Laryngoscope insertion section structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9775505-B2
Application number	US-201113697701-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 13, 2011
Priority date	May 13, 2010
Publication date	Oct 3, 2017
Grant date	Oct 3, 2017

Abstract

Disclosed is a laryngoscope insertion section having a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface, and a channel extending from the proximal end the channel having an inferior internal surface with a greater curvature than the curvature of the inferior surface. The insertion section is compatible with laryngoscope hardware optimized for indirect viewing, yet enables direct viewing. Additionally, the distance between the inferior and superior surfaces is at a maximum within the intermediate portion, and enables the dimensions of the proximal and distal portions to be minimized. Thus, the intermediate portion, which is located in the patient's oral cavity in use, is provided with greatest depth and therefore strength where the greatest forces are received, whereas the distal and proximal portions are of reduced dimensions to as to minimize trauma to the patient's airway and mouth areas, respectively, in use. Further structural features providing the insertion section with improved strength, with a minimum of material and size, are also disclosed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A laryngoscope blade comprising: a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion;
a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface each extending through the proximal, intermediate, and distal portions;
a channel configured to receive a camera stick of a laryngoscope and extending from an opening at a proximal end of the laryngoscope blade and through at least part of the intermediate portion and terminating in a lens at a distal end of the channel, wherein the distal end of the channel is proximal to the distal portion of the laryngoscope blade, the channel being defined in part by an inferior internal surface of the laryngoscope blade, wherein the curvature of the inferior internal surface is greater than the curvature of the inferior surface of the intermediate portion; and
an aperture disposed through the laryngoscope blade intermediate portion and between the inferior surface and a superior surface of the laryngoscope blade, wherein a proximal aperture terminus and a distal aperture terminus are positioned distally relative to the proximal end of the laryngoscope blade and proximally relative to the distal end of the channel.

2. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 wherein the distance between the inferior and superior surfaces is at a maximum within the intermediate portion.

3. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , wherein the curvature of the channel is substantially equal to the curvature of the superior surface.

4. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , wherein the curvature of the inferior surface at the intermediate and distal portions is less than the curvature of the inferior surface at a region between the intermediate and distal portions.

5. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , wherein the curvature of the inferior surface is defined by an inferior radius, and the curvature of the superior surface is defined by a superior radius, wherein the superior radius is smaller than the inferior radius.

6. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , wherein the curvature of the inferior surface is defined by an inferior radius, and the curvature of the inferior internal surface is defined by an internal radius, wherein the internal radius is smaller than the inferior radius.

7. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , wherein the aperture extends from a first lateral side surface to a second lateral side surface to extend through the laryngoscope blade.

8. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 7 , wherein the aperture is elongate and has a superior inner surface substantially parallel to the inferior surface.

9. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , comprising a strengthening element disposed on or in at least a portion of the intermediate portion.

10. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 9 , wherein the strengthening element extends within the distal portion.

11. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 9 , wherein at least part of the strengthening element is planar and extends parallel to the superior surface of the intermediate section such that the strengthening element curves around at least a portion of the channel.

12. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 9 , wherein at least part of the strengthening element extends between the inferior surface and the aperture.

13. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 9 , wherein the strengthening element is a wire or filament composed of a secondary material which is strong in tension.

14. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 13 , comprising a plurality of strengthening elements through the intermediate portion between the inferior surface and the aperture.

15. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 9 , wherein the aperture extends through the strengthening element, between the inferior surface and the superior surface.

16. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , wherein a strengthening element extends along at least some of the length of the laryngoscope blade and a first portion of the strengthening element is generally parallel to the interior surface and a second portion of the strengthening element is generally perpendicular to the inferior surface, and wherein the first and second portions of the strengthening element meet along at least part of the length of the laryngoscope blade through which the strengthening element extends.

17. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 16 , wherein a third portion of the strengthening element is generally parallel to the superior surface, and wherein the first and second portions, and the second and third portions, of the strengthening element meet along at least part of the length of the laryngoscope blade through which the strengthening element extends, the strengthening element thereby formed in the shape of a girder along at least part of the length of the laryngoscope blade.

18. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , wherein one or more of a camera, a light source, a light guide, a strengthening member, and an image capture device is provided in the channel.

19. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of endotracheal tube guiding members extending laterally therefrom, having tube guiding surfaces which are arranged to contact and thereby guide the inferior or superior surface of a retained endotracheal tube introduced thereto.

20. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , wherein the inferior surface extends laterally beyond the superior surface along all or a substantial part of its length.

21. The laryngoscope blade according to claim 1 , wherein the curvature of the superior surface of the proximal portion is the same or substantially the same as the curvature of the superior surface of the intermediate portion.

22. A laryngoscope, comprising:
a body portion; and
a laryngoscope blade comprising a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, a distal portion, and a channel extending along a length of the proximal portion and the intermediate portion and terminating in a lens proximal to a distal end of the laryngoscope blade; wherein the proximal portion of the laryngoscope blade is coupled to the body portion; and wherein the laryngoscope blade comprises an aperture disposed on an outer surface of the intermediate portion between the channel and an inferior surface of the laryngoscope blade, and wherein a curvature of an inner surface of the channel has a first curvature that is the same as a second curvature of a superior surface of the laryngoscope blade and is greater than a third curvature of an inferior surface of the laryngoscope blade.

23. The laryngoscope according to claim 22 , wherein the laryngoscope blade comprises a resilient tab disposed on a proximal end of the proximal portion of the laryngoscope blade, wherein the resilient tab is configured to couple to the laryngoscope blade to the body portion of the laryngoscope such that the laryngoscope blade is releasably secured to the body portion.

24. The laryngoscope according to claim 23 , comprising a camera stick extending from the body, wherein the camera stick is configured to be inserted into the channel of the laryngoscope blade.

25. The laryngoscope according to claim 24 , wherein the camera stick is a strengthening member.

26. The laryngoscope according to claim 24 , wherein the camera stick comprises one or more, or all, of; a camera, a light source, a light

Assignees

• Mcgrath Matthew John Ross
• Inglis Peter Douglas Colin
• Aircraft Medical Ltd

Inventors

• Mcgrath Matthew John Ross
• Inglis Peter Douglas Colin

Classifications

• A61B1/267 Primary

  for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes · CPC title