The present invention relates to a tracheal intubation device and method
for placing an endotracheal tube within a patient's trachea. More
particularly, the endotracheal tube includes primary and secondary cuffs,
in the form of inflatable balloons. A stillette is positioned within the
endotracheal tube. The tracheal intubation device includes a guiding
mechanism for guiding the stillette and the endotracheal tube within a
patent's body. The guiding mechanism is positioned external to a patient
and sized and shaped so as to transmit a signal and to receive a signal
indicating the location of the stillette in a patient's body. After the
endotracheal tube is positioned in the oropharynx, inflating the
secondary cuff urges the endotracheal tube toward the trachea of a
patient.