APPARATUS COMPRISING AN ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE AND A MEASURING PROBE

摘要

A positioning device for use with a tracheal tube which is insertable into a patient's trachea particularly a tube of a type which includes a respiration gas jet discharge which must be accurately positioned in respect to the first bifurcation of the trachea for optimal respiration effects. The positioning device comprises an elastic measuring probe which is insertable into the tracheal tube and has a distal end which may be projected out of the tube and which carries a carina engaging stop end in the form of outwardly foldable elements which may engage over the top of the carina on engaging the carina in a roof-like manner. The measuring probe includes an opposite end which may be manipulated by a person's hand to regulate the amount of extension of the lower end of the probe beyond the end of the tracheal tube which is inserted into the person's trachea. The elastic measuring probe advantageously carries a pull wire which is connected to the carina engaging stop end and which may be moved in order to unfold the foldable elements of the stop end to cause them to engage over the crown of the bifurcation namely the carina. A measuring sleeve is associated with the elastic measuring probe and when the distal end of the probe is extended out of the tube the sleeve is presented into the end of the tracheal tube which is outside the trachea and the amount of the penetration of the measuring sleeve provides a direct visual reading of the amount of extension of the stop beyond the inserted end of the tracheal tube in the person's trachea.