Lighted bougie

Abstract

A bougie having the dimensions of a standard bougie used widely by first responders is further configured to emit tight with an intensity that transilmminates a patient's neck; thus the position of the bougie is visible to the first responder when placed in the patient's airway. The bougie includes a light source, which may be a luminescent chemical combination contained in a chamber of the bougie. The luminescent chemical may have a high intensity and a short duration. The light source may be a light-emitting diode powered by an onboard battery and emitting light into a fiber-optic cable that emits light from the distal end and/or from interruptions in a reflecting coating that allows transverse exit of some of the light. The light source may be a chemilmninescent material or compound. All components of the bougie are sized to pass through an endotracheal tube without removing any of the components.

CPC Classifications