Endotracheal video device

• US 20060004260A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, KARL Storz GmbH & Company Kg
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
• Inventors: Ehrhardt, Andre, Chatenever, David, Irion, Klaus M., Barry, James P., Berci, George, Boedeker, Ben, Mattsson-Boze, Daniel, Kaplan, Marshal B., Rudischhauser, Jurgen
• Application Number:
  US11/174,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20060004260A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/188
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0409 with mean for closing the oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02

Abstract

An endotracheal device for use with a supra-laryngeal mask including a video display for providing images of the area ahead of the endotracheal device to facilitate insertion without damaging the surrounding tissue; the endotracheal device having a flexible portion and a rigid portion maintaining a light and an image guide for transmitting illuminating light ahead of the endotracheal device and for transmitting reflected light from the area ahead of the endotracheal device.

Claims

1. An endotracheal device for use with a supra-laryngeal mask and attachable to a camera comprising:

an light guide;

an image guide;

a first connector associated with said endotracheal device, said first connector terminating the light guide and the image guide and engagable with a second connector on the camera; and

an outer housing enclosing said light and said image guides;

said outer housing having a flexible portion that may be bent by a user, and a rigid portion that substantially maintains a rigid preformed shape.

2. The endotracheal device according to claim 1 wherein said first connector comprises a two-stem connector, a first stem terminating the light guide and a second stem terminating the image guide.

3. The endotracheal device according to claim 1 wherein illuminating light is transmitted to an area ahead of said blade via the light guide.

4. The endotracheal device according to claim 1 wherein reflected light from the area ahead of said blade is transmitted back to the camera via the image guide.

5. The endotracheal device according to claim 1 wherein the supra laryngeal device is disposable.

6. The endotracheal device according to claim 1 further comprising a locking element for securing the endotracheal device to the camera.

7. The endotracheal device according to claim 1 wherein the flexible portion of said outer housing is greater than the rigid portion of said outer housing.

8. The endotracheal device according to claim 1 further comprising a securing clip for affixing the endotracheal device to the supra laryngeal device.

9. The endotracheal device according to claim 8 wherein the securing clip fastens between the supra laryngeal device and the rigid portion of the outer housing.

10. The endotracheal device according to claim 1 further comprising a sheath attached to and substantially following a curvature of the supra laryngeal device, said sheath provided to receive the flexible portion of the outer housing therein.

11. The endotracheal device according to claim 1 wherein said outer housing comprises stainless steel.

12. An endotracheal device for use with a supra-laryngeal mask comprising:

an light guide;

an image guide;

a first connector terminating the light guide and the image guide;

an outer housing enclosing said light and said image guides;

said outer housing having a flexible portion that may be bent by a user, and a rigid portion that substantially maintains a rigid preformed shape; and

a camera for generating image data, said camera having a second connector that is engagable with said first connector along a path of movement.

13. The endotracheal device according to claim 12 further comprising a light source for generating illuminating light.

14. The endotracheal device according to claim 13 wherein said light source is located in said camera.

15. The endotracheal device according to claim 13 wherein the illuminating light is transmitted to an area ahead of said blade via the light guide.

16. The endotracheal device according to claim 15 wherein reflected light from the area ahead of said blade is transmitted back to the camera via the image guide.

17. The endotracheal device according to claim 16 further comprising a video screen for display of the image data.

18. The endotracheal device according to claim 12 further comprising a power source located in said camera.

19. The endotracheal device according to claim 12 further comprising a transmitter for transmitting the image data to a remote location.

20. The endotracheal device according to claim 19 further comprising:

a receiver for receiving the transmitted image data; and

a video screen for display of the image data.

21. An endotracheal device for assisting in the intubation of a patient, the endotracheal device connectable to a camera having a camera connector and comprising:

a light guide;

an image guide;

an endotracheal device connector terminating one end of the light guide and the image guide;

an outer housing enclosing said light and said image guides; and

said outer housing having a flexible portion that may be bent by a user, and a rigid portion that substantially maintains a rigid preformed shape;

wherein said endotracheal device connector is engagable with the camera connector along a path of movement.

22. The endotracheal device according to claim 21 wherein said endotracheal device connector further comprises a first stem terminating said light guide and a second stem terminating said image guide;

said endotracheal device connector receivable in the camera connector.

23. The endotracheal device according to claim 21 wherein the flexible portion is larger than the rigid portion.

24. The endotracheal device according to claim 21 wherein a distal end of said outer housing is sealed by a window.

25. The endotracheal device according to claim 21 further comprising a sheath connected to a laryngeal mask, the endotracheal device insertable into said sheath.

26. The endotracheal device according to claim 25 wherein said sheath substantially following a curvature of the laryngeal mask and including a securing clip fastening the endotracheal device to the laryngeal mask.