The endoscope herein described has a unique steering capability allowing the highly flexible distal end of the shaft of the device to be moved to a full range angular positions without rotating the device on its long axis, thus enabling the device to be steered within the cavity of interest. The relative lengths of the control cables used to move the distal end of the bendable shaft can be changed whenever the flexible or malleable shaft is to be re-shaped to a new configuration thus preventing the distal end or the steering mechanism from assuming an undesired angular position. When used as an endotracheal device, a novel tongue retractor is described which forms an internal conduit, allowing passage of the bendable shaft of the endotracheal intubation device and an endotracheal tube therethrough. Methods for performing a tracheal intubation and changing the relative lengths of the cables are disclosed.

An articulating stylet usable with a tracheal intubation system is disclosed. Methods for using the articulating stylet and systems that incorporate the articulating stylet are also disclosed. In some examples, a stylet adapted for mounting an endotracheal tube comprises a shaft and a control wire. The shaft comprises a distal shaft portion, a proximal shaft portion, and an expanding connection joining the distal shaft portion to the proximal shaft portion. The proximal shaft portion has a body portion and a tip portion. The tip portion includes a tip and has greater flexibility than the body portion. The control wire is at least partially disposed within both the distal shaft portion and the proximal shaft portion and is configured to cause the tip portion of the proximal shaft portion to deform.

An endotracheal tube interface apparatus including a enclosed space structure having integrated surrounding walls, a rearward wall and an internal volume, a first hollow stem disposed on the rearward facing wall and a second hollow stem disposed on the sidewall of the enclosed space structure, the first hollow stem accepting an endotracheal tube, the second hollow stem supporting an oxygen delivery tube, both first and second stems open to the internal volume of the enclosed space. The enclosed space structure may slide over the outside surface of the oral end of an endotracheal tube, inserted through the first hollow stem and wherein oxygen is delivered from a machine through an oxygen delivery tube attached over the second hollow stem, the oxygen entering the endotracheal tube after the internal volume of the enclosed space structure is pressurized.

Breathing tubes for use with a spirometer. The breathing tubes include a body having an oval interior cross-sectional shape and are configured to engage interior surfaces of the spirometer, so as to ensure the proper orientation of the body within the spirometer.

One aspect of the invention relates to an intubation aid (10). The intubation aid (10) comprises an elongated main part (12), and the intubation aid (10) is provided with an operating device (26). The main part (12) is designed to be curved in a first region (18) of the main part (12), and the main part (12) is additionally designed to be curved in a second region (20) of the main part (12), said second region being separated from the first region (18) and being arranged adjacently to the free end (16) of the main part (12). The main part (12) additionally comprises a positioning device (24) which is designed to limit a translational displacement of a tube (46) placed on the intubation aid (10) in at least one direction. A second aspect of the invention relates to an intubation aid which can be placed on an endoscope.

Medical devices which are compatible with a camera for ventilating, intubating, and extubating a patient under continuous visualization. Methods for ventilating, intubating and extubating a patient with the medical devices.

Systems, devices, and techniques are described to position a tube in a trachea of a patient as part of an intubation procedure. An intubation system may include a stylet configured to position a tube in the trachea of the patient. The stylet may include an articulating segment and a support segment. The articulating segment may be configured to move between a first position and a second position in response to input received by the support segment. The movement of the articulating segment may be controllable by a caregiver. The intubation system may include a handle configured to receive an input from the caregiver and cause the stylet to move in response to the input.

The present invention relates to an intubation system comprising insertion unit to be connected to a bending section of a medical instrument comprising an inner elongated shaft structure being capable of torque transmission around its length axis and an outer elongated shaft structure surrounding the inner elongated shaft structure and having a continuous outer surface, and an orientation controller being attached to the inner elongated shaft, such that when the orientation controller rotates, the bending section turns around itself.

An endotracheal tube includes a main tubular portion including a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, the main tubular portion including a central lumen at least in part defined by a wall of the main tubular portion; a wire lumen disposed within the wall of the main tubular portion, the wire lumen defined at least in part by a sidewall portion of the wire lumen and extending from about the proximal end of the main tubular portion to about the distal end of the main tubular portion; a wire disposed in the wire lumen; and one or more cutouts extending along a portion of the wall of the main tubular portion, the cutouts comprising openings in the sidewall portion of the wire lumen, wherein the cutouts are not in fluid communication with the central lumen.

An airway stabilization system including an airway device and a securing mechanism or faceplate therefor is provided which includes active stabilizing components on both the airway device and the faceplate which prevent clinically significant movement of the airway device with respect to the patients vocal cords in response to the application of significant forces in any direction to the device, be they longitudinal, torsional/rotational or bending. The system includes an airway device and an attached retention collar which interacts with a securing device/patient to ensure proper airway insertion depth and provide unparalleled strength and stability against movement. The airway stabilization system includes a unique stabilizer readily adapted for use in field situations to releasably engage or release a retention structure on the airway device to facilitate ease of application in all conditions, a twist-off 15 mm connector which allows a secure connection of the 15 mm connector to the airway device while facilitating easy disconnection thereof, and a universal bite block which cooperates with the securing system to prevent oral and/or dental damage and discomfort to the patient when the system is installed.