Patent · US Expired

Copa method for fiberoptic endotracheal intubation

US5976072A · kind A · utility

53Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 29, 1998
Grant dateNov 2, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 29, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B1/267
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

For fiberoptic endotracheal intubation, a method is disclosed that uses a device having a cannula with a first, distal end for placement within the pharynx of a patient, a second, proximal end for being disposed outside of the patient's oral cavity, and a flow passage between the first and second ends. The cannula has a length such that, when the distal end is placed within the pharynx, it terminates distally at a point near the patient's epiglottis. The device includes an inflatable cuff structure for forming a seal between a wall of the cannula and the patient's pharynx. The cuff is positioned adjacent to the distal end of the device and defines, on inflation, a ventral/anterior portion and a posterior portion. The method involves a step of inserting the device, with cuff deflated, into a patient's mouth so that the distal end of the device is disposed at a point near the patient's epiglottis to establish an airway column down the core of the device. Once the cuff structure is inflated, the patient's airway is supported to provide spontaneous breathing and controlled ventilation through the flow passage of the device. Then, a fiberoptic scope, on which an endotracheal tube has be…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.