Airway products having LEDs

Abstract

The present invention relates to an illuminated airway product that will allow visualization of the airway of a patient during intubation. The illuminated airway product includes a light source such as an LED disposed at its distal end. The LED shines axially, radially, or in both directions from the airway intubation device. The airway product includes an on-board voltage source. Hence, no additional or external voltage sources or components are necessary to light the device. The airway device may further include one or more lumens or tubes for delivering air, suctioning debris or fluids, delivering medicine, radio-opaqueness, etc. An inflatable cuff may be associated with the endotracheal tube such that collateral flow of air is prevented. An inflation lumen or tube is fluidly coupled to the inflatable cuff. The shape of the endotracheal tube may be adjusted either by use of a stylet or suction trocar made out of a malleable material such as aluminum or by inclusion of a malleable wire within the tube. Kits including a LED lighted endotracheal tube are also provided.

1 - 32 . (cancelled)  
     
     
         33 : An illuminated airway product comprising: 
 an endotracheal tube having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending from said proximal end to said distal end;    one or more light sources selected from the group consisting of LED's and chemiluminescent light sources mounted proximally in said endotracheal tube; and    optical fibers extending from the light sources, distally in said endotracheal tube, ending more distally, and configured to illuminate from those optical fiber distal ends.    
     
     
         34 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  wherein the endotracheal tube has a wall and the optical fibers are embedded in the wall.  
     
     
         35 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  wherein the optical fibers terminate at the distal end of the endotracheal tube.  
     
     
         36 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 35  wherein the optical fibers are configured to illuminate distally of the endotracheal tube.  
     
     
         37 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 35  wherein the optical fibers are configured to illuminate radially.  
     
     
         38 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  wherein the one or more light sources comprise one or more LED's.  
     
     
         39 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  wherein the one or more light sources comprise one or more chemiluminescent light sources.  
     
     
         40 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  further comprising a suction lumen.  
     
     
         41 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  further comprising a suction source fluidly coupled to said suction lumen.  
     
     
         42 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  further comprising a malleable stylet.  
     
     
         43 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  comprising a medicine supply lumen for delivering a medicinal substance.  
     
     
         44 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  wherein the one or more light sources comprise LED's and further comprising a switch secured to said endotracheal tube, said switch configured to activate said LED.  
     
     
         45 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 33  wherein the one or more light sources comprise LED's and further comprising one or more batteries.  
     
     
         46 : The illuminated airway product of  claim 45  wherein said one or more batteries comprise flexible batteries.