Systems and Methods for Monitoring End Tidal Carbon Monoxide

Abstract

Systems and methods for measurement of end tidal carbon dioxide, including a device having a body and a tubular gas line. The body is adapted to be attached to a patient airway and has a first gas line securing portion which has an aperture through it and is adapted to secure the gas line to the body. The tubular gas line is secured in the aperture. The tubular gas line has a proximal portion extending from a proximal end of the aperture and has a proximal end which is adapted to be connected to an end tidal CO2 monitor. The tubular gas line also has a distal portion extending from a distal end of the aperture and having a distal end which provides an inlet for end tidal CO2 exhaled by a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a body which is adapted to be attached to a patient airway,
 wherein the body has a first gas line securing portion adapted to secure a gas line to the body, the first gas line securing portion having an aperture therethrough; and 
   a tubular gas line secured in the aperture,
 the tubular gas line having a proximal portion extending from a proximal end of the aperture and having a proximal end adapted to be connected to an end tidal CO2 monitor, 
 the tubular gas line having a distal portion extending from a distal end of the aperture and having a distal end which provides an inlet for end tidal CO2 exhaled by a patient. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a front plate, wherein when the device is secured to the patient airway, the front plate is adjacent to a proximal face of the patient airway. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising an adhesive positioned on a distal side of the front plate, wherein the adhesive secures a distal side of the front plate to the proximal face of the patient airway and thereby secures the device to the patient airway. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the front plate is generally planar and has an oval annular shape which is substantially the same as a front flange of the patient airway. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the first gas line securing portion of the body extends into a central opening in the oval annular front plate and wherein when the device is secured to the patient airway, the distal portion of the tubular gas line extends into a central passageway of the patient airway. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the patient airway comprises a bite block, the device further comprising a separation wall connected to the front plate, wherein when the device is secured to the bite block, the separation wall extends into a central passageway of the bite block and partitions the central passageway into a first, larger portion and a second, smaller portion, wherein the distal portion of the tubular gas line is positioned in the second portion of the central passageway and is thereby isolated from the first portion of the central passageway. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the distal portion of the tubular gas line is isolated from contact with instruments that are inserted into the first portion of the central passageway. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive positioned on the body, wherein the adhesive is adapted to secure the body to the patient airway. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the tubular gas line is tapered with respect to an axis of the tubular gas line. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein a face of the distal end of the tubular gas line forms an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees with an axis of the tubular gas line. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a second gas line securing portion adapted to secure a second gas line to the body, the second gas line securing portion having an aperture therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . A device comprising:
 a body which is adapted to be attached to a patient airway,
 wherein the body has a gas line securing portion adapted to secure a gas line to the body; and 
   a tubular gas line secured to the body,
 the tubular gas line having a proximal portion extending from the body and having a proximal end adapted to be connected to an end tidal CO2 monitor, 
 the tubular gas line having a distal portion extending from the body and having a distal end which provides an inlet for end tidal CO2 exhaled by a patient. 
   
     
     
         13 . A method for providing a conduit in a patient airway to monitor end tidal CO2, the method comprising:
 providing an attachment body, the attachment body having a conduit therethrough;   securing the attachment body to a patient airway so that a distal portion of the conduit is secured in a predetermined position with respect to the patient airway;   positioning the patient airway in a patient's mouth; and   coupling a proximal end of the conduit to a CO2 monitor.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising conveying end tidal CO2 exhaled by the patient through the conduit to the CO2 monitor and measuring the end tidal CO2 exhaled by the patient.