Inventors:
Charles Allen Bashour - Chagrin Falls OH
Assignee:
Cleveland Clinic Foundation - Cleveland OH
International Classification:
A61B 1267
Abstract:
The fiberscope (referred to as an âendoscopic styletâ by the inventor) has a largely semi-rigid insertion cord which permits a user to pre-form the endoscopic stylet to follow the anticipated contours of the airway leading to the trachea and to insure that it reliably shepherds the associated endotracheal tube to the intended tracheal position. By visually tracking the progress of the endoscopic stylet through the airway, specifically through the vocal cords and into the trachea, placed at the proper distance above the carina, as permitted by the fiberoptic portions of the endoscopic stylet, proper positioning of the endotracheal tube is virtually assured, and post-intubation verification would be unnecessary in most instances since intubation is itself verification of proper endotracheal tube placement.