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Abstract

A suction stylet suited for use with an endotracheal tube. The stylet has a main body with a central passageway which extends along the length of the main body. The central passageway is in fluid communication with a suction source at one end and in fluid communication with an elongated suction stylet extension at an opposite end. The extension has a free end with a suction port or ports. The main body also includes a connector member for releasable attachment with an endotracheal tube. When connected, the stylet extension's free end is near the free end of the endotracheal tube. A vent arm extends off of the main body and includes a vent passageway that opens into the central passageway, preferably at an angle of 90.degree. or less. The vent arm extends toward the free end of the extension and features a vent port at its end that opens into the vent passageway. The vent port is positioned so as to be easily closed by a finger of an operator who is grasping the stylet with the same hand. When the vent port is open, there is essentially no suction drawn at the free end of the extension. When the vent port is closed, sufficient suction is provided at the free end of the extension for removing fluids present in the trachea region of a patient. The main body has both a downward and a side bend formed along its length to place the suction tubing out of the line-of-sight and to avoid twisting of the suction tube. A preferred bend angle is 25.degree.-50.degree., or more preferably 30.degree.-45.degree..

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First Claim