METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING BREATHING TUBE MOVEMENT

摘要

Methods and systems are provided for detecting movement of the breathing tube in a surrounding airway of a patient. The breathing tube includes an optical fiber or camera system for producing a video image of the airway from the distal end of the breathing tube. By obtaining a baseline image and comparing said baseline image with successive images, the position of the breathing tube can be automatically monitored and a signal provided when the image differs from the baseline by more than a threshold value.