Importance

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Abstract

An endotracheal tube for respirating a patient and the method of incubation of the tube comprises an elongated air tube having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall between which four passageways are circumferentially spaced approximately 90.degree. apart and extend from the distal end of the tube to its proximal end. A control line is received within each passageway which is fixed to each end of the air tube but movable within the passageways therebetween. The air tube is inserted through an upper airway passage to a point near the trachea, and then the proximal end of the air tube is deflected to produce an equal and opposite deflection of the distal end into alignment with the trachea. In an alternative embodiment, a stylet having essentially the same design as the endotracheal tube herein, but with smaller external dimensions, is adapted for insertion into a standard endotracheal tube to manipulate the distal end of such tubes to facilitate intubation.

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First Claim