Inventors:
Thomas Maxwell Dalton - Wilmington NC, US
International Classification:
A61M 16/00
Abstract:
A controllable intubating stylet (CIS) for use by anesthesia and other health care providers is used in conjunction with a video laryngoscope and endotracheal tube in order to achieve intubation of the trachea for general anesthesia as well as other medical conditions. The video laryngoscope is used to visualize the tracheal opening. The CIS is inserted into an endotracheal tube and directed into the trachea. The endotracheal tube then is maneuvered over the stylet and into the trachea, and thereafter, the CIS is removed. The patient can then be oxygenated and ventilated by way of the endotracheal tube. The CIS includes a control mechanism similar to current bronchoscopes which allows for flexion of the tip and overall flexibility of the stylet. In contrast to the bronchoscope, however, the CIS includes no fiberoptics or associated components, such as a light source or eyepiece, making the CIS much less expensive to produce.