 The Eschmann tracheal tube introducer ( often incorrectly referred to as a " gum elastic <unk> " ) is specialized type of stylet used to facilitate difficult intubation . This flexible device is 60 cm ( 24 in ) in length , 15 French ( 5 mm diameter ) with a small " hockey @-@ stick " angle at the far end . Unlike a traditional intubating stylet , the Eschmann tracheal tube introducer is typically inserted directly into the trachea and then used as a guide over which the endotracheal tube can be passed ( in a manner analogous to the Seldinger technique ) . As the Eschmann tracheal tube introducer is considerably less rigid than a conventional stylet , this technique is considered to be a relatively <unk> means of tracheal intubation . 
