This invention relates to an apparatus which is used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube to provide visual information during intubation. The visual information is used by a medical practitioner in order to successfully insert and position the endotracheal tube into the trachea of a patient who is being intubated.
A low cost camera and radio frequency transmitter are coupled to an endotracheal tube to obtain an image in real time of tissue at the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The image recorded by the camera is transmitted to a low cost radio frequency receiver nearby and conveyed to a video monitor to display the image. The use of a wireless transmission system avoids the presence of wires and cords that otherwise might become entangled and cause the endotracheal tube to be inadvertently repositioned or pulled out of the patient.
