Patent ID: 8577477

Claim:
A method for inserting an elongated, flexible tube in a trachea of a patient and selectively placing an electrode initially detached from the elongated, flexible tube to facilitate monitoring at least one nerve during a surgical procedure, the method comprising: inserting an elongated, flexible tube in a trachea of a patient, the elongated, flexible tube having at least one interior sidewall and at least one exterior sidewall; positioning an electrical contact detached from the elongated, flexible tube from a position external to the patient to an initial position internal to the patient and along the at least one exterior sidewall subsequent to inserting the elongated, flexible tube; measuring the conductivity between the electrical contact and the at least one nerve to be monitored; determining whether the position of the electrical contact optimizes the conductivity between the electrode and the at least one nerve to be monitored; independently moving the electrical contact detached from the elongated, flexible tube with respect to the at least one exterior sidewall of the elongated, flexible tube if it is determined that the conductivity is not optimized and repeating until the position of the electrical contact is optimized; and securing the electrical contact to the elongated, flexible tube in a final position when it is determined that the position of the electrical contact is optimized.