US Patent 10058669 Location determining endotracheal tube and methods

A system for aiding in the proper placement of an endotracheal tube in the trachea of a patent includes an endotracheal tube having a proximal region and a distal region. At least one electrode is included on the distal region to provide an electrical stimulation signal to patient tissue. The system includes a control unit coupled to the electrode and configured to differentiate proper placement of the endotracheal tube in the patient's trachea from improper placement of the endotracheal tube in the patient's esophagus based on a sensed response to the electrical stimulation provided by the electrode.