The Wood Library-Museum

Anesthesiologists may insert a breathing tube into the patient's airway to deliver inhalation anesthesia. Located below the larynx (voice box), the trachea (windpipe) divides into the right and left bronchi, conducting air in and out of the lungs. The bronchi are of unequal diameter and length. Some of the tubes used by anesthesiologists are double-lumen tubes designed specifically to enter the right or the left bronchus. These tubes are primarily used during lung surgery, in order to isolate one lung.

British anesthesiologist, researcher and inventor Frank L. Robertshaw, M.D., FFARCS (1918-1991), was one of the team that tested the first modern non-explosive anesthetic, halothane. He introduced his double-lumen endobronchial tube in 1962. Its two hollow channels have a wide diameter, to reduce air-flow resistance. The tube has a cuff near the distal tip, which can be inflated using either of the two small side tubes. Made in left-sided and right-sided models, the Robertshaw tube continues in use today. The example shown here was made for use in the right bronchus, and was produced in 2009 by the original manufacturer.