Method and system for determining tracheal and location information for a tracheal tube

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a tracheal tube may include signal sources for providing information at various locations on the tube or in an inflated cuff. The signals from the signal sources may be triangulated to determine the location of the tube in relation to a reference point on the body. The location information may provide an indication as to whether or not the tracheal tube is properly placed within the trachea.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for determining placement of a tracheal tube in a subject comprising:
 a memory storing instructions for:
 receiving triangulation information from a receiver, wherein the triangulation information comprises information related to triangulation between the receiver and a plurality of pressure transducers disposed on a tracheal tube; and 
 determining a placement parameter for the tracheal tube based upon triangulation information; and 
   a processor configured to execute the instructions.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the memory stores instructions for providing an indication of the placement parameter. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pressure transducers is disposed in an inflatable cuff of the tracheal tube. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the memory stores instructions for receiving pressure information corresponding to the at least one pressure transducer from the receiver and determining an intracuff pressure based on the pressure information. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pressure transducers is disposed at or near a distal end of the tracheal tube. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the memory stores instructions for receiving pressure information corresponding to the at least one pressure transducer from the receiver and determining a trachea pressure based on the pressure information.