Image-guided laryngoscope for tracheal intubation

摘要

The invention relates to endotracheal intubation by an endoscope of the type that is automatically guidable in three dimensions in response to control signals. The endoscope has fiber optics and a TV camera for internal viewing. The TV image signals are processed to determine the geometrical shape of body parts near the tip of the endoscope. When the program determines that the vocal cords are in view, it guides the tip of the endoscope toward it and then into the trachea by sending control signals to the mechanical endoscope motion devices.