Digital laryngoscope

• US 20030195390A1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Martin Panczel Graumann
• Original Assignee: Martin Panczel Graumann
• Inventors: Graumann, Martin Panczel
• Application Number:
  US10/070,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195390A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/188
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes

Abstract

The Digital Laryngoscope is a Layngoscope design that incorporates the latest optical and digital technology for a reliable and consistent method of visualization and exposure of anatomical structures required for Endotracheal intubation.

It consists of a Blade unit with a ‘reverse’ curvature or concave distal end outfitted with a light system. The Blade'"'"'s proximal end forms the Blade to Handle mounting system, based on a ‘slide-mount’ mechanism. The Handle unit'"'"'s proximal end has Handle to Blade receiver ‘slide-mount’ mechanism, a curved metal Tube that houses at its distal end an Optical image sensor and its wiring. The Tube is mounted to the Handle via attachments to the receiver ‘slide-mount’ and the Handle itself. The Handle is ergonomically shaped and angled. The Handle serves as the housing unit for the Digital color processor and its wiring connecting it to the Tube unit'"'"'s Lens system, as well as the lid-shaped molded Battery power supply.

The distal end of the Handle is outfitted with a mounting, connector/receiver that mounts/connects to a Radio-frequency Transitter that transmits the image via remote wireless mode onto one or several display monitor screens fitted with a radio-frequency receiver, and it does so simultaneously.

The Handle can accommodate connection of a detachable small and compact color LCD Monitor supported on an adjustable, swivel support. The displays as well as the LCD Monitor display the image of the visual field in full color and picture quality resolution.

Claims

1. A laryngoscope comprising a blade, a handle, a coupler-mount means for mounting the blade to handle, a tube

housing an optical means mounted into its distal end for collecting and transmitting visual image signals of the visual field,

a digital processor means that processes the image signal, a radio-frequency transmitter,

a radio-frequency receiver outfitted display monitor(s), a battery power supply form-molded into the

handle and an LCD monitor display.

2. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 1, used for laryngoscopic instrumentation of patients airways,

for diagnostic examination,

orogharyngeal surgical procedures and direct or indirect visual means of endo-tracheal intubation of the trachea.

3. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in claim 1, for displacing the patients tongue and exposure of the tracheal

opening during the process of endo-tracheal intubation.

4. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in claim 1, comprising a convex proximal surface contour and a distal portion concave surface contour as an essential element of its working surface.

5. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in claim 4, comprising a light means mounted near the distal end as a light source

means of illuminating the visual field.

6. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in claim 5, wherein the light source is a low energy, infrared light emitting diode (LED).

7. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in claim 4, wherein the blade is press formed, with a bending radius to form a surface contour and a flange.

8. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in claim 7, wherein the proximal end is fitted to form a means to couple-mount to the handle.

12. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in claim 8, wherein the blade to handle mounting is by slide-mount means.

13. A laryngoscope handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal end provides a coupler-mount means for blade to

handle mounting.

14. A laryngoscope handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal end provides a tube unit means mounted to handle

and coupler-mount.

15. A laryngoscope handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein handle houses a digital processor means mounted in the proximal end.

16. A laryngoscope handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is contoured to provide an ergonomic means for force

distribution to the blades distal end during the laryngoscopic procedure.

17. A laryngoscope handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is mounted to blade at an angle relative to the

blade'"'"'s averaged longitutinal axis.

18. A laryngoscope handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle holds a form-molded battery means as power supply,

that is molded to form an integral part of the handle.

19. A laryngoscope handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle provides means to connect-mount a detachable radio-frequency transmitter.

20. A laryngoscope handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is fitted to provide means to connect-mount a detachable LCD monitor.

21. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein tube unit houses an optical image sensor means to collect light

image signals from the visual field.

22. An optical image sensor as claimed in claim 21, wherein the optical image sensor and a digital color

processor means are connected by wire.

23. An optical image sensor as claimed in claim 21, wherein it is hermetically sealed into a contoured tube

unit that conforms to the blade curvature and not part of the blade.

24. An optical image sensor as claimed in claim 23, wherein operates at 0-0.7 Lux sensitivity.

25. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein a radio-frequency transmitter connected to handle'"'"'s distal end by a connector mount.

30. A laryngoscope handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein an LCD monitor display is connected to its distal end for display of visual field.

31. An LCD monitor as claimed in claim 30, wherein it is a small, compact display, mounted by means of

a support connector mount that allows axial and swivel viewing adjustment.

32. An LCD monitor as claimed in claim 31, wherein display of the visual field input is in color, and picture

quality resolution, and comprises a battery power supply mounted under its back panel.

9. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in 8, wherein the proximal end mounting means is supported on the flange.

10. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in 9, wherein the proximal end flange is formed and thinned to provide for

maneuvering and pitching the blade without damage to teeth during the procedure.

11. A laryngoscope blade as claimed in 8, wherein the proximal end is fitted with a lock-knob means.

26. A radio-frequency transmitter as claimed in claim 26 wherein it receives its input from a digital color processor means and transmits by preset radio frequency waves to one or multiple color display monitors in the

same or multiple other locations.

27. The display monitors as claimed in claim 26, wherein the display monitors are fitted with a radio-frequency receiver.

28. The display monitors as claimed in claim 27, wherein the display monitors receive the visual image from the visual field by remote and wireless means.

29. Display monitors as claimed in claim 28, wherein the displayed image is in full color, and picture quality resolution.