Intubation device and method

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus is characterized by an intubation-tube placement device; and an intubation tube secured to the intubation-tube placement device. In another embodiment, an apparatus is characterized by an intubation-tube placement device; and an anti-perforation device coupled to the intubation-tube placement device. In another embodiment, an apparatus is characterized by an intubation-tube placement device; and at least one tactile-accentuator flap coupled to the intubation-tube placement device. In another embodiment, an apparatus is characterized by an intubation-tube placement device; and a handle affixed to the intubation-tube placement device. In another embodiment, a method is characterized by inserting an intubation-tube placement device, secured to an intubation tube, into a patient's oral cavity; forcing the intubation-tube placement device through the patient's vocal cords; and axially sliding the intubation tube along the intubation-tube placement device such that the intubation tube follows the intubation-tube placement device through the patient's vocal cords.

1 .- 72 . (canceled) 
   
   
       73 . An intubation device, comprising:
 an intubation tube;   a intubation placement device having a bendable first end configured to be introduced through a set of vocal cords; and   a retention device configured to removably secure the intubation tube in position on the intubation placement device, with the first end of the intubation placement device extending out of the intubation tube, and to be severed from the intubation tube.   
   
   
       74 . The intubation device of  claim 73  wherein the retention device comprises a stopper integral with the intubation tube and having a center hole configured to receive the intubation placement device and a perforation configured to facilitate severing the stopper from the intubation tube. 
   
   
       75 . The intubation device of  claim 74  wherein the stopper is a rubber stopper. 
   
   
       76 . The intubation device of  claim 73  wherein the intubation placement device comprises a hollow tube. 
   
   
       77 . The intubation device of  claim 73  wherein the intubation placement device comprises a bendable rod. 
   
   
       78 . A method of intubating a patient, comprising:
 securing an intubation tube on a first portion of a endotracheal placement device such that a bendable second portion of the endotracheal placement device extends out through the intubation tube;   guiding the second portion of the endotracheal placement device through the patient's vocal cords;   severing the intubation tube from the endotracheal placement device;   guiding the intubation tube through the patient's vocal cords such that a portion of the intubation tube follows the second portion of the endotracheal placement device through the patient's vocal cords; and   removing the endotracheal placement device from the intubation tube.   
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the severing the intubation tube from the endotracheal placement device comprises twisting the endotracheal placement device and the endotracheal tube in opposite directions to sever a retention device. 
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the intubation tube comprises a retention device configured to secure a tube of the intubation tube on the endotracheal placement device and severing the intubation tube from the endotracheal placement device comprises breaking a perforation between the retention device and the tube of the intubation tube. 
   
   
       81 . An intubation device, comprising:
 a endotracheal placement device having a semi-rigid first end configured to pass through vocal cords and into a trachea; and   an intubation tube having a retention device configured to removably secure the intubation tube on the endotracheal placement device with the first end of the endotracheal placement device extending out of a first end of the intubation tube, wherein the retention device is configured to be severed from the intubation tube and the first end of the intubation tube is configured to slide along the endotracheal placement device through vocal cords after the retention device is severed.   
   
   
       82 . The intubation device of  claim 81  wherein:
 the retention device comprises a stopper having a hole; and   the retention device is configured to frictionally receive the endotracheal placement device in the hole.   
   
   
       83 . The intubation device of  claim 81  wherein the retention device comprises a detachable portion of a second end of the intubation tube. 
   
   
       84 . The intubation device of  claim 81  wherein a second end of the endotracheal placement device extends out of a second end of the intubation tube. 
   
   
       85 . The intubation device of  claim 81  wherein the endotracheal placement device comprises a semi-rigid rod. 
   
   
       86 . The intubation device of  claim 81  wherein a tip of the first end of the intubation tube has a rounded shape. 
   
   
       87 . The intubation device of  claim 86  wherein the tip of the first end of the intubation tube has an opening having a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of the endotracheal placement device. 
   
   
       88 . The intubation device of  claim 87  wherein a portion of a wall of the intubation tube adjacent to the first end of the intubation tube has a plurality of ventilation openings. 
   
   
       89 . The intubation device of  claim 81  wherein a tip of the first end of the intubation tube is tapered. 
   
   
       90 . The intubation device of  claim 89  wherein the tip of the first end of the intubation tube is configured to taper to approximately a diameter of the endotracheal placement device.