Abstract: A pulmonary secretion clearing ventilation catheter and related airway management system is disclosed. The ventilation catheter has a double lumen portion which each lumen of the double lumen portion operably secured to an airway management system so that inspiratory fluid (air/oxygen mixtures, with or without added water vapor) is delivered to the distal end of the ventilation catheter through one of the two lumens and expired inspiratory fluid, pulmonary secretions, and pulmonary fluids are removed from the patent through the other lumen. The expiratory fluid pathway preferably includes a secretion collection system for removing the pulmonary secretions and the like from the pathway, thereby improving operation and safety of the system. An improved inflatable cuff is also disclosed that permits a slight air leakage in the pneumatic seal between the patient's lungs and the environment, thereby facilitating removal of pulmonary secretions from the patient's lungs.

Abstract: A substantially rigid cannula having a channel configured to sequentially house a slidably removable video camera and to provide a ventilating airway upon sealable engagement of a ventilation extension with the channel after the camera is removed. The camera is connected with a monitor to guide the placement of the cannula and its placement within the tracheal lumen. Upon engagement with the channel and a ventilating source, a breathable airway is established through the cannula.

Abstract: A retractor with a video system that has a blade portion detachably secured thereto is disclosed. In one embodiment, the video system is sealed within the retractor during use so that it need not be sterilized between uses. The blade portion is either reusable, in which case only it needs to be sterilized between uses, or the blade portion is disposable, thereby further preventing inadvertent contamination of the patient. The video system can be detachably secured to a variety of different shaped blade portions, thereby allowing the retractor, with its single video system, to operate effectively as a straight or curved blade laryngoscope, anoscope, colposcope, and the like.

Abstract: The configuration and arrangement of the instrument greatly facilitate safe placement of the instrument and an associated endotracheal tube. The instrument includes a handle with an arm extending therefrom. The arm includes a base portion and a distal lifter portion preferably having an angle between 5° and 85°, inclusive, and the lifter is sized and shaped to engage or lift the patient's epiglottis, thereby to expose the glottis. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion and lifter portion are substantially the same length, and a viewing device, which is preferably a CCD or CMOS camera positioned near the transition portion between the base and lifter portions, is aligned to provide a perspective view toward the distal end of the lifter. Lights, which are preferably LED units, are positioned toward the distal end of the lifter to facilitate viewing.

Abstract: A pulmonary secretion clearing ventilation catheter and related airway management system is disclosed. The ventilation catheter has a double lumen portion which each lumen of the double lumen portion operably secured to an airway management system so that inspiratory fluid (air/oxygen mixtures, with or without added water vapor) is delivered to the distal end of the ventilation catheter through one of the two lumens and expired inspiratory fluid, pulmonary secretions, and pulmonary fluids are removed from the patent through the other lumen. The expiratory fluid pathway preferably includes a secretion collection system for removing the pulmonary secretions and the like from the pathway, thereby improving operation and safety of the system. An improved inflatable cuff is also disclosed that permits a slight air leakage in the pneumatic seal between the patient's lungs and the environment, thereby facilitating removal of pulmonary secretions from the patient's lungs.

Abstract: A retractor with a video system that has a blade portion detachably secured thereto is disclosed. In one embodiment, the video system is sealed within the retractor during use so that it need not be sterilized between uses. The blade portion is either reusable, in which case only it needs to be sterilized between uses, or the blade portion is disposable, thereby further preventing inadvertent contamination of the patient. The video system can be detachably secured to a variety of different shaped blade portions, thereby allowing the retractor, with its single video system, to operate effectively as a straight or curved blade laryngoscope, anoscope, colposcope, and the like.

Abstract: The configuration and arrangement of the instrument greatly facilitate safe placement of the instrument and an associated endotracheal tube. The instrument includes a handle with an arm extending therefrom. The arm includes a base portion and a distal lifter portion preferably having an angle between 5° and 85°, inclusive, and the lifter is sized and shaped to engage or lift the patient's epiglottis, thereby to expose the glottis. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion and lifter portion are substantially the same length, and a viewing device, which is preferably a Charged Coupled Device (“CCD”) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (“CMOS”) camera positioned near the transition portion between the base and lifter portions, is aligned to provide a perspective view toward the distal end of the lifter. Lights, which are preferably LED units, are positioned toward the distal end of the lifter to facilitate viewing.

Abstract: The configuration and arrangement of the instrument greatly facilitate safe placement of the instrument and an associated endotracheal tube. The instrument includes a handle with an arm extending therefrom. The arm includes a base portion and a distal lifter portion preferably having an angle between 5° and 85°, inclusive, and the lifter is sized and shaped to engage or lift the patient's epiglottis, thereby to expose the glottis. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion and lifter portion are substantially the same length, and a viewing device, which is preferably a Charged Coupled Device (“CCD”) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (“CMOS”) camera positioned near the transition portion between the base and lifter portions, is aligned to provide a perspective view toward the distal end of the lifter. Lights, which are preferably LED units, are positioned toward the distal end of the lifter to facilitate viewing.

Abstract: The configuration and arrangement of the instrument greatly facilitate safe placement of the instrument and an associated endotracheal tube. The instrument includes a handle with an arm extending therefrom. The arm includes a base portion and a distal lifter portion preferably having an angle between 5° and 85°, inclusive, and the lifter is sized and shaped to engage or lift the patient's epiglottis, thereby to expose the glottis. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion and lifter portion are substantially the same length, and a viewing device, which is preferably a CCD or CMOS camera positioned near the transition portion between the base and lifter portions, is aligned to provide a perspective view toward the distal end of the lifter. Lights, which are preferably LED units, are positioned toward the distal end of the lifter to facilitate viewing.

Abstract: The configuration and arrangement of the instrument greatly facilitate safe placement of the instrument and an associated endotracheal tube. The instrument includes a handle with an arm extending therefrom. The arm includes a base portion and a distal lifter portion preferably having an angle between 5° and 85°, inclusive, and the lifter is sized and shaped to engage or lift the patient's epiglottis, thereby to expose the glottis. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion and lifter portion are substantially the same length, and a viewing device, which is preferably a CCD or CMOS camera positioned near the transition portion between the base and lifter portions, is aligned to provide a perspective view toward the distal end of the lifter. Lights, which are preferably LED units, are positioned toward the distal end of the lifter to facilitate viewing.

Abstract: The configuration and arrangement of the instrument greatly facilitate safe placement of the instrument and an associated endotracheal tube. The instrument provides a path for guiding movement of the endotracheal tube in a manner that permits the distal end of the tube to move along the instrument directly toward the glottis. The instrument includes a passage into which a telescope is mounted. The arrangement of the guide path and passageway ensure that the advancing end of the tube remains observable as it is advanced to the glottis. Suction is provided to remove fluid etc that would otherwise obscure the view of the tube.