Importance

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Abstract

An endotracheal tube enabling the monitoring of body conditions is described. The endotracheal tube includes a conduit to allow the inflation and deflation of a cuff and, in some embodiments, simultaneously provide a channel to monitor the auditory conditions of a patient such as the heart or lungs. In addition, the endotracheal tube includes a temperature sensing member to measure the temperature of the patient. The temperature, pressure, and auditory aspects of the endotracheal tube are combined into one conduit, in some embodiments. A temperature sensor is placed in the interior of the cuff, in some embodiments, to provide a temperature reading from the air passing in and out of the lungs and from the surrounding tracheal wall. The conduit may be clamped and opened to assist the physician with ease of preparation and insertion of the device into the trachea.

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First Claim