An Automatic Inhalation-Actuated Aerosol Anesthesia Unit: A New Method of Applying Topical Aneshesia to the Oropharynx and Tracheobronchial Tree

Abstract

A new automatic method of applying aerosolized Xylocaine to the mucosa of the respiratory tract has been described. This was devised primarily for tracheobronchial anesthetization prior to bronchography, but can be used for any procedure requiring anesthetization of the oropharynx, larynx, or tracheobronchial tree, or for the administration of a variety of medical agents to the oropharynx and respiratory tract. The method is timesaving, easily supervised by trained technicians or nurses, and causes minimal discomfort to the patient.