FIBER OPTIC ENTUBATOR AND METHOD OF ENTUBATION OF THE TRACHEA THROUGH THE NASOPHARYNX

摘要

An entubator for an endotracheal tube which includes a coherent flexible fiber optic bundle which can be positioned within the central cavity or lumen of the endotracheal tube for viewing the anatomy of a patient as the endotracheal tube advances through the patient during the insertion procedure. The entubator also includes a means for directing the course of travel of the endotracheal tube which enables the operator to navigate the endotracheal tube through anatomical passageways made visible by the fiber optics bundle. The fiber optic bundle and the means for directing the course of travel enable the entubation of an endotracheal tube through the nasopharynx of the patient.