Blind intubation device and related methodologies for endotracheal intubation

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method to facilitate insertion of the endotracheal tube into the patient's trachea.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for aiding endotracheal intubation comprises:
 a funnel with a curved cannulated stem that is configured for oral insertion into a patients throat;   a lever arm tucked into a tip of the stem so that a nub of the lever arm is disposed within the curved cannulated stem;   an endotracheal tube; and,   wherein after the curved cannulated stem is orally inserted into the patients throat the endotracheal tube is (a) passed through the funnel and curved cannulated stem to press the nub and extend the lever arm from the tip into contact with the patient's epiglottis and (b) directed by the curved cannulated stem away from the esophagus and into the trachea.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cannulated stem additionally comprises at least two wings fixed to the straight end of the airway, the wings configured to prevent the airway from slipping further than desired into the patient's mouth. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cannulated stem additionally comprises a ring fixed to the straight end of the airway, the ring configured to prevent the airway from slipping further than desired into the patient's mouth. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lever arm includes a perforated pad disposed over the end of the cannulated stem to be inserted first into the patient's mouth. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the perforated pad has substantially the same diameter as the tip of the cannulated stem to which it is attached. 
     
     
         6 . The pad of  claim 4 , wherein said pad is engaged via an engagement means. 
     
     
         7 . The pad of  claim 4 , wherein said pad has at least one perforation sufficiently large as to allow for adequate air passage should the engagement means fail to engage and the airway remains closed. 
     
     
         8 . A blind endotracheal intubation apparatus comprising:
 a funnel and;   a endotracheal tube and;   a cannulated stem and;   a lever.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the cannulated stem comprises wings configured to prevent the over insertion of said cannulated to stem. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the lever is connected by a hinge to a proximal end of the cannulated stem, the lever configured to prevent the epiglottis from occluding said cannulated stem. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the lever opens from said cannulated stem to make a 130-135 degree angle relative to a plane parallel to the proximal end of said cannulated stem. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the cannulated stem has a hole 14 mm in diameter that travels unimpeded from said proximal end to a distal end. 
     
     
         13 . An endotracheal intubation apparatus comprising:
 a funnel;   a curved cannulated stem configured to have a circular shape;   a endotracheal tube configured to be guided through said cannulated stem and,   a lever stored in said cannulated stem connected by a hinge to deploy said lever   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said funnel when deployed will deposit said lever to contact an epiglottis. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said cannulated stem is configured to form a curved shape. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the cannulated stem is configured to allow said endotracheal tube to pass though said cannulated stem. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the apparatus is made from metal or plastic. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the planes parallel to both the proximal and the distal ends will have normal vectors that are not parallel. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein a tube clamp is attached by sharing congruent geometries to said endotracheal tube. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the cannulated stem is configured to not enter an esophagus.