Spiral slit endotracheal tube

Abstract

An endotracheal tube comprising a flexible hollow tube with a spiral slit traversing a substantial length of the tube. The slit has edges that separate to create an opening by which the tube may be spiral wound onto a medical device, such as a fiber optic bronchoscope, that is in use in a pharynx passage. The angle of the slit is preferably in the range of 30 - 60 degrees.

Having described my invention, I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for spirally winding an endotracheal tube onto a medical device already in use in a laryngo-tracheo-bronchial tree, the endotracheal tube comprising a flexible hollow tube, a spiral slit traversing a substantial length of the tube, the slit having edges that separate to create an opening by which the tube may be spiral wound onto the medical device, said method comprising:
 starting at a distal end of the endotracheal tube, separating the spiral slit and placing the distal end of the endotracheal tube over the medical device at an accessible location along the length of the medical device; and   spirally winding the endotracheal tube around the medical device and advancing the endotracheal tube along the medical device until the endotracheal tube is fully wound over the medical device.