A cricothyrotomy apparatus includes a frame, a protuberance, and a blade member. The frame includes a blade guide. The protuberance extends in a first direction from the frame, and is located at a distance from the blade guide that corresponds to the distance between a sternal notch of an adult human and an anterior cricothyroid membrane of the adult human. The protuberance is sized and configured to be at least partly received by a sternal notch of an adult human. The blade member is slideably disposed in the blade guide.

A guiding catheter (16) for use with a dilator (17) in a tracheostomy procedure has an elongated stop ring (160) the length of which is at least twice the minimum diameter D of the ring. The patient end (162) of the stop ring (160) makes a smooth transition with the external surface of the guiding catheter (16) and has the same external diameter as that of the catheter. The stop ring (160) tapers along its length so that the diameter at its machine end (163) is greater than at its patient end (162) and is the same as that of the patient end (170) of the dilator (17). In this way, the stop ring (160) makes a smooth transition with the patient end of the dilator (17).

Techniques for emergency apneic oxygenation include a cannula having a longitudinal inner passage with an inner diameter. A distal portion has a first outer diameter greater than the inner diameter, and is made of shape memory material shaped to bend in a first direction along the inner passage. A cannula base has a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter. A distance from a distal end of the cannula to a proximal end of the distal portion of the cannula is less than a distance from a surface of a throat of a subject to a distal surface of an airway of the subject. The inner passage is configured to pass a catheter connected at a proximal end to an oxygen source. In various embodiments, the cannula is used with a trocar and, optionally, a system base, or supplied in a kit with a catheter.

A device to assist performing medical procedures that references anatomical landmarks through adjustable components to identify and stabilize a procedure site and provide guidance in performing the procedure. In one embodiment, an airway creation assist device (ACAD) can be dimensionally adjusted for different patient sizes and properly aligned using anatomical landmarks. The ACAD provides an adjustable template that enables accurate identification of the airway creation site, including but not limited to the cricothyroid membrane. The ACAD uses an insertion guide to guide the obturator and airway tube safely and consistently into the trachea, with a mechanical stop to prevent damaging the posterior trachea wall. The ACAD improves efficacy of the procedure, and makes perforating an incorrect airway creation procedure difficult. In another embodiment, a chest decompression assist device (DAD) Is disclosed for decompression treatment of air and/or fluid in the chest.

Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating insertion of an endotracheal tube and/or for verifying the position of the endotracheal tube within an airway of a patient with respect to an anatomical landmark of a patient are disclosed. Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating removal of debris from the distal airways of a patient under direct visualization are also disclosed.

A rodent intubation system includes a main body member including a first port, a second port and a third port. The main body member further includes a magnification lens of approximately 3 to 7 magnification power, which lens is rotatably connected to the main body member so that an animal being intubated may be viewed through the magnification lens during use of the system. An intubation catheter is releasably connected to one port. An inflation bulb is removably connected to another port. Yet another port of the three port system is sized and dimensioned to receive a fiber optic cable there through.

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for the cleaning of an endotracheal tube while a patient is being supported by a ventilator connected to the endotracheal tube for the purpose of increasing the available space for airflow or to prevent the build up of materials that may constrict airflow or be a potential nidus for infection. In one embodiment, a mechanically-actuated endotracheal tube cleaning device is configured to removably receive a visualization member to provide cleaning of the endotracheal tube under direct visualization.

A method and apparatus is provided for automatic emergency airway detection. The apparatus includes a frame with a carriage guide configured to be secured around a neck of a subject. A carriage including a sensor is configured to move along the carriage guide. The sensor is configured to measure a value of a parameter indicating a topography of the neck of the subject. A processor includes a memory with instructions to receive first data from the sensor of the value of the parameter as the carriage is moved along the carriage guide and to determine, with the first data, second data indicating a position along the carriage guide corresponding to the cricothyroid region of the neck. The processor subsequently transmits a first signal indicating the second data. A method of using the apparatus is also provided.

A tracheoscope pull wire control mechanism includes a rotating wheel pivotally arranged inside a handle; a holding cavity is formed on an upper portion of the rotating wheel; a spring and a brake block are arranged in the groove, such that a connection rod of the control piece above the handle passes through a long slotted hole at a position opposite to the handle, and is clamped and linked with the brake block; and the near ends of the two pull wires are extended and are combined on the rotating wheel of the control mechanism. The positioning structure can be operated with a single hand, which is different from the conventional two-hand control manner; and the operation efficiency and the convenience are improved.

The present invention provides an improved percutaneous dilation tracheostomy device. The device is configured to include all of the required components to perform a percutaneous tracheotomy. The device includes a retractable needle and an extendable j-wire rather than having separate components as in typical percutaneous tracheostomy devices. The device includes a dilator section to expand the diameter of a patient's stoma. The device is further configured to allow an operator to perform a bubble test to alert the user that the tube is in the trachea. In addition, the device is generally more compact than typical emergency tracheostomy devices.