Method for locating the illuminated tip of an endotracheal tube
US4567882A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 1984 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/2676
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improvement in catheters and other medical tubes and in the method of use thereof, which facilitates the precise positioning of the tips of such tubes within body passages. The improved method and device are particularly useful in the care and treatment of premature infants. The medical tube has a fiberoptic light conductor extending lengthwise through the wall thereof, the conductor ending in a light emitting and redirecting terminus adjacent the tube's free or distal end. The opposite end of the conductor is operatively connected to an external source of high-intensity light in the visible range. Light emitted laterally from the tip of such an indwelling tube may be visually and externally observed through the body wall of the patient for accurately and quickly determining the anatomical location of that tip. In a preferred embodiment, the tube is formed of transparent, flexible, thermoplastic material and the light-emitting terminus of the conductor is beveled and is completely embedded within the wall of the tube, so that light emitted from the terminus must pass through the tube's transparent wall.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.