigate any jarring motion that may occur in an ambulance or during shipping from an accidental puncturing of the gas canister  612 . 
         [0055]    With reference now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the canister arming/activation mechanism  610  may include an arming portion  630  located above the gas canister  612 . The arming portion  630  may hold a canister collar  632  and a puncture portion  634 . The canister collar  632  may be threaded to receive the neck of the gas canister  612 . The puncture portion  634  may include a puncture pin  636  which is configured to puncture the gas canister  612  when a user presses the gas canister  612  into the cartridge assembly  60 , thereby releasing pressurized gas into the mechanism  610  and arming the cartridge assembly  60 . The puncture portion  634  may further include holes  638  which are configured to allow released gas to flow into a chamber  640 , located above the puncture portion  634  and within a bearing casing  642 . The arming portion  630  and the bearing casing  642  may be attached to the puncture portion  634  via threads. 
         [0056]    The canister arming/activation mechanism  610  may further include an actuator  644 , located at the top of the arming/activation mechanism  610  generally above the arming portion  630 . The actuator  644  may include a pin  646  which is configured to contact a free-floating ball bearing  641  through a hole  643  in the top of the bearing casing  642 . The ball bearing  641  may be located within the chamber  640 , and may be configured to block leakage of pressurized gas from the chamber  640  through the hole  643  after the gas canister  612  has been initially punctured (armed). When the activation portion  644  is depressed, the pin  646  may be configured to depress the ball bearing  641 , allowing gas to flow through the hole  643  and out of the mechanism  610  via a hole  648  at the top of the activation portion  644 , thereby activating the mechanism  610 . 
         [0057]    As can best be seen in  FIG. 11 , the mechanism  610  may be equipped with an o-ring  650  disposed between the arming portion  630  and the canister collar  632 , to seal in released gas after the gas canister  612  has been armed. The mechanism  610  may further include an o-ring  652  disposed between the puncture portion  634  and the actuator  644 , to prevent leakage once the mechanism  610  is activated. The mechanism  610  may also include a bearing gasket  654 , configured to help the ball bearing  641  seal the hole  643  when the mechanism  610  is armed but not activated. 
         [0058]    Referring again to  FIG. 7 , the cartridge molds  604  may mate together via pins, and may be secured together with an adhesive such as glue. The molds  604  may include internal ribs  616  which are configured to secure the gas canister  612  and the canister arming/activation mechanism  610  within the cartridge assembly  60 . When mated together, the molds  604  may define a channel  618  which is configured to closely receive and align the exit port end of the pressure gradient generator  606  with the exit hole  506  in the handle  50 . The molds  604  may also be configured to allow the trigger  510  to pivot around the trigger hinge  512  and depress the trigger valve depressor  644  when the device  100  is assembled. Each mold  604  may also include an open channel  620  which is configured to receive one of the cartridge guide nuts on the inside of the handle  50  and guide the cartridge assembly into the handle  50  in an appropriate position. When mated together, the molds  604  may further define an opening at the bottom of the cartridge assembly  60 , through which a user may press on the end of the gas canister  612  and thereby arm the canister assembly  60 . For ease of cleaning and for re-usability of the device  100 , the entire cartridge assembly  60  may be disposable. 
         [0059]    It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that other embodiments may include different types of suction generating units from that described above. It will also be apparent that other configurations are possible as well, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A of Provisional Application No. 60/804,312, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0060]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the collection assembly  70  may include a collection hose  706  which terminates inside a collection bag  708 . The end of the collection hose  706  may be provided with a condensing tube (not shown) configured to facilitate condensation of atomized fluids. The collection bag  708  may be provided with air filters  710  which are located near the top of the bag  708  and which are configured to prevent atomized fluids from being expelled into the air. 
         [0061]    The collection seal  704  may be formed from any material capable of providing an appropriate seal between the cartridge assembly  60  and the collection hose  706 , for example, neoprene rubber. The collection hose  706  may consist of any appropriate material, for example kink-resistant EVA hosing. The condensing tube  710  may be formed from any suitable tubing material, for example, plastic. The collection bag  708  may also be formed from any appropriate material, such as a heavy flexible plastic. 
         [0062]    With reference now to  FIG. 12 , an alternative embodiment of the invention may include a cartridge assembly  80  which attaches to an external suction generator (not shown). As best shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the cartridge assembly  80  may include an internal suction tube  802 , a front mold  804 ( a ), a back mold  804 ( b ), a pressure T-joint  806 , a breaker seal  808 , and a breaker lever  810 . The cartridge molds  804  may include internal ribs  816  to secure the pressure T joint  806  and the internal suction tube  802  in place. The pressure T-joint  806  may be connected to the top of the internal suction tube  802  and may provide multiple fluid channels for suction and suctioned fluids. The breaker seal  808  may be attached to the breaker lever  810  via a hingepin  812  and a hinge  814 . The breaker lever  810  may be provided with a spring (not shown) which is configured to hold the breaker lever  810  in a default position. The breaker seal  808  may be configured to remain open and prevent suction when the breaker lever  810  is in the default position, and engage suction through the pressure T joint  806  when the breaker lever  810  is depressed. 
         [0063]    To assemble the device as described in  FIGS. 1-11 , a user activates the cartridge assembly  60  by pushing on the gas canister  612  through the hole in the bottom of the cartridge assembly  60 . This causes the puncture pin  636  to puncture the canister  612 , thereby arming the cartridge assembly  60 . The user then removes the handle cap  504  from the top of the handle, and flips the trigger  510  to the outside of the handle  50 . The user then drops the cartridge  60  into the handle  50 , aligning the open channels  620  with the pins on the inside of the handle  50 . This ensures proper placement of the cartridge  60  in the handle  50 . Then the user secures the handle cap  504  to the handle  50 . Alternatively, the cartridge assembly  60  may be configured to allow activation of the assembly  60  while it is inside the handle  50 . 
         [0064]    Next, the user inserts the external suction tube  30  through the rings  216  on a properly sized blade  20 . The user then hooks the blade  20  onto the handle head  40  and connects the connection tube  304  with the bottom end of the internal suction tube  602 . The user then secures the external collection hose  706  to the exit hole  506  in the handle  50 , attaching the collection seal  704  to the handle  50  at attachment points  502 . Once the device  100  is armed and assembled, the user may engage suction in the device  100  (that is, the user may activate the device  100 ) by depressing the trigger  510 . The user may release suction by releasing the trigger  510 . 
         [0065]    A method of intubating a patient is also disclosed.  FIG. 15  is an illustration of a patient requiring intubation but having the intubator&#39;s view of the epiglottis  90  and vocal cords  92  occluded by bodily fluids  94 . As shown in the figure, a user may insert the device  100  into the patient&#39;s throat, determine whether the view of the epiglottis and vocal cords is occluded, and, if necessary, activate suction within the device  100  by depressing the trigger  510  (not visible in the figure). The user may adjust the location of the distal end of the blade  204  in order to optimize removal of fluids. As shown in  FIG. 16 , once the vocal cords  92  become visible, the user may terminate suction in the device  100  by releasing the trigger  510 . The user may then immediately insert the ETT  98  along the ETT guide side  208  (opposite the side visible in the figure) of the blade  20  and through the vocal cords  92 . The collection assembly  70  and the trigger hinge  512  are not depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0066]    Because the suction tube  30  is preferably located on the tongue depressor side  206  of the blade  20 , the presence of the suction tube does not impede insertion of the ETT. Because the suction unit is contained within the device  100 , the intubator may successfully intubate a patient having occluding fluids in his throat without the intermediate step of removing the laryngoscope to insert an external suction device, thereby saving valuable seconds. Further, because the entire device  100  is portable, the method of the invention can be used to successfully intubate such a patient when an external suction generating unit is not available, for example, in a field environment. 
         [0067]    It will be understood by those of skill in the art that numerous and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the forms of the invention are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.