Inventors:
James N. Parker - San Diego CA
Brian S. Pazevic - San Diego CA
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA
International Classification:
A61M 2900, A61M 3100, A61M 1600
Abstract:
A body insertion tube can be configured as a nasogastric (NG) tube or endotracheal (ET) tube. When the tube is an NG tube, the tube has a distal segment positionable in the esophagus and a stomach segment connected to the distal segment and positionable in the stomach for aspirating fluids therefrom. An inflatable perforated jacket is positioned around a substantial portion of the distal segment such that anesthetic can be directed into the jacket and out of the perforations to anesthetize substantially all of the nasal passages and throat during intubation. When the tube is an ET tube, the tube has a distal segment positionable in the trachea, and an inflatable cuff is positioned around the distal segment of the tube. An inflatable perforated jacket surrounds a substantial segment of the tube such that anesthetic can be directed through the jacket to anesthetize substantially all of the throat and vocal cords during intubation.