Method and apparatus for laryngeal examination

• US 20060069302A1
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Forinnova AS
• Original Assignee: Forinnova AS
• Inventors: Halvorsen, Thomas, Roksund, Ola, Heimdal, John-Helge, Skadberg, Britt
• Granted Patent: US 7,771,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2673 for monitoring movements of vocal chords
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing

Abstract

Method and apparatus for laryngeal examination of a subject (1) during exercise on apparatus such as a treadmill (2), for example to detect laryngeal dysfunction such as vocal cord dysfunction or exercise-induced laryngomalacia. The apparatus comprises a support unit (11) attached to the head (10) of the subject, and a laryngoscope (15) attached to the support unit. The subject exercises whilst the support unit and laryngoscope are attached to the subject. A fibre optic (18) of the laryngoscope is used for transnasal laryngoscopy during exercise and images are stored in a recording device (21).

Claims

1. A method of laryngeal examination of a subject to provide image data for use in the diagnosis of breathing distress, comprising the steps of attaching a support unit to the body of the subject, the support unit carrying laryngoscope apparatus, extending a flexible image receiving portion of the laryngoscope apparatus into the larynx of the subject, and subsequently, whilst the subject carries out exercise, simultaneously monitoring the breathing activity of the subject and recording images from the image receiving portion of the laryngoscope apparatus.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of recording signals from a spirometer to monitor the breathing activity of the subject.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of simultaneously recording a video image of the subject whilst exercising.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of simultaneously recording breathing sounds of the subject whilst exercising.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support unit is attached to the head of the subject.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the laryngoscope apparatus projects upwardly above the subject'"'"'s head.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a face mask is placed over the mouth and nose of the subject, the mask being provided with a spirometer to monitor breathing activity, and the flexible image receiving portion of the laryngoscope apparatus is a fiber optic which passes through the mask and transnasally into the larynx of the subject.

8. A method of analyzing exercise induced breathing distress of a subject, comprising the steps of attaching a support unit to the body of the subject, the support unit carrying laryngoscope apparatus, extending a flexible image receiving portion of the laryngoscope apparatus into the larynx of the subject, subsequently, whilst the subject carries out exercise and at least when the subject'"'"'s breathing is distressed, recording images from the image receiving portion of the laryngoscope apparatus;

and using the images to diagnose the cause of breathing distress.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein data relating to breathing activity of the subject is recorded simultaneously with the images.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8, in which the recorded breathing activity data and images are used to distinguish between breathing distress caused by exercise induced asthma and laryngeal dysfunction, including at least one of vocal cord dysfunction and exercise-induced laryngomalacia.

11. A method for the diagnosis of laryngeal dysfunction in which a transnasal laryngoscopy is carried out during exercise of a subject.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, including the step of recording video images produced by the laryngoscope.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, including the step of simultaneously recording signals from a spirometer.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, including the step of simultaneously recording a video image of the subject.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, including the step of simultaneously recording breathing sounds of the subject.

16. A method of laryngeal examination of a subject during exercise, comprising the steps of attaching a support unit to the subject, there being laryngoscope apparatus attached to the support unit, and passing a flexible image receiving portion of the laryngoscope into the larynx of the subject.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the subject performs exercises with at least the upper part of the body directed in an upwards direction.

18. Apparatus for use in laryngeal examination of a subject during exercise, comprising a support unit provided with straps for attaching the support unit adjustably to the head of the subject;

and a laryngoscope attached adjustably to the support unit, the laryngoscope including a transnasal flexible image receiving fiber optic element.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, including a face mask provided with a spirometer, the image receiving fiber optic element of the laryngoscope passing through the mask.

20. Apparatus for use in laryngeal examination of a subject during exercise, comprising a support unit having means for attaching the support unit to the head of the subject, and laryngoscope apparatus attached to the support unit.