the present invention involves communication between a sensor associated with the endotracheal tube and the laser such that when the impingement of the laser beam is detected upon an endotracheal tube during a laser surgical procedure , the sensor instructs the controller to modulate the intensity of the laser beam , preventing the ignition of the endotracheal tube . consequently , an apparatus of the invention is new , useful and nonobvious in light of heretofore known devices , which are principally concerned with protecting the endotracheal tube from laser radiation , and provide no communication between the endotracheal tube via a sensor , and the laser . accordingly , the present invention extends to a device for preventing ignition of an endotracheal tube during laser surgery , wherein the device comprises a sensor which is associated with the endotracheal tube and can sense impingement of the laser beam , and a controller which is electrically connected to the sensor . when the sensor detects impingement of the laser beam upon the endotracheal tube , it instructs the controller to modulate the intensity of the laser beam impinging the endotracheal tube . this modulation prevents ignition of the endotracheal tube . moreover , numerous words and phrases used throughout the instant specification and claims are defined below : as used herein , the terms “ modulation ” and “ modulate ” refer to the adjustment of adaptation of the intensity of the laser beam impinging the endotracheal tube such that the intensity is decreased . in a particular embodiment , modulation refers to decreasing the intensity of the laser beam to zero . as used herein , the term “ intensity ” refers to the amount of degree of strength of light per unit area or volume . as used herein , the phrase “ endotracheal tube ” refers to a tube within or passing through the trachea which opens an unobstructed airway for a patient to breath , and has a lumen which permits gas , such as oxygen , to be passed to the patient , particularly during a surgical procedure . an endotracheal tube can be made of numerous materials , including , but not limited to polypropylene , polyethylene , polytrimethylpentene , polytetrafluoroethylene , polyvinylidene difluroide , polysulfone , polydimethylsiloxane ( silicone rubber ), nitrile rubber , neoprene rubber , silicone - polycarbonate copolymers , fluoroelastomers , polyurethane , polyvinyl chloride , polybutadiene , polyolefin elastomers , polyesters , or polyethers . as used herein , the term “ ignition ” refers to the raising of the temperature of an endotracheal tube to the minimum temperature at which it will continue to burn without external heat . as used herein , the term “ associated ” with respect to a sensor and an endotracheal tube refers to the sensor and the endotracheal tube being connected , joined together , or combined . thus , a sensor associated with an endotracheal tube can be on the endotracheal tube , within the endotracheal tube , i . e ., imbedded within the endotracheal tube , or in the lumen of the endotracheal tube . as used herein , the phrase “ electrical resistance ” refers to the opposition of a body or substance to a current passing through it , dissipating electrical energy . generally , resistance is measured in ohms ( ω ). as used herein , the phrase “ wheatstone bridge ” refers to an electrical circuit used to determine an unknown electrical resistance by adjusting a known resistance so that the measured current within the circuit is zero . a more detailed description of a wheatstone bridge is set forth infra . as used herein , the term “ microprocessor ” refers to an integrated circuit that contains the entire central processing unit of a computer on a single chip , and can programmed to perform functions . as used herein , the term “ impede ” in regards to a controller refers to the controller retarding or obstructing power entering the laser . as used herein , the term “ voltage ” ( e ) refers to an electromotive force or potential difference , generally measured in volts ( v ). as used herein , the phrase “ photocell ” refers to an electronic device having an electrical output that varies in response to incident radiation , such as a laser beam . particular examples of photocells having applications herein include , but certainly are not limited to photovoltaic cells , phototubes , and photomultipliers , to name only a few , which are described infra . as used herein , the singular forms “ a ”, “ an ” and “ the ” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise . as used herein the term “ laser ” refers to any of several devices that convert incident electromagnetic radiation of mixed frequencies to one or more discrete frequencies of highly amplified and coherent ultraviolet , visible , or infrared radiation . as used herein , the phrase “ laser beam ” refers to a concentrated stream of electromagnetic radiation produced by a laser . as used herein , the phrase “ electrically connected ” regarding elements of a device of the invention refers to a connection between the elements that permits an electric current to pass from one element to the other element . as explained above , the present invention extends to a device for preventing ignition of an endotracheal tube during laser surgery , wherein the device comprises a sensor which is associated with the endotracheal tube , which senses impingement of a laser beam onto the endotracheal tube . a device of the invention also comprises a controller which modulates the intensity of the laser beam impinging the endotracheal tube , wherein the controller and the sensor are in communication . when the sensor senses impingement of the laser beam on the endotracheal tube , the sensor instructs the controller to modulate the intensity of the beam , which prevents ignition of the endotracheal tube . in a particular embodiment , the controller impedes the laser beam . what &# 39 ; s more , the present invention further extends to a method for preventing ignition of an endotracheal tube during laser surgery , comprising the steps of providing a sensor which can sense impingement of a laser beam ; associating the sensor with the endotracheal tube , which senses impingement of a laser beam onto the endotracheal tube ; and providing a controller which modulates the intensity of the laser beam , wherein the controller and the sensor are in communication . when the sensor senses impingement of the laser beam on the endotracheal tube , the sensor instructs the controller to modulate the intensity of the beam , which prevents ignition of the endotracheal tube . in a particular embodiment , the controller impedes the laser beam . as explained above , fig1 is a schematical view of an embodiment of a device of the invention , wherein endotracheal tube ( 1 ) is inserted into trachea ( 2 ) of a patient . an endotracheal tube which can be used with a device of the invention has an inner lumen ( not shown ) through which gas , such as oxygen , is passed to the patient during surgery . thus , the inner lumen of endotracheal tube ( 1 ) is in fluid communication with an intubation or anesthetizing apparatus ( not shown ). endotracheal tube ( 1 ) can be made of any biocompatible , pharmaceutically inert material . particular examples of such materials include , but certainly are not limited to polypropylene , polyethylene , polytrimethylpentene , polytetrafluoroethylene , polyvinylidene difluoride , polysulfone , polydimethylsiloxane ( silicone rubber ), nitrile rubber , neoprene rubber , silicone - polycarbonate copolymers , fluoroelastomers , polyurethane , polyvinyl chloride , polybutadiene , polyolefin elastomers , polyesters , or polyethers . referring again to fig1 sensor ( 3 ) is associated with endotracheal tube ( 1 ). in a device of the present invention , sensor ( 3 ) associated with endotracheal tube ( 1 ) can be on endotracheal tube ( 1 ), embedded within the material forming endotracheal tube ( 1 ), or within the lumen ( not shown ) of endotracheal tube ( 1 ). particular examples of sensors having applications herein are described infra . still referring to fig1 sensor ( 3 ) is electrically connected to microprocessor ( 4 ), which in turn is electrically connected to controller ( 5 ). a power source ( not shown ) is electrically connected to sensor ( 3 ). the power source can provide either direct current or alternating current . numerous microprocessors that are readily commercially available to a skilled artisan that can programmed using routine programming techniques have ready applications in a device or method of the present invention . microprocessor ( 4 ) can measure a change in an electrical parameter of the sensor , and thus quantify any impingement of a laser beam upon sensor ( 3 ) and endotracheal tube ( 1 ). particular examples of such parameters are described above , and include resistance , current , voltage , impedance , capacitance , etc . thus , microprocessor ( 4 ) can be readily programmed to recognize a predetermined or threshold value of the parameter being measured regarding sensor ( 3 ), which is related to the impingement of laser beam ( 8 ) on sensor ( 3 ) and endotracheal tube ( 1 ). microprocessor ( 4 ) is electrically connected to controller ( 5 ), which in turn is electrically connected to laser ( 6 ). in the embodiment of a device of the present invention schematically shown in fig1 controller ( 5 ) is electrically upstream from laser ( 6 ) and electrically downstream from a power supply ( not shown ). thus , as explained infra , the controller operates to impeding power entering the laser . however , numerous controllers , including deflectors as described above , have readily applications in a device of the present invention . a wave guide ( 7 ) permits the movement of laser ( 6 ) and thus the aiming and focusing of laser beam ( 8 ) on a particular target within the patient . thus , in an embodiment of a device of the present invention as schematically set forth in fig1 should laser beam ( 8 ) impinge sensor ( 3 ), and endotracheal tube ( 1 ) during a laser surgical procedure , microprocessor ( 4 ) can measure a change in a particular parameter of sensor ( l ), e . g ., resistance , current , voltage , capacitance , etc ., which reflects the impingement . microprocessor ( 4 ) can then compare the value of the measured parameter with a threshold or predetermined value programmed into microprocessor ( 4 ). based upon this comparison , microprocessor ( 4 ) may instruct controller ( 5 ) to impede power produced by the power source ( not shown ) from entering laser ( 6 ). as a result , laser beam ( 8 ) generated to laser ( 6 ), and directed by laser ( 7 ) is extinguished , preventing further impingement of laser beam ( 8 ) upon endotracheal tube ( 1 ), and ignition of endotracheal tube ( 1 ). as explained above , numerous sensors have applications herein . one type of sensor having applications herein comprises a wire associated with endotracheal tube ( 1 ), wherein the electrical resistance of the wire , an electrical parameter , increases upon impingement of the wire by laser beam ( 8 ). numerous types of wires have applications in such an embodiment of a device of the present invention , including , but certainly not limited to nichrome , which is described above . moreover , the association of the wire with the endotracheal tube can be as described above , including wrapping the wire around the endotracheal tube . what &# 39 ; s more , numerous means are readily available to the skilled artisan for measuring an increase in the electrical resistance of the wire . a wheatstone bridge is an example of one such means , and is very advantageous for the measure of parameters such as resistance , inductance , and capacitance . a schematically view of a typical wheatstone bridge is set forth in fig2 and a schematically view of the circuit of a wheatstone bridge is set forth in fig3 . broadly , a wheatstone bridge comprises electrical resistors ( 9 ), ( 10 ), ( 11 ), and ( 12 ) arranged in a diamond orientation . the values of the electrical resistance of resistors ( 9 ), ( 10 ) and ( 11 ) are known , while the electrical resistance of resistor ( 12 ) is unknown . in a particular embodiment of a device of the present invention , resistor ( 12 ) is the wire described above which is associated with the endotracheal tube . another nonlimiting example of a sensor having applications in a device of the present invention , wherein the power source electrically connected to the sensor provides ac power , comprises : ( a ) an oscillator to generate the ac frequency for sensor material excitation ; ( b ) an amplifier to driver to increase the power of the aforementioned ac signal ; ( c ) a sensing material of or associated with the endotracheal tube exhibiting a change in ac electrical characteristics of the sensing material from radiation or from heating upon impingement of the laser beam ; and ( d ) a conditioning circuitry to amplify and isolate the measuring signal resulting from the change in ac characteristics of sensor . the measuring signal would then be communicated to the controller , which would modulate the intensity of the laser beam , and prevent ignition of the endotracheal tube . numerous oscillator or ac signal generation methods are readily available to the skilled artisan , and have applications in the present invention . examples include , but certainly are not limited to operational amplifier circuits , buffer circuits , transistor circuits , and integrated circuiting combining of combinations of the aforementioned amplifier circuits , etc . furthermore , numerous materials whose ac electrical characteristics change due to impingement with a laser beam have applications herein . particular examples include dielectric materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene , to name only a few . likewise , numerous conditioning circuitry can be used in a device of the present invention . examples include , but certainly are not limited to analog methods such as operational amplifier circuits , buffer circuits , transistor circuits , filter circuits , mixing circuits , and integrated circuits combining of combinations of aforementioned amplifier circuits , etc . digital devices , such as amplifiers , filters , mixers , etc . implemented on digital microcontrollers , digital signal processors , application specific integrated circuits , gate arrays , programmable logic devices , and discrete digital logical devices , to name only a few , can also be used in conditioning circuitry in a particular embodiment of a device of the present invention . referring to fig2 an excitation voltage , produced by power supply ( 13 ), is applied between the points p 3 and p 4 of the diamond . power supply ( 13 ) may be either an alternating current ( ac ) or direct current ( dc ) power supply . the voltage across p 1 and p 2 is measured with voltmeter ( 14 ). the resistance of resistor r 2 is then adjusted until no voltage is measured across the points p 1 and p 2 , and the bridge is deemed “ balanced ”. consequently , under conditions when the bridge is balanced , the electrical potential of the wire of the sensor ( e w ) equals the voltage drop across resistor ( 10 ) ( e 2 ), and the voltage drop across resistor ( 9 ) ( e 1 ) equals the voltage drop across resistor ( 9 ) ( e 3 ). for example , fig3 depicts the circuit of a balanced wheatstone bridge , wherein v 1 = v 2 . ohm &# 39 ; s law states that the current l ( in amperes ( a )) flowing in a conductor is directly proportional to the applied voltage e ( in volts ) and inversely proportional to the resistance r ( in ohms ω ) of the conductor . thus : [( r w i w )/( r 11 i 11 )]=[( r 10 i 10 )/( r 9 i 9 )] ( 4 ) since the current passing through resistors r 1 and r 2 is the same , and the current passing through r 3 and the wire are the same , the currents cancel and equation ( 4 ) and can be solved for r w : it is well within the routine skills of a skilled artisan to program a microprocessor to calculate r w using the equations described above . moreover , a microprocessor can be readily programmed using routine programming procedures to recognize a predetermined electrical resistance for the wire , and compare the predetermined electrical resistance to the electrical resistance measured in the wire . since the electrical resistance of the wire increases when impinged by the laser beam , this increase will be readily determined by the microprocessor , and compared to the predetermined electrical resistance . if the measured resistance is greater than or equal to the predetermined electrical resistance , the microprocessor will instruct the controller to impede power entering the laser , thus , extinguishing the laser beam and , preventing the ignition of the endotracheal tube . another sensor having applications in a device of the invention is a photocell , which employs the photoelectric effect in its operation . the photoelectric effect is the ejection of electrons from a surface of a metal or other material when impinged by electromagnetic radiation , i . e ., laser light , wherein the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation exceeds a threshold value characteristic of the particular metal or material . an example of a photocell having applications herein is a photovoltaic cell , schematically set forth in fig4 . a photovoltaic cell ( 19 ) measures the intensity of photons impinging the cell by means of the voltage developed across semiconductor layer ( 17 ). in particular , a laser beam ( hv ) ( 15 ) traverses semitransparent layer ( 16 ) and impinges semiconductor layer ( 17 ). the impingement of laser beam ( 15 ) upon semiconductor layer ( 17 ) causes the expulsion of electrons from layer ( 17 ). these electrons are collected on collection layer ( 18 ), thus producing a voltage across the photovoltaic cell . in a particular example , wherein laser beam ( 15 ) is from a co 2 laser , semiconductor layer ( 17 ) is formed of silicon and / or gallium likewise , if the laser beam ( 15 ) is an excimer laser , semiconductor layer ( 10 ) is formed of gallium / arsenide . likewise , semi - transparent layer ( 16 ) and collection layer ( 18 ) can be made of numerous materials , including silver . in addition , the photovoltaic cell can be associated with an endotracheal tube such that the cell is on the tube , within the material forming the tube , or within the lumen of the tube . what &# 39 ; s more , a plurality of photovoltaic cells can be associated with the tube throughout the entire length of the tube , wherein each cell is electrically connected to the microprocessor . the voltage that results across photovoltaic cell ( 19 ) is dependent upon the number of photons of the laser beam that strike semiconductor layer ( 17 ). furthermore , the voltage across the photovoltaic cell can readily be measured and supplied to the microprocessor ( not shown ) for analysis , e . g ., for comparison to the predetermined voltage programmed into the microprocessor . hence , when the voltage measured across photovoltaic cell ( 19 ) is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage , the microprocessor ( not shown ) will instruct the controller to impede power entering the laser ( not shown ), which discontinues laser beam ( 15 ) and prevents ignition of the endotracheal tube . another example of a photocell having applications in a device of the present invention is a phototube ( 20 ), which is schematically shown in fig5 . a photoelectric surface ( 21 ) is negatively charged , e . g . a cathode , and contained within chamber ( 22 ) formed by transparent envelope ( 23 ). chamber ( 22 ) is evacuated forming a vacuum therein . anode ( 24 ) is also within chamber ( 23 ). photoelectric surface ( 21 ) and anode ( 24 ) are electrically connected via power supply ( 25 ). when photons of laser beam ( 26 ) impinge photoelectric surface ( 21 ), electrons are dislodged from surface ( 21 ) and migrate to anode ( 24 ). as a result , a current flows through the tube , which can be measured with voltmeter ( 26 ). voltmeter ( 26 ) is electrically connected to a microprocessor ( not shown ), which compares the measured voltage in the phototube with a predetermined voltage programmed into the microprocessor . if the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage , the microprocessor instructs the controller to impede power entering the laser , extinguishing laser beam ( 26 ) and preventing ignition of the endotracheal tube . naturally , according to ohm &# 39 ; s law stated above , once two of the variables are known , the remaining can readily be determined . numerous materials can be used to form photoelectric surface ( 21 ). particular examples of such materials are set forth above , and includes , but certainly is not limited to a metal base comprising a first layer of semiconductor deposited on top of the metal layer , and a second layer of semitransparent silver deposited on top of the semiconductor level . another example of such a material comprises cesium deposited upon an electrode . in a particular embodiment , photoelectric surface ( 21 ) is a cesium - coated photocathode . furthermore , any electrically conducting material , such as copper , silver , gold , or electrically conducting polymer , to name only a few , can serve as anode ( 24 ). in an embodiment of a device of the invention wherein the sensor is a phototube , the phototube is associated the endotracheal tube as such that the phototube is on the endotracheal tube , the phototube is within the material forming the endotracheal tube , or the phototube is within the lumen of the endotracheal tube . in addition , a device of the invention can employ a plurality of phototubes associated with the endotracheal tube , wherein the phototubes are spatially arranged along the length of the endotracheal tube . each phototube is electrically connected to the microprocessor . what &# 39 ; s more , the sensor in an embodiment of the invention can comprise an optical fiber that is wrapped around the endotracheal tube , wherein the end of the optical fiber is connected to a photocell . when a photon from the laser beam impinges the endotracheal tube , it can pass into the optical fiber , and be propagated to the photocell . there , a change in voltage across the photocell can be measured , thus indicating the endotracheal tube has been impinged with the laser beam . many other variations and modifications of a device of the invention will apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . the above - described embodiments are therefore , included to be merely exemplary , and all such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims .
a device for preventing ignition of an endotracheal tube during laser surgery is provided , wherein the device permits communication among a sensor associated with endotracheal tube and a laser which generates the laser beam . when the sensor and endotracheal tube are impinged by the laser , the sensor senses this impingement , and communicates with a controller which controls power entering the laser beam . because of such communication , the controller impedes power entering the laser , which extinguishes the laser and prevents ignition of the endotracheal tube .