Digital endotracheal tube sound acquisition and localization device
View Patent ↗An apparatus and method for determining proper endotreachal placement is disclosed. The apparatus includes an audio receiver having a body, a microphone mount in a center thereof the body and an audio cavity, an audio processing unit; and a signal cable connected at a first end to the microphone and at a second end, where the receiver is adapted to be positioned in a suprasternal notch of a patient and the acoustic signal detected after inflation of a balloon associated with an endotracheal tube. The method uses the apparatus to detect and analyze an audio signal. The audio signal is then used to confirm endotracheal tube placement.
1. A method for confirming proper placement endotracheal tube comprising the steps of:
providing an apparatus comprising:
an audio receiving unit including a receiver adapted to be placed on a site of a patient's body and to receive sounds generated from a pilot tube of an endotracheal tube,
an audio processing unit adapted to receive an audio signal detected by the audio receiver and to verify a proper placement of the endotracheal tube in the patient based on characteristics of the audio signal; and
a signal cable interconnecting the receiver and the processing unit;
placing the audio receiving unit on a site of a patient's skin;
inserting an endotracheal tube into the patient;
inflating a pilot balloon of the endotracheal tube, which is filled with a gas and liquid mixture;
squeezing the balloon generating a crepitus sound,
detecting the sound in the receiver,
producing a signal from the receiver,
determining, in the processing unit, if the signal evidences proper or improper endotreachal tube placement,
generating a cognizable human output corresponding to the placement, and
if the placement is improper, repositioning the tube until the signal evidences proper placement.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the site is a suprasternal notch.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving unit further includes an audio cavity.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the receiving unit further includes a diaphragm so that the cavity is defined between the diaphragm and the receiver.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the audio cavity includes a channel and the receiver is mounted in a center of the channel.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the audio cavity includes a channel and the receiver is mounted in a center of the channel.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit includes at least one human cognizable output component, where the at least one human cognizable output component generates a human cognizable output evidencing proper or improper endotracheal tube placement.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the output further evidences a nature of an improper endotracheal tube placement.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the human cognizable output components are selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a display, indicator lights, a tactile device, vibrator, and mixtures or combinations thereof.