Medical device, and the methods of using same

Abstract

A medical device is provided for insertion into a cavity of a patient to visual the internal membranes of the patient. The medical device can be an endotracheal tube, a suction tube, a bronchoscope, a tube changer, an esophageal tube, an intubating tube, an esophageal tube in combination with a separate intubating tube, a device for manipulating the position of the epiglottis of the patient, a stylet, or a tube insertable into the vagina of the patient. The medical device has a camera lumen having a sealed window at one end thereof attached thereto, and a separate camera which is insertable into the camera lumen and is removable from the camera lumen. The camera is used to monitor the internal membranes of the patient during the medical procedure.

1 . An assembly comprising:
 a medical device for insertion into a cavity of a patient, said medical device comprising:   a wall having a proximal end and a distal end, and a passageway extending between said proximal and distal ends;   a camera lumen having a sealed window at one end thereof said camera lumen attached to said wall of said medical device, and said sealed window being proximate to said distal end of said wall; and   a separate camera insertable into said camera lumen, said camera being removable from said camera lumen.   
     
     
         2 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said medical device is a suction tube for use in suctioning the cavity of the patient; said distal end of said wall having a series of perforations therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said suction tube is curved along its length. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , further including a connector provided at said proximal end of said suction tube, said connector having two ports. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said medical device is a bronchoscope for use in intubating the patient. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said medical device is a tube changer used for changing one endotracheal tube for another endotracheal tube, said wall of said tube changer having graduation marks thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , further including a connector attached to said proximal end of said wall, said connector being capable of being connected to a ventilator. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said camera lumen is slidably connected to said tube changer. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said medical device is a tube insertable into the vagina of a patient. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said medical device comprises an esophageal tube for use in monitoring breath sounds of the patient, said esophageal tube formed of said wall, and a separate intubating tube connected to said esophageal tube, said intubating tube for use in intubating the patient using an endotracheal tube, said intubating tube formed of a wall having a passageway therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said wall of esophageal tube has first and second arcuate portions connected to each other by curved end portions, said wall of esophageal tube having an open proximal end providing a proximal inlet opening, said wall of esophageal tube having a generally conical end portion having an aperture therethrough provided at a distal end of said wall, said passageway of esophageal tube extending through said wall of esophageal tube and through the conical end portion, said aperture being in communication with said passageway of esophageal tube. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said esophageal tube is curved along its length, and said intubating tube is curved along its length. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 16 , further including a slot through said wall of said intubating tube which is in fluid communication with said passageway of said intubating tube, said slot extending from a proximal end to a distal end of said wall of said intubating tube, said slot in said intubating tube is opposite to the point of connection of said intubating tube to said esophageal tube. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A medical device for insertion into a cavity of a patient for use in determining the status of the internal membranes of the patient comprising:
 an intubating tube for use in intubating the patient using an endotracheal tube, said intubating tube formed of a body having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated recess formed in said body having a proximal end, a distal end and a length, said recess generally extending from said proximal end of said body to said distal end of said body;   a sleeve connected to said intubating tube, said sleeve being C-shaped such that an elongated slot is formed, said sleeve being rotatable relative to said intubating tube, said sleeve having a length which is less than the length of the recess;   a camera lumen having a sealed window at one end thereof, said camera lumen attached to said intubating tube, said sealed window being positioned proximate to said distal end of said recess;   a separate camera insertable into said camera lumen, said camera being removable from said camera lumen.   
     
     
         22 . The medical device of  claim 21 , further including an endotracheal tube inserted within said recess. 
     
     
         23 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein said body has a generally conical tip at said distal end, said tip having a weight therein. 
     
     
         24 . The medical device of  claim 21 , wherein said recess is curved along its length such that in cross-section said recess is generally arcuate and forms a proximal curved ramp surface. 
     
     
         25 . A medical device for insertion into a mouth of a patient for manipulating the position of the epiglottis of the patient for intubation, said medical device comprising:
 a handle having proximal and distal ends;   a curved body extending from an end of said handle;   a finger grip handle extending from said handle at an angle thereto and at said proximal end of said body, said finger grip handle capable of being flexed relative to said handle;   a tip provided at said distal end of said body, said tip capable of being flexed relative to said body;   a camera lumen having a sealed window at one end thereof said camera lumen attached to said body, said sealed window being positioned proximate to said body; and   a separate camera insertable into said camera lumen, said camera being removable from said camera lumen.   
     
     
         26 . The medical device of  claim 25 , further including a disposable sleeve conforming to said tip and said body, said sleeve formed of a thin plastic material, said sleeve having apertures therethrough. 
     
     
         27 . A medical device for insertion into a cavity of a patient comprising:
 a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end;   a camera lumen having a sealed window at one end thereof said camera lumen attached to said stylet, said sealed window being positioned proximate to said distal end of said stylet; and   a separate camera insertable into said camera lumen, said camera being removable from said camera lumen.