Maneuverable intubating stylet

Endotracheal intubation is a medical process whereby an artificial airway, called the endotracheal tube (ETT), is inserted through the mouth into the trachea (airway). The ETT helps secure the patient’s airway and ensure unobstructed airflow through the trachea. Typically, this procedure is for patients who have sustained trauma to the airway, those with severe respiratory distress, or patients undergoing general anesthesia. Thus, endotracheal intubation is a highly critical, life-saving procedure that is performed in emergency or surgical settings.

In order to facilitate steering and guidance of ETT into the trachea, there is a J-shaped metallic “stylet” enclosed within the ETT. The stylet has a handle that the medical care provider uses to advance the ETT along the patient’s trachea. Given that the trachea is soft tissue, and the ETT and stylet are curved by default, there are often times where the apparatus can get lodged in the imperfections of the trachea. A patient’s unique airway geometry or unknown tumors may also cause obstruction. This not only delays the highly critical intubation process, but also increases the risk of lacerations to the inner walls of the trachea.