The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 20, 1989
Filed:
Nov. 06, 1987
Scott D Augustine, San Diego, CA (US);
Douglas J Augustine, Sandstone, MN (US);
Other;
Abstract
A device for positioning an endotracheal tube when the tube is inserted into the trachea of a patient for lung inflation uses the patient's carina as a reference point against which the endotracheal tube is positioned. The positioning device consists of an elongate, flexible member with at least three flexible filaments at its distal end which assume a compressed tripodal configuration when inserted through the endotracheal tube. When the distal end of the positioning device emerges from the distal end of the endotracheal tube, the flexible elements spring out into a tripodal-shaped structure. As the positioning device is advanced further, the apex of the tripodal-shaped structure engages the carina. At this point the positioning device provides a reference line for correctly locating the distal end of the endotracheal tube with respect to the carina. Since the dimensions of the positioning device and the endotracheal tube are known, the location of the distal end of the tube with respect to the carina can be indirectly derived by observing the position of the tube with respect to the positioning device. The relative measurement is provided by calibration marks at the proximal end of the positioning device. Once the endotracheal tube is correctly positioned in the trachea, the positioning device can be withdrawn. The tripodal-shaped structure is compressed when the distal end of the positioning device enters the distal end of the endotracheal tube lumen. The positioning device is then removed to allow ventilation of the patient through the endotracheal tube.