Oral fiberoptic intubating apparatus and method

摘要

An endotracheal intubating instrument has an elongate curvilinear blade member releasably attachable to a handle and a central channel sized to removably receive and slidably engage an endotracheal tube therein, an elongate tubular housing removably connected at its forward end to the rearward end of the endotracheal tube which removably receives a fiberoptic scope having an eyepiece at a rearward end and a fiberoptic bundle extending forwardly within the endotracheal tube, and an adjustable positioning element through which the forwardly extending fiberoptic bundle passes for adjustably positioning and maintaining the tip end of the fiberoptic bundle relative to the forward end of the endotracheal tube. The apparatus is placed in the mouth, the larynx is identified, and the endotracheal tube, housing, and fiberoptic scope are advanced as a unit into the trachea as the blade is removed. Then the fiberoptic scope and housing are withdrawn, leaving the endotracheal tube in the desired part of the trachea.