Automatic intubation device for guiding endotracheal tube into trachea

摘要

The automatic intubation device described herein consists of an endotracheal tube which can be inserted automatically into the trachea without the use of a laryngoscope or a physician skilled in its use and which will avoid obstructions on the way to the trachea and comprises a combination of: (1) a flexible guide comprising either a flexible tube or rod having no more than a slight curvature in the length thereof, preferably an esophageal tube, and having a male or female adaptor or track running at least a substantial portion of its length and (2) the endotracheal tube to be inserted into the trachea which endotracheal tube may have a substantial amount of curvature therein and also has a female or male adaptor or track complementary to the adaptor of the guide and designed to fit into or onto the adaptor of the guide. The guide is introduced through the mouth and pharynx to the esophagus and the endotracheal tube is guided by sliding on the adaptor of the guide to where it leaves this adaptor beyond the epiglottus and at or before reaching the entrance to the esophagus at which point curvature of the endotracheal tube bends it toward and into the trachea or where the esophagus is substantially filled or blocked by the guide the endotracheal tube is turned by the dividing wall toward the trachea. A preferred guide of this application has an oblong cross-section of appropriate width to enter the esophagus with the track or adaptor thereon being positioned in the middle of the width and adapted to position the endotracheal tube in a more accurate position to enter the trachea.