Importance

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Abstract

A mold (form) in which an endotracheal tube, having a stylette therein, is received so as to form the overall configuration of the endotracheal tube is disclosed. The mold has a recess in the surface thereof to receive the endotracheal tube with a stylette therein. The recess has a curve therein adjacent one end of the mold to receive the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The recess in the opposite end of the mold has a bend therein to receive the proximal end of the endotracheal tube. The recess in the intermediate portion of the mold is substantially straight and interconnects the curved end and the oppositely disposed bent end of the recess. The stylette is fabricated from a thin metallic malleable rod which is bendable, and thus configurable, to retain the overall configuration of the endotracheal tube after being formed and removed from the mold. The stylette is withdrawn from the endotracheal tube after the distal end thereof has been inserted through the vocal cords and just into the trachea of the patient being intubated. Due to the configuration of the endotracheal tube, withdrawal of the stylette causes the distal end of the tube to advance further into the trachea of the patient being intubated.

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First Claim