Abstract: An introducer for tracheal tube intubation has a proximal section connected to a distal section having an angled bougie tip. The introducer is configurable (i) for use as a bougie in which a tracheal tube is railroaded over the introducer's back end and into a trachea and (ii) for use as a stylet in which a tracheal tube is pre-loaded onto the introducer for insertion into a trachea. In certain embodiments, the introducer has one or more flexible or malleable sections that enable the introducer to bend into different configurations. The flexible/malleable sections have directional bending such that the sections bend in roughly the same plane as the angled bougie tip. This enables an operator always to know the orientation of the bougie tip even after it has been inserted into the trachea. The flexible/malleable sections enable the introducer to be configured with a handle or other type of grip.

Abstract: An introducer for tracheal tube intubation has a proximal section connected to a distal section having an angled bougie tip. The introducer is configurable (i) for use as a bougie in which a tracheal tube is railroaded over the introducer's back end and into a trachea and (ii) for use as a stylet in which a tracheal tube is pre-loaded onto the introducer for insertion into a trachea. In certain embodiments, the introducer has one or more flexible or malleable sections that enable the introducer to bend into different configurations. The flexible/malleable sections have directional bending such that the sections bend in roughly the same plane as the angled bougie tip. This enables an operator always to know the orientation of the bougie tip even after it has been inserted into the trachea. The flexible/malleable sections enable the introducer to be configured with a handle or other type of grip.

Abstract: An introducer for tracheal tube intubation has a proximal section connected to a distal section having an angled bougie tip. The introducer is configurable (i) for use as a bougie in which a tracheal tube is railroaded over the introducer's back end and into a trachea and (ii) for use as a stylet in which a tracheal tube is pre-loaded onto the introducer for insertion into a trachea. In certain embodiments, the introducer has one or more flexible or malleable sections that enable the introducer to bend into different configurations. The flexible/malleable sections have directional bending such that the sections bend in roughly the same plane as the angled bougie tip. This enables an operator always to know the orientation of the bougie tip even after it has been inserted into the trachea. The flexible/malleable sections enable the introducer to be configured with a handle or other type of grip.

Abstract: An introducer for tracheal tube intubation has a proximal section connected to a distal section having an angled bougie tip. The introducer is configurable (i) for use as a bougie in which a tracheal tube is railroaded over the introducer's back end and into a trachea and (ii) for use as a stylet in which a tracheal tube is pre-loaded onto the introducer for insertion into a trachea. In certain embodiments, the introducer has one or more flexible or malleable sections that enable the introducer to bend into different configurations. The flexible/malleable sections have directional bending such that the sections bend in roughly the same plane as the angled bougie tip. This enables an operator always to know the orientation of the bougie tip even after it has been inserted into the trachea. The flexible/malleable sections enable the introducer to be configured with a handle or other type of grip.

Abstract: For cricothyrotomy and the like, a surgical device has, in one embodiment, a device body with a bi-directional scalpel, an end cap, and a tracheal hook that fits within a channel formed in the device body. With the end cap removed to expose the bi-directional scalpel blade and with the tracheal hook fully inserted within the body channel, the device can be held, e.g., in the dominant hand of an operator, and manipulated to make an opening in the patient's neck using the exposed scalpel blade. The tracheal hook can then be slid away from the device body with the hook's barbed tip entering the opening to enable the operator to easily and quickly secure the surgical airway. The design of the surgical device enables an economy of movements that otherwise would typically not be within the skill set of an operator who was not a surgeon.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer has a round handle; a first curved, flattened (i.e., oval) section connected to the handle; a first straight, unflattened (i.e., circular) section connected to the first curved section; a second curved, flattened section connected to the first straight section; and a last straight, unflattened section connected to the second curved section. The curved, flattened sections allow the introducer to unbend in the anterior-posterior direction to enable a user to introduce a tube or other airway catheter into a surgical airway. The major axis of the oval sections is equal to the diameter of the circular sections, substantially preventing side-to-side bending of the introducer. A rounded distal end provides tactile feedback resulting from palpation of the patient's anterior tracheal rings to confirm proper insertion of the introducer, while tenting of the skin indicates improper insertion.

Abstract: An introducer for a surgical airway catheter has a proximal handle; a curved, rod-shaped main section; an opening-enlarging region; and a rod-shaped distal tip, sized to receive the catheter tube. After making an initial opening in a patient's trachea, the operator inserts the distal tip into the initial opening up to the cutting region. The operator uses the opening-enlarging region to sufficiently widen the opening by moving the introducer from side to side or simply by inserting the introducer into the opening to enable the widened opening to receive the tube and cuff of the catheter. The operator rotates the introducer and catheter into the trachea through the widened opening and then removes the introducer leaving the catheter in place. The introducer and catheter can be pre-configured in a surgical kit having a retractable scalpel configurable onto the introducer's handle and used to excise the initial tracheal opening.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer has a round handle; a first curved, flattened (i.e., oval) section connected to the handle; a first straight, unflattened (i.e., circular) section connected to the first curved section; a second curved, flattened section connected to the first straight section; and a last straight, unflattened section connected to the second curved section. The curved, flattened sections allow the introducer to unbend in the anterior-posterior direction to enable a user to introduce a tube or other airway catheter into a surgical airway. The major axis of the oval sections is equal to the diameter of the circular sections, substantially preventing side-to-side bending of the introducer. A rounded distal end provides tactile feedback resulting from palpation of the patient's anterior tracheal rings to confirm proper insertion of the introducer, while tenting of the skin indicates improper insertion.

Abstract: For cricothyrotomy and the like, a surgical device has, in one embodiment, a device body with a bi-directional scalpel, an end cap, and a tracheal hook that fits within a channel formed in the device body. With the end cap removed to expose the bi-directional scalpel blade and with the tracheal hook fully inserted within the body channel, the device can be held, e.g., in the dominant hand of an operator, and manipulated to make an opening in the patient's neck using the exposed scalpel blade. The tracheal hook can then be slid away from the device body with the hook's barbed tip entering the opening to enable the operator to easily and quickly secure the surgical airway. The design of the surgical device enables an economy of movements that otherwise would typically not be within the skill set of an operator who was not a surgeon.

Abstract: An introducer for a surgical airway catheter has a proximal handle; a curved, rod-shaped main section; an opening-enlarging region; and a rod-shaped distal tip, sized to receive the catheter tube. After making an initial opening in a patient's trachea, the operator inserts the distal tip into the initial opening up to the cutting region. The operator uses the opening-enlarging region to sufficiently widen the opening by moving the introducer from side to side or simply by inserting the introducer into the opening to enable the widened opening to receive the tube and cuff of the catheter. The operator rotates the introducer and catheter into the trachea through the widened opening and then removes the introducer leaving the catheter in place. The introducer and catheter can be pre-configured in a surgical kit having a retractable scalpel configurable onto the introducer's handle and used to excise the initial tracheal opening.

Abstract: An introducer for a surgical airway catheter has a proximal handle; a curved, rod-shaped main section; a cutting region; and a rod-shaped distal tip, all (except the handle) sized to receive the catheter tube. After making an initial opening in a patient's trachea, the operator inserts the distal tip of the introducer into the initial opening up to the cutting region. The operator uses the cutting region to sufficiently widen the opening by moving the introducer from side to side to enable the widened opening to receive the tube and cuff of the catheter. The operator rotates the introducer and catheter into the trachea through the widened opening and then removes the introducer leaving the catheter in place. The introducer and catheter can be pre-configured in a surgical kit that includes a retractable scalpel that can be configured onto the introducer's handle and used to excise the initial tracheal opening.

Abstract: A miniature video camera (18) mounted on a pair of goggles (12) that substantially captures the monocular perspective of the operator's right eye during the medical procedure of direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. The camera is connected to a pentaprism (14) that the operator aligns with the area of interest by slight changes in head position and reference to alignment bands (46) alongside the prism body. The image is reflected through the pentaprism to the camera and then displayed on a nearby video monitor (38). Auxiliary light sources or specialized equipment are not required. Persons other than the laryngoscopist can see the procedure as it is being performed. The pentaprism, camera, and camera mount do not significantly interfere with the operator's vision or performance of direct laryngoscopy or other procedures.