Endotracheal tube having a beveled tip and orientation indicator

摘要

An endotracheal tube has a beveled distal end with a tip on the posterior wall of the endotracheal tube, and a visual indicator extending along the endotracheal tube. The visual indicator can be a radio-opaque stripe extending the length of the anterior and/or posterior wall of the endotracheal tube. The leading edge of the distal tip of the endotracheal tube can be curved in the anterior direction to reduce the risk to trauma to the patient's airway. The distal end of the endotracheal tube is inserted into the patient's mouth so that the visual indicator remains visible to the healthcare provider when viewed from above. The healthcare provider advances the endotracheal tube into the patient's airway while monitoring the position of the visual indicator to ensure that the tip at the distal end of the endotracheal tube passes through the midline of the wider posterior portion of the opening in the patient's larynx.