Endotracheal tube and method of use

Abstract

This disclosure provides an endotracheal tube with a tip suitable for traversing the laryngeal inlet and with a guiding channel having a proximal opening adjacent a proximal end portion and a distal opening adjacent to a tip, wherein the guiding channel is adjacent a sidewall of the main lumen of the tube, which allows more accurate wire-guided intubation of a patient, a method and a kit relating to the same.

1 . An endotracheal tube for use in a wire-guided intubation procedure, the endotracheal tube comprising:
 a main lumen and a sidewall;   a proximal end portion suitable for attachment to a breathing circuit, which end portion in use protrudes from the mouth or nose of a patient;   a distal end portion suitable for insertion into the nose and/or mouth of the patient, the distal end portion having a tip suitable for traversing the laryngeal inlet of the patient; and   a guide housing means running between the portions having a proximal opening adjacent to the proximal end portion and a distal opening adjacent to the tip, wherein the guide housing means is adjacent to the sidewall of the main lumen and is suitable for slidingly receiving an anterograde or a retrograde guide during an intubation procedure to allow the tube to follow the guide into the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The endotracheal tube of  claim 1 , wherein the guide housing means runs along a long axis of the tube from the proximal end portion to the tip. 
     
     
         3 . The endotracheal tube of  claim 1 , wherein the guide housing means comprises a tubular channel or passage. 
     
     
         4 . The endotracheal tube of  claim 1 , wherein the guide housing means comprises a tubular channel or passage and is integral with the sidewall of the tube. 
     
     
         5 . The endotracheal tube of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end is slanted or beveled to create the tip. 
     
     
         6 . The endotracheal tube of  claim 1 , wherein the distal opening is at an end of the tip. 
     
     
         7 . The endotracheal tube of  claim 1 , wherein the guide housing means comprises a tubular channel or passage and is integral with the sidewall of the tube and wherein the tubular channel or passage has a smooth and continuous lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The endotracheal tube of  claim 1 , which is absent a predetermined curve. 
     
     
         9 . The endotracheal tube of  claim 1  comprising silicone-reinforced material except for the tip, which is un-reinforced silicone and relatively more deformable. 
     
     
         10 . A kit for wire-guided endotracheal intubation comprising:
 an endotracheal tube comprising:
 a main lumen and a sidewall; 
 a proximal end portion suitable for attachment to a breathing circuit, which end portion in use protrudes from the mouth or nose of a patient; 
 a distal end portion for insertion into the nose and/or mouth of the patient, the distal end portion having a tip suitable for traversing the laryngeal inlet of the patient; and 
 a guide housing means running between the portions having a proximal opening adjacent to the proximal end portion and a distal opening adjacent to the tip, wherein the guide housing means is adjacent to the sidewall of the main lumen and is suitable for slidingly receiving an anterograde or a retrograde guide during an intubation procedure to allow the tube to follow the guide into the patient; and 
   a suitable guide wire.   
     
     
         11 . An improved method of endotracheal intubation comprising:
 introducing a suitable anterograde guide into the nose or mouth of a patient in a standard manner or introducing a retrograde guide by passing an end of a guide through into the larynx of a patient and retrieving the end from the nose or mouth of a patient in a standard manner;   advancing into the patient's trachea an endotracheal tube of suitable length, wherein the endotracheal tube comprises:
 a main lumen and a sidewall; 
 a proximal end portion suitable for attachment to a breathing circuit; 
 a distal end portion having a tip suitable for traversing the laryngeal inlet of a patient; and 
 a guide housing means running between the portions having a proximal opening adjacent to the proximal end portion and a distal opening adjacent to the tip, wherein the guide housing means is adjacent to the sidewall of the main lumen and is suitable for slidingly receiving an anterograde or a retrograde guide during an intubation procedure to allow the tube to follow the guide into the patient; 
   wherein the tube is advanced anterograde by sliding the tube over the guide into its desired position.   
     
     
         12 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the guide housing means of the endotracheal tube runs along a long axis of the tube from the proximal end portion to the tip. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the guide housing means of the endotracheal tube comprises a tubular channel or passage. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the guide housing means of the endotracheal tube comprises a tubular channel or passage and is integral with the sidewall of the tube. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the distal end of the endotracheal tube is slanted or beveled to create the tip. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the distal opening of the endotracheal tube is at an end of the tip. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the guide housing means of the endotracheal tube comprises a tubular channel or passage and is integral with the sidewall of the tube and wherein the channel or passage has a smooth and continuous lumen. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the guide housing means of the endotracheal tube is absent a predetermined curve. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the guide housing means of the endotracheal tube comprises silicone-reinforced material except for the tip, which is un-reinforced silicone and relatively more deformable.