Endotracheal tube and method of intubation

Claim 2

An endotracheal tube comprising: a flexible outer tube member having a first and second open end, said second end of said outer tube member having a size narrow enough to be passed through the mouth of a patient towards the patient's larynx, wherein said second end engages said patient's larynx and is prevented from advancing past the vocal folds in the patient's larynx; and a flexible inner tube member having an open distal end and an open proximal end, said inner tube member being reciprocally movable within said outer tube member, wherein said distal end of said inner tube member can be selectively extended a desired distance beyond said second end of said outer tube member through said vocal folds and into the patient's trachea.

Claim 3

The endotracheal tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second end of said outer tube member includes a radially extending flange member, said flange member contacting the patient's larynx as said second end of said outer tube member is advanced within the patient, said flange member preventing the advancement of said second end beyond said larynx.

Claim 4

The endotracheal tube in accordance with claim 2 wherein said flange member is shaped to position said distal end of said inner tube member over the gap between said vocal folds of the patient's larynx as said flange member contacts said larynx.

Claim 5

The endotracheal tube in accordance with claim 2 wherein said flange member is shaped to substantially prevent the flow of gases through said larynx past said flange member other than through said inner tube member.

Claim 6

The endotracheal tube in accordance with claim 2 wherein said flange member is contoured to substantially match the curvatures of said larynx engaged by said flange member.

Claim 7

The endotracheal tube in accordance with claim 1 further including an indicating means for providing a visual indication indicative of the value of said desired distance.

Claim 8

The endotracheal tube in accordance with claim 1 further including a retaining means for retaining said inner tube at a desired position within said outer tube member.

Claim 9

The endotracheal tube in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second end of said outer tube member creates a substantially gas tight seal around said inner tube member thereby preventing the flow of gases in between said inner tube member and said outer tube member.

Claim 10

The endotracheal tube in accordance with claim 2 wherein said flange member includes a cushioned surface, said cushioned surface contacting said larynx and substantially conforming to the contours of said larynx, wherein said cushioned surface reduces trauma to said larynx.

Claim 11

An endotracheal tube for use in an intubation procedure wherein said endotracheal tube is introduced into the trachea of a patient past the vocal folds in a patient's larynx, said endotracheal tube comprising: a flexible conduit means having an open distal end and an open proximal end, thereby allowing the flow of gases therethrough, wherein said distal end is sized to fit between said vocal folds; and engagement means positioned a known distance from said distal end, said engagement means engaging said larynx at a plurality of points, preventing the advancement of said engagement means beyond said vocal folds within said larynx as said distal end is advanced toward the patient's trachea, said distal end thereby being positioned beyond said plurality of points by said known distance, whereby said distal end extends through and beyond said larynx into the patient's trachea.

Claim 12

An endotracheal tube for use in an intubation procedure wherein said endotracheal tube is introduced into the trachea of a patient past the vocal folds in a patient's larynx, said endotracheal tube comprising: a flexible conduit means having an open distal end and an open proximal end, thereby allowing the flow of gases therethrough, wherein said distal end is sized to fit between said vocal folds; and engagement means positioned a known distance from said distal end, said engagement means engaging said larynx at a plurality of points, preventing the advancement of said engagement means beyond said vocal folds within said larynx as said distal end is advanced toward the patient's trachea, said distal end thereby being positioned beyond said plurality of points by said known distance, whereby said distal end extends through and beyond said larynx into the patient's trachea.

Claim 13

The endotracheal tube according to claim 10 further including an adjustment means for selectively adjusting said know distance between said distal end and said engagement means.

Claim 14

The endotracheal tube according to claim 10 wherein said engagement means includes a flange radially extending from said flexible conduit means, said flange having larger width than the gap between vocal folds in the patient's larynx, thereby preventing the passage of said flange beyond said vocal folds.

Claim 15

The endotracheal tube according to claim 12 wherein said engagement means is contoured to substantially match the shape of said larynx where said engagement means contacts said larynx.

Claim 16

The endotracheal tube according to claim 10 wherein said engagement means includes a cushioned surface, said cushioned surface contacting said larynx and substantially conforming to the contours of said larynx.

Claim 17

The endotracheal tube according to claim 10 further including an indicating means for providing a visual indication indicative of the value of said known distance.

Claim 18

The endotracheal tube according to claim 11 further including a locking means for retaining said distal end at one desired distance beyond said engagement means.

Claim 21

The method according to claim 17 further including the step of locking said inner tube member in a set position relative said outer tube member.

Claim 22

The method according to claim 17 further including the step of creating a gas barrier above said larynx by the contact of said outer tube member with said larynx, said gas barrier substantially hindering the passage of gas in or out of said larynx other than through said inner tube member.

Claim 23

The method according to claim 17 further including the step of providing a visual indication indicative of said desired length said inner tube member extends into the trachea of the patient.

Claim 26

The method according to claim 21, further including the step of creating a gas barrier by the contact of said engagement means with said larynx, said gas barrier substantially hindering the passage of gas in and out of the trachea other than through said flexible conduit.