Disposable Video Laryngoscope With Fluid Spray System

Abstract

A disposable video laryngoscope includes a novel internal liquid jet spray. This laryngoscope is designed so that the user may utilize either the video mode in which the image is displayed on an external screen, or the device may be used in the same manner as a direct laryngoscope. If the device is used in video mode, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) is placed within a camera housing so as to prevent or reduce fogging of the lens. The device includes an internal spray mechanism that may receive liquid through a luer-connection interface such as is used with syringes or IV tubing systems and that directs a spray onto a fogged or occluded lens to restore vision.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A laryngoscope comprising: a handle defining an interior, a luer-compatible connection disposed within the interior of the handle and configured to couple to a syringe, a fluid channel disposed within the handle and in fluid communication with the syringe; a blade coupled to the handle; an aperture disposed near a distal end of blade and configured to allow light to enter the blade; an imaging device at least partially enclosed by the blade and configured to capture light passing through the aperture; a transparent window configured to provide a physical barrier disposed across the aperture; and a fluid delivery line configured to deliver fluid from the fluid channel to an external surface of the transparent window.

22. The laryngoscope of claim 21, wherein the blade further comprises an illuminating element at least partially enclosed by the blade and configured to illuminate a target area of a surface exterior to the transparent window.

23. The laryngoscope of claim 21, wherein the blade further comprises a heating element at least partially enclosed by blade and configured to remove condensation from the transparent window.

24. The laryngoscope of claim 21, wherein the blade further comprises one or more light emitting diodes configured to remove condensation from the transparent window.

25. The laryngoscope of claim 21, wherein the luer-compatible connection is configured to align the syringe in parallel configuration with the handle.

26. The laryngoscope of claim 21, wherein the blade and the handle are integrally formed.

27. The laryngoscope of claim 21, wherein the blade and the handle are coupleable to one another.

28. The laryngoscope of claim 21, wherein fluid from the syringe is used to clean the transparent window.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is an isometric right view of the laryngoscope of this invention depicted in FIG. 4.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the laryngoscope of this invention taken along sectional line A-A of FIG. 4.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an isometric, left rear view of the laryngoscope of this invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the laryngoscope of this invention showing sectional line A-A.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the distal end of the handle of the laryngoscope of this invention taken along sectional line A-A showing the luer-fitting connector.

[0021] FIG. 6 is an isometric right view of the laryngoscope of this invention depicted in FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 7 is an enlarged image of the end of the blade in FIG. 6.

[0023] FIG. 8 shows internal detail of the housing component of FIG. 7.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a right side sectional elevational view of another embodiment of the laryngoscope of this invention showing internal components.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a right side sectional elevational view of another embodiment of the laryngoscope of this invention showing internal components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views.

[0027] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the laryngoscope 10 is comprised of an integral unit consisting of a handle 12 and a blade 16 that are in a fixed position. The laryngoscope includes an endoscopic camera or imaging device 25 that is connected to a camera cable 15. The imaging device includes a source of illumination within its housing 20 in the form of one or more LEDs 27, as is shown in greater detail in FIG. 8.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the laryngoscope which illustrates the insertion point 18 of the multiplewire camera cable 15 which may extend directly from the insertion point 18 to an external monitor. As is shown in FIG. 3 the handle 12 may have a posterior groove 14 into which the camera cable 15 may inserted, if desired. The cable 15 may be slightly oversized for the groove 14 and when pressed into the groove will remain flush and secure within the groove and out of the operator's way. This allows for increased autonomy for the operator who is thereby given two options to arrange the cable so as not to interfere with the procedure being conducted. The cable 15 connects to or communicates with an external monitor, and will provide power to both the imaging and illumination sources for the video component via the cable 15.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, an imaging system is located near the end of the blade 16 and is situated within a housing 20 located within a walled-off move 22 inside the blade. The imaging system includes an endoscopic camera 25 situated within the housing 20 having a lens 32, and that is surrounded by LEDs 27 that serve the dual purpose of heating the lens 32 to reduce condensation and of illuminating tissue directly proximate to the blade of the laryngoscope. The camera 25 is connected directly to camera cable 15 which is carries a video signal received by an external monitor.

[0030] A difficulty that an operator mayace when attempting to obtain ideal views for the intubation procedure is that of a fogged lens of the endoscopic camera. To prevent fog and to provide illumination, LEDs 27 are built within the endoscopic camera housing 20 so as to provide a heated window and ensure that the illumination is near the intended target. The LEDs and endoscopic camera combination are placed within the device and are securely held in position.

[0031] The LEDs 27 are the source of illumination for the camera which, for purposes of defogging the lens 32, may be located adjacent the lens. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the LEDs 27 are located within the housing 20 of the imaging device and provide illumination for the image being sent to the external monitor. Power is provided to the LEDs through the multiple-wire camera cable 15. The activated LEDs 27 produce heat within the housing 20, thus reducing or eliminating any fog and condensation that may form on the lens and compromise an operator's view of the tissue being encountered by the laryngoscope.

[0032] The endoscopic camera 25 is located within the posterior aspect of the blade and assumes the correct orientation by a guide that is bossed onto the camera. The camera is held securely in place within a housing 20 built into the blade and the cable 15 may be run up the back of the handle into the groove 14 or it pray extend from the posterior aspect of the blade depending on the operator's preference and/or clinical scenario. The camera is then securely fastened via sturdy threaded cable.

[0033] The laryngoscope of this invention also includes an attachment port 40 for a luer-compatible device which accepts a connection to a fluid reservoir which provides fluid to clean the lens 32. The end of the handle 12 contains a luer-fitting connector 40 which is flush with the base of the handle. FIG. 5 depicts a sectional view of the bier connection 40 that is integrated into the handle 12 of the laryngoscope. Fluid enters the handle from an external source such as a luer-compatible syringe or IV tubing and travels through the luer connection 40 into tubing 34 located the laryngoscope's handle 12. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tube 34 is coupled at either end via tube connectors 17 and situated within the guides 24 built into the blade of the device. The fluid travels through the handle and blade of the laryngoscope to a nozzle 30 from which it will be forcefully sprayed onto the lens 32. The fluid exits the nozzle as a jet (shown as 36 in FIG. 10 but which does not comprise part of the invention) and strikes the lens centrally in order to clear obstructions to the view of the image. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the laryngoscope has an internal tube 34 that runs from the luer connection 40 to the nozzle 30 to deliver a spray to the lens 32. In this embodiment, an operator can actuate the spray by operating a foot pedal or some other fluid pressurization mechanism known in the art (not shown) to deliver a liquid spray through the tube 34 and onto the camera lens 32 for the purpose of clearing the visual field. The luer-fitting connector 40 within the handle is compatible with syringes and IV tubing connectors that utilize the luer-connection interface. The internal tube 34 is sized to cause a small amount of fluid to be expelled from the nozzle 30 with sufficient force to clear the visual field of the lens of the camera.

[0034] In the drawings the laryngoscope is shown with an upward curving blade such as the traditional Macintosh kyle blade but can also be produced with a straight blade such as the traditional Miller design without compromising the features of the invention claimed herein. The system is composed of rigid plastic that is intended for disposal, but the system is not limited to this option.

[0035] The liquid jet spraying system is compatible with multiple delivery systems within a healthcare setting due to its leer-fitting connector. This connector is compatible with many commonly used leer-connection interfaces such as syringes, IV extension tubing, or even IV tubing connectors, thereby allowing for flexibility and ease of choice for the operator depending on the clinical scenario.

[0036] In the alternative embodiments depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, the laryngoscope may be physically untethered from external devices such as a monitor or an external source of cleansing liquid. Such alternative embodiments may be desirable in non-hospital environments when emergency situations call for immediate intubation under field conditions. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 10, video signals may be sent to an external monitor using a Bluetooth or comparable wireless medium utilizing a small transmission circuit 42. Power may be furnished to the LEDs and imaging device through a small, replaceable or rechargeable battery 50 situated in the handle.

[0037] Cleansing liquid may be held within a disposable or multiple-use bladder 52 internal to the laryngoscope, and can be delivered by applying pressure to the bladder 52 by a flexible, removable membrane 54 or through any other mechanism known in the art. These components may be enclosed within a removable handle 12, and may be used with a disposable blade 16. Connection of the handle 12 to the blade 16 can be achieved with a twisting or other conventional connection. Aligned contacts or external connectors may be used for electrical conductivity and fluid transfer, and all components within a handle may be maintained and replaced as necessary.

[0038] In field environments in which an external source of cleaning fluid is available (such as EMT vehicles), a leer-connection to such external source may be used to deliver the fluid to the laryngoscope, as indicated in FIG. 9.

[0039] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, other conventional connections may be substituted for the luer-connection described herein; and other wireless communications systems may be used to transmit the image from the endoscopic camera to an external monitor. The foregoing description and the following claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations.