Intubation delivery systems and methods

Abstract

Various methods and systems for delivery of an ETT for intubation are provided. In one example, an ETT delivery system comprises a rail system, where the rail system comprises at least one rail. In some examples the rail system engages with an ETT and at least partially defines an ETT delivery path. Additionally, the ETT delivery system may further include a delivery mechanism operatively linked with the rail system. Further, a blade may be attached to the rail system. In a further example, the ETT delivery system may comprise an ETT steering mechanism comprising an upper lip and a lower lip, where adjusting the orientation of the lower lip may adjust a tip direction of the ETT.

1 . An ETT delivery system, comprising:
 a rail system comprising at least one rail, where the rail system engages with an ETT and at least partially defines an ETT delivery path;   a delivery mechanism operatively linked with the rail system to deliver the ETT along the ETT delivery path; and   a blade attached to the rail system.   
     
     
         2 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the blade comprises one or more tube guides to temporarily couple the ETT to the blade. 
     
     
         3 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the blade is releasably attached to the rail system. 
     
     
         4 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the blade is a disposable blade. 
     
     
         5 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the ETT delivery path comprises position components. 
     
     
         6 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 5 , wherein the ETT delivery path further comprises distance components. 
     
     
         7 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a positioner operatively linked with the rail system to enable movement in one or more degrees of freedom in positioning the ETT. 
     
     
         8 . An ETT delivery system, comprising:
 a handle unit;   a guide mechanism coupled to the handle unit;   an ETT steering mechanism coupled to the guide mechanism, the ETT steering mechanism comprising an upper lip and a lower lip; and   a lip adjuster coupled to the handle unit, the lip adjuster actuatable to adjust an orientation of the bottom lip, where adjusting the orientation of the bottom lip adjusts a tip direction of an ETT that is moved through the ETT steering mechanism.   
     
     
         9 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein adjusting the orientation of the bottom lip includes pivoting the bottom lip about a first axis. 
     
     
         10 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 9 , wherein the upper lip is pivotable about a second axis. 
     
     
         11 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom lip comprises a channel. 
     
     
         12 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the upper lip is biased to maintain contact with the ETT that is moved through the guide mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein the upper lip comprises a laryngoscope blade and one or more sensors. 
     
     
         14 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the ETT is moved via one or more rollers coupled to the handle unit. 
     
     
         15 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 14 , wherein the ETT is received in the handle unit. 
     
     
         16 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the bottom lip is adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. 
     
     
         17 . The ETT delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the lip adjuster comprises a user-actuatable input device that adjusts the orientation of the bottom lip. 
     
     
         18 . A method for positioning an ETT using an ETT delivery system, the method comprising:
 determining a travel distance for an ETT intubation;   adjusting a rail system of the ETT delivery system to correspond to the determined travel distance;   engaging an ETT along the rail system; and   delivering the ETT into a trachea for the ETT intubation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein determining the travel distance for the ETT intubation and adjusting the rail system of the ETT delivery system is accomplished via one or more automatic machine guidance mechanisms. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein engaging the ETT along the rail system includes releasably engaging the ETT via one or more rollers.