US Patent 6874504 Endotracheal tube

An endotracheal tube includes a proximal tube shaft and a distal tube shaft coupled to the proximal tube shaft. The proximal tube shape defines a proximal lumen and the distal tube shaft defines a distal lumen extending from the proximal lumen. The distal tube shaft includes two or more curved portions configured to be inserted into the trachea when the tube is inserted into a patient. The proximal tube shaft includes a substantially straight or a slightly curved portion. A method of intubating a patient includes advancing a tube having a distal portion with at least two curved portions into the trachea of the patient, and delivering gas through the tube to the patient's lungs.