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:
Feb. 26, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 25, 1998
Walter Dennis Clark, Fullerton, CA (US);
Integrated Medical Systems, Inc., Signal Hill, CA (US);
Abstract
An endotracheal tube having an audio aid for indicating the accurate placement thereof. In a first preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a cuffed ETT having distal and proximal ends, the latter having a mechanical noise-making apparatus formed thereon that provides an audible signal when air passes therethrough. In a second preferred embodiment, the invention comprises the combination of a cuffed ETT having distal and proximal ends and an insertion rod for stiffening the ETT during insertion. The insertion rod is coupled to an electrically-powered noise maker formed upon the distal end thereof to produce an audible sound before air flow through the ETT is established. In both embodiments the correct placement is determined by the unaided ear hearing the noise coming from both sides of the chest. If sound is from one side only the insertion is too deep. If the sound is heard from the stomach the ETT is in the esophagus instead of trachea and should be pulled out and reinserted in such a way that it press more forcefully in the ventral direction.