Tracheal intubation system including a laryngoscope

Abstract

A tracheal intubation system including a laryngoscope is disclosed. An endotracheal tube exchange system is also disclosed. In some examples, the system includes a laryngoscope, a stylet, and an endotracheal tube. In some examples the stylet is an articulating stylet. An endotracheal tube with one or more depth-assessment bands is also disclosed. An articulating stylet with one or more depth-assessment bands and an orientation mark is also disclosed. A method of positioning an endotracheal tube in a patient is also disclosed. A method of positioning a stylet for placement of an endotracheal tube is also disclosed. A method of performing an endotracheal tube exchange procedure is also disclosed.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A stylet adapted for mounting an endotracheal tube, the stylet comprising:
 a shaft; and   at least one depth assessment band on the shaft, the at least one depth assessment band being visually distinct from an adjacent portion of the shaft, wherein the at least one depth assessment band on the shaft is configured to indicate a placement of the stylet when viewed in proximity to a glottis of a patient.   
     
     
         11 . The stylet of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one depth assessment band contacts at least one other depth assessment band. 
     
     
         12 . The stylet of  claim 10 , wherein the stylet further comprises:
 a first depth assessment band having a first dimension along a length of the shaft; and   a second depth assessment band having a second dimension along the length of the shaft, the first dimension different than the second dimension.   
     
     
         13 . The stylet of  claim 10 , wherein the stylet further comprises:
 a first depth assessment band having a first color; and   a second depth assessment band having a second color different than the first color.   
     
     
         14 . The stylet of  claim 10 , wherein the stylet further comprises:
 a first depth assessment band having a first pattern; and   a second depth assessment band having a second pattern different than the first pattern.   
     
     
         15 . The stylet of  claim 10 , wherein the stylet further comprises:
 a first depth assessment band having a first color and a first pattern; and   a second depth assessment band having a second color different than the first color and a second pattern different than the first pattern.   
     
     
         16 . The stylet of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an orientation mark on the shaft and configured to indicate a radial orientation of the shaft about a longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         17 . The stylet of  claim 10 , wherein the shaft includes a tip that is rounded and closed. 
     
     
         18 . The stylet of  claim 10 , wherein the shaft further comprises:
 an exterior surface configured to be sterilized without using an autoclave.   
     
     
         19 . A tracheal intubation system comprising:
 a stylet comprising:
 a shaft; 
 at least one depth assessment band on the shaft, the at least one depth assessment band being visually distinct from an adjacent portion of the shaft; and 
   a laryngoscope for viewing the at least one depth assessment band and a glottis of a patient at a same time.   
     
     
         20 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a hollow tube configured to be placed in an airway of the patient using the stylet, wherein the at least one depth assessment band on the shaft is configured to indicate a placement of the hollow tube when viewed in proximity to the glottis of the patient; and   a sealing mechanism coupled with the hollow tube and configured to seal the airway of the patient.   
     
     
         21 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 20 , wherein the hollow tube is positioned on the stylet before the stylet is inserted into the patient. 
     
     
         22 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 20 , wherein the hollow tube is slide onto the stylet after the stylet is inserted into the patient. 
     
     
         23 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 19 , wherein the laryngoscope further comprises:
 a blade having a first end configured to be inserted into a mouth of the patient.   
     
     
         24 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 19 , wherein the laryngoscope further comprises:
 an optical capture device configured to capture an image that includes the at least one depth assessment band and the glottis of the patient.   
     
     
         25 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 24 , wherein the laryngoscope further comprises:
 a display device configured to display the image captured by the optical capture device that includes the at least one depth assessment band and the glottis of the patient.   
     
     
         26 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 19 , wherein the stylet further comprises:
 an orientation mark on the shaft and configured to indicate a radial orientation of the shaft about a longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         27 . A method of positioning an endotracheal tube in a patient, comprising:
 inserting a laryngoscope in a mouth of the patient;   mounting the endotracheal tube on a stylet having at least one depth assessment band on an exterior surface of the stylet, the at least one depth assessment band being visually distinct from an adjacent depth assessment band;   inserting the stylet into an airway of the patient;   monitoring, using the laryngoscope, a position of the at least one depth assessment band relative to a glottis of the patient;   modifying a depth that the stylet is inserted into the airway of the patient until the at least one depth assessment band indicates that the stylet is positioned at an appropriate depth in the patient; and   sliding the endotracheal tube along the stylet and into a trachea of the patient.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 determining that the endotracheal tube is positioned in a zone of caution based at least in part on monitoring the position of the at least one depth assessment band relative to the glottis of the patient, wherein modifying the depth of the stylet is based at least in part on determining that the endotracheal tube is positioned in the zone of caution.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein inserting the laryngoscope further comprises:
 inserting a blade of the laryngoscope in the mouth of the patient, wherein inserting the stylet into the airway of the patient is based at least in part on inserting the blade.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein modifying the depth that the stylet is inserted into the airway of the patient further comprises:
 inserting the stylet at least partially into the airway of the patient based at least in part on monitoring the position of the at least one depth assessment band relative to the glottis of the patient.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein modifying the depth that the stylet is inserted into the airway of the patient further comprises:
 withdrawing the stylet at least partially out of the airway of the patient based at least in part on monitoring the position of the at least one depth assessment band relative to the glottis of the patient.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein monitoring the position of the at least one depth assessment band uses one or more images captured by an optical capture device of the laryngoscope. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein mounting the endotracheal tube on the stylet occurs after inserting the stylet into the airway of the patient.