Abstract: An introducer 40 for guiding an endotracheal tube into a patient's trachea and method for use is provided. The introducer used independently of the endotracheal tube is a malleable elongated tubular body 42 having a proximal end 44 and a distal end 46 and includes an extendible malleable guide member 50 disposed in the bore 48 of the tubular body. Ports 52 are provided in the wall of the tubular body at a point where an operator will normally support the introducer 40 during intubation for contact of the guide member 50 with a finger or fingers of the hand supporting the introducer so that the guide member 50 can be extended without the operator changing the position of the supporting hand while leaving the other hand free for use of a viewing device.

Abstract: An introducer is disclosed and used for the introduction of an airway tube into the trachea of a patient, the introducer comprising an elongated flexible tubular body defining a proximal end and proximal end portion and a distal end and distal end portion, the body having an outside dimension selected for receiving the body in the bore of an airway tube, an elongated flexible guide member defining a distal portion terminating in a distal tip and a proximal end and a proximal section disposed in the bore of the tubular body.