An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

Various embodiments of an intubation system include a tracheal tube and an illumination assembly that is removably couplable to a tubular body of the tracheal tube. The tracheal tube may be a double lumen tracheal tube having a first cuff that is adapted to be inflated to seal against the walls of a patient's trachea and a second cuff that is adapted to be inflated to seal against the walls of the patient's bronchial stem. The illumination assembly may have one or more illumination devices that are adapted to produce light within the patient's trachea, the patient's bronchial stem, or both when the illumination assembly is coupled to the tubular body.

The body has a fluid inlet port for receiving pressurized fluid and a fluid outlet port connected to the retention balloon. A first passage connects the fluid inlet port and the fluid outlet port, A second passage in the body is connected to the balloon fluid return path and is at the pressure of the retention balloon. A valve prevents fluid flow through the first passage when actuated. The valve includes a pressure-responsive member movable to a position to obstruct fluid flow in response to fluid pressure in the second passage exceeding the predetermined level. Flexible means such as a membrane defines a normally open portion of the first fluid passage, which is closed by the moveable means bearing on the membrane when pressure exceeding the predetermined level actuates the valve.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.

An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

An airway device for human or animal use includes an airway tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is surrounded by a laryngeal cuff configured to fit over the laryngeal inlet of a patient when in situ. The first end of the airway tube is provided with an intubating ramp configured to direct a tube inserted through the airway tube into the laryngeal inlet of the patient when in situ.

The present disclosure describes systems and methods that utilize a tracheal tube with a shaped evacuation port. An evacuation port coupled to a suction lumen may be shaped to reduce air channel formation within the suction lumen, which in turn may improve the suctioning force and efficiency. The shaped evacuation ports may be generally oval or may be shaped to minimize a height dimension while maintaining a suitable cross-sectional area. In particular embodiments, the shaped evacuation ports may have cross-sectional areas that correspond to a cross-sectional area of the suction lumen.

An airway device for human or animal use includes an airway tube having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is surrounded by a laryngeal cuff configured to fit over the laryngeal inlet of a patient when in situ. The first end of the airway tube is provided with an intubating ramp configured to direct a tube inserted through the airway tube into the laryngeal inlet of the patient when in situ.

An artificial airway including: an airway tube including at least one airway conduit; an inflatable cuff mounted on a distal end of the tube; a support member extending into the cuff, the cuff having inner side walls, anterior walls and a posterior wall, the inner side walls being joined to the support member to define a recess which communicates with the airway conduit, the anterior walls and posterior wall, sealingly engaging, in use, about the glottic opening and posterior pharyngeal wall respectively of a patient.

An imaging stylet is provided, including a deformable outer housing having a proximal end and a distal end with a longitudinal axis, and an opening provided at the distal end, an imaging device disposed at the distal end of the outer housing, a deformable support member disposed in the outer housing, and an actuator disposed in the outer housing and coupled to the imaging device. The imaging device is movable by the actuator from an inactivated position, in which the imaging device is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the distal end, to an activated position, in which the imaging device extends out of the opening at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal end.