Patent ID: 7458375

Claim:
A device to facilitate endotracheal intubation of a patient, comprising: (a) a gripping means; (b) a tubular element having a proximal end attached to the gripping means and a distal end; (c) a continuous curvable portion of the tubular element disposed adjacent to the distal end of the tubular element, having cuts in the tubular element adapted to curve the curvable portion; (d) a control means operable from the gripping means; and (e) a means for moving the curvable portion transmitting force applied by the user on the control means to curve the curvable portion, wherein when the control portion is manipulated by the user, the curvable portion curves into a generally curved configuration in a controlled manner from a straight configuration and returns to a less curved conformation when the control means is released and having a shape memory to go back to the less curved conformation after the control means is released.