• Jaehoon Oh, Youngjoon Chee, Taeho Lim, and Youngsuk Cho.
• School of Electrical Engineering, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea.
• Can J Anaesth. 2013 May 1;60(5):444-9.

PurposeThis study is a feasibility assessment to determine the ability of novice users to utilize an infrared (IR) sensor stylet as a guide to position the tip of the endotracheal tube (ETT) 40 mm proximal to the carina in the swine trachea.MethodsWe developed a stylet system using an IR sensor attached to the tip of a stylet to facilitate measuring the distance of the ETT from the carina. The indicator lamp of the IR sensor system turns on through calibration when the ETT tip arrives at a point 20 mm proximal to the carina. In order to place the ETT tip 40 mm (middle of 20-60 mm) from the carina after the indicator lamp turns on, the operator uses the ETT marker to withdraw the ETT 20 mm. For this study, five fresh swine airways were used in random order after drawing lots, and ten novices were recruited to attempt the procedure ten times on each swine's airway.ResultsFive hundred endotracheal intubations were performed. For the target distance of 40 mm from the ETT tip to the carina, the mean (standard deviation) of the total data set was 37.9 (3.5) mm; all data were within a 20-60 mm range (500/500), and 98.2% (491/500) of the attempts fell within the 30-50 mm range.ConclusionsThe IR sensor stylet system can facilitate correct positioning of the ETT tip at an appropriate depth above the carina in the swine trachea. Evaluation of the IR sensor stylet methodology in human subjects is warranted.

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