Mivacurium ED95 Recalculated

Abstract

Review (non-peer review). We conducted the most recent study of the magnetic intubation technique in order to assess the strength of the magnet required to guide the ferrous stylet with a two-part intubation catheter. A literature search of the period between 1970 and 1994 was conducted. However, since the article by Obolentsev et al., cited by Spencer and Abajian, was published originally in Russian, it was not identified in our search. Furthermore, this article, describing a magnetic device directing an endotracheal tube containing metallic balls in the distal end, was published in 1987, 6 yr after our technique was first introduced. The only technique similar to ours was that in which the magnet was placed over the neck to attract the tip of an endotracheal tube that was either impregnated with a ferrous substance or inserted with a ferrous plug. This technique was patented by R. D. McKenne on December 20,1977. Since we never had the intention of patenting our idea, we did not conduct a patent search, and, therefore, the technique of McKenne was not identified. Thus, the question arises: to what extent must one spend time and money to conduct unnecessary patent searches and costly, multiple-language, literature searches?