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 . A stylet adapted for mounting an endotracheal tube, the stylet comprising:
 a shaft comprising a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment comprises a tip at a distal end of the shaft;   an articulating portion arranged between the first segment and the second segment that allows the first segment to move relative to the second segment;   a control mechanism configured to control movement of the first segment relative to the second segment; and   wherein the stylet is sized to allow the endotracheal tube to be passed over it from end to end.   
     
     
         2 . The stylet of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle, wherein the handle is configured to actuate the control mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The stylet of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is removeable from the stylet. 
     
     
         4 . The stylet of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a first cable therein, the first cable connected to a first cable connection point at the first segment and connected to a second cable connection point at the second segment. 
     
     
         5 . The stylet of  claim 4 , wherein application of a force to the first cable causes articulation of the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The stylet of  claim 4 , wherein the shaft comprises a lumen and the first cable extends through the lumen. 
     
     
         7 . The stylet of  claim 4 , further comprising a second cable, the second cable connected to the articulating portion at a first end and connected to the control mechanism at an opposing end. 
     
     
         8 . The stylet of  claim 7 , wherein the shaft comprises a first lumen and a second lumen, wherein the first cable extends through the first lumen, and the second cable extends through the second lumen. 
     
     
         9 . The stylet of  claim 7 , wherein the shaft comprises a first lumen, and wherein the first cable and the second cable extends through the first lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The stylet of  claim 1 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a lever, and wherein the lever is pivotable in a first direction and a second direction, and further wherein when the lever is pivoted in the first direction, the tip pivots in the first direction. 
     
     
         11 . The stylet of  claim 1 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a lever, and wherein the lever is pivotable in a first direction and a second direction, and further wherein when the lever is pivoted in the first direction, the tip pivots in the second direction. 
     
     
         12 . The stylet of  claim 10 , wherein the first direction is towards a longitudinal axis of the shaft and wherein the second direction is away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The stylet of  claim 10 , wherein the first direction is away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft and wherein the second direction is towards the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The stylet of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of depth assessment bands on the shaft, each depth assessment band visually distinct from an adjacent depth assessment band. 
     
     
         15 . A method of using the stylet of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 inserting the tip of the stylet into a patient;   receiving a first input at the control mechanism of the stylet;   articulating the tip of the stylet towards an entrance of a trachea in response to the first input;   receiving a second input; and   guiding the stylet through the trachea of the patient in response to the second input.   
     
     
         16 . A method of positioning an endotracheal tube in a patient comprising:
 inserting a blade of a laryngoscope in a mouth of the patient;   viewing a trachea of the patient;   inserting a stylet into an airway of the patient, the stylet comprising a shaft comprising   a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment comprises a tip at a distal end of the shaft;   an articulating portion arranged between the first segment and the second segment that allows the first segment to move relative to the second segment;   a control mechanism configured to control movement of the first segment relative to the second segment; and   wherein the stylet is sized to allow the endotracheal tube to be passed over it from end to end;   viewing the tip of the stylet with the laryngoscope;   articulating the tip of the stylet towards an entrance of the trachea;   inserting the stylet further into the airway of the patient until the stylet is inserted to an appropriate depth, mounting the endotracheal tube on the stylet;   sliding the endotracheal tube along the stylet and into the trachea of the patient; and removing the stylet from the endotracheal tube, while the endotracheal tube remains in the patient.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the stylet comprises depth assessment bands on an exterior surface of the stylet, the depth assessment bands having visually distinct colors or patterns and the method further comprises viewing the depth assessment bands with the laryngoscope. 
     
     
         18 . A tracheal intubation system comprising:
 a stylet comprising:
 a shaft comprising a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment comprises a tip at a distal end of the shaft; 
 an articulating portion arranged between the first segment and the second segment that allows the first segment to move relative to the second segment; 
 a control mechanism configured to control movement of the first segment relative to the second segment; 
   a laryngoscope comprising:
 a blade having a blade first end and a blade second end, 
 a handle coupled to the blade first end, 
 an optical capture device coupled to the blade second end, and 
 a display device, wherein the display device is configured to display an image captured by the optical capture device; and 
   an endotracheal tube comprising:
 a hollow tube having a tube first end and a tube second end, and 
 wherein the stylet is sized to allow the endotracheal tube to be passed over it from end to end. 
   
     
     
         19 . The stylet of  claim 18 , further comprising a handle, wherein the handle is configured to articulate the control mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The stylet of  claim 18 , wherein the handle is removeable from the stylet. 
     
     
         21 . The tracheal intubation system of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of depth assessment bands located on the shaft, each depth assessment band visually distinct from an adjacent depth assessment band,
 a first depth assessment band located near the distal end, and having a first visual representation, wherein when the first depth assessment band is positioned adjacent the vocal cords of a patient, the first depth assessment band indicates that the tip has not been inserted to an appropriate depth;   a second depth assessment band located adjacent the first depth assessment band, and having a second visual representation, wherein when the second depth assessment band is positioned adjacent the vocal cords of the patient, the second depth assessment band indicates that the tip has been inserted to an appropriate depth; and   a third depth assessment band located near the distal end, and having a third visual representation, wherein when the third depth assessment band is positioned adjacent the vocal cords of a patient, the third depth assessment band indicates that the tip has not been inserted to an appropriate depth.   
     
     
         22 . The stylet of  claim 18 , further comprising a sealing mechanism configured to seal an airway of a patient. 
     
     
         23 . A stylet for mounting an endotracheal tube, the stylet comprising:
 a shaft comprising a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment of the shaft comprises distal end comprising a tip;   a plurality of depth assessment bands located on the shaft, each depth assessment band visually distinct from an adjacent depth assessment band,   a first depth assessment band located near the distal end, and having a first visual representation, wherein when the first depth assessment band is positioned adjacent the vocal cords of a patient, the first depth assessment band indicates that the tip has not been inserted to an appropriate depth;   a second depth assessment band located adjacent the first depth assessment band, and having a second visual representation, wherein when the second depth assessment band is positioned adjacent the vocal cords of the patient, the second depth assessment band indicates that the tip has been inserted to an appropriate depth; and   a third depth assessment band located near the distal end, and having a third visual representation, wherein when the third depth assessment band is positioned adjacent the vocal cords of a patient, the third depth assessment band indicates that the tip has not been inserted to an appropriate depth; and   wherein the stylet is sized to allow an endotracheal tube to be passed over it from end to end.   
     
     
         24 . The stylet of  claim 23 , wherein the shaft is hollow and comprises an opening at the tip and a second opening at the distal end. 
     
     
         25 . A method for using the stylet of  claim 23 , comprising
 inserting a blade of a laryngoscope in a mouth of the patient;   viewing a trachea of the patient;   inserting the stylet into an airway of the patient,   viewing a tip of the stylet with the laryngoscope;   articulating the tip of the stylet towards an entrance of the trachea;   inserting the stylet further into the airway of the patient until the stylet is inserted to an appropriate depth,   mounting the endotracheal tube on the stylet;   sliding an endotracheal tube along the stylet and into the trachea of the patient; and   removing the stylet from the endotracheal tube, while the endotracheal tube remains in the patient.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein inserting the stylet into the airway of the patient further comprises viewing the depth assessment bands with the laryngoscope until the stylet is inserted to an appropriate depth, without the need for a user to count the depth assessment bands. 
     
     
         27 . A tracheal intubation system comprising:
 the stylet of  claim 23 ;   a laryngoscope comprising:
 a blade having a blade first end and a blade second end, 
 a handle coupled to the blade first end, 
 an optical capture device coupled to the blade second end, and 
 a display device, wherein the display device is configured to display an image captured by the optical capture device; and 
   an endotracheal tube comprising:
 a hollow tube having a tube first end and a tube second end, and 
   wherein the stylet is sized to allow the endotracheal tube to be passed over it from end to end.   
     
     
         28 . An endotracheal tube comprising:
 a hollow shaft comprising a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment of the shaft comprises distal end comprising a tip;   a plurality of depth assessment bands located on the shaft, each depth assessment band visually distinct from an adjacent depth assessment band,   a first depth assessment band located near the distal end, and having a first visual representation, wherein when the first depth assessment band is positioned adjacent the vocal cords of a patient, the first depth assessment band indicates that the tip has not been inserted to an appropriate depth;   a second depth assessment band located adjacent the first depth assessment band, and having a second visual representation, wherein when the second depth assessment band is positioned adjacent the vocal cords of the patient, the second depth assessment band indicates that the tip has been inserted to an appropriate depth; and   a third depth assessment band located near the distal end, and having a third visual representation, wherein when the third depth assessment band is positioned adjacent the vocal cords of a patient, the third depth assessment band indicates that the tip has not been inserted to an appropriate depth.   
     
     
         29 . A method for using the endotracheal tube of  claim 28 , comprising
 inserting a blade of a laryngoscope in a mouth of the patient;   viewing a trachea of the patient;   inserting the endotracheal tube into an airway of the patient;   viewing a tip of the endotracheal tube with the laryngoscope; and   inserting the endotracheal tube further into the airway of the patient until the stylet is inserted to an appropriate depth.   
     
     
         30 . A tracheal intubation system comprising:
 the endotracheal tube of  claim 28 ; and   a laryngoscope comprising:
 a blade having a blade first end and a blade second end, 
 a handle coupled to the blade first end, 
 an optical capture device coupled to the blade second end, and 
 a display device, wherein the display device is configured to display an image captured by the optical capture device. 
   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein inserting the endotracheal tube into the airway of the patient further comprises viewing the depth assessment bands with the laryngoscope until the endotracheal tube is inserted to an appropriate depth, without the need for a user to count the depth assessment bands.