title: The Cric-Key™ and Cric-Knife™: a combined tube-introducer and scalpel-hook open cricothyrotomy system.
abstract: The author describes a cricothyrotomy system that consists of two devices that, packaged together, are labeled the Control-Cric™ system. The Cric-Key™ was invented to verify tracheal location during surgical airway procedures?without the need for visualization, aspiration of air, or reliance on clinicians? fine motor skills. The Cric-Knife™ combines a scalpel with an overlying sliding hook to facilitate a smooth transition from membrane incision to hook insertion and tracheal control. In a recent test versus a traditional open technique, this system had a higher success rate and was faster to implement.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Levitan
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*