Laryngoscope with camera attachement

• US 20070167686A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Aircraft Medical Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: McGrath, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 9,820,641 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/188
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00062 provided with means for preventing overuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/044 for absorption imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0661 Endoscope light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1043 Scanning the radiation beam, e.g. spot scanning or raster scanning

Abstract

The invention relates to medical devices for carrying out internal examination, such as laryngoscopes (1). The laryngoscope is provided with a camera element (7) within a channel (6) inside the blade (3).

Claims

1. A medical device for carrying out internal examination, comprising:

a body portion and a blade portion, wherein the blade portion comprises an at least partially rigid probe means which is at least partially transparent and through which a channel partially runs.

2. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein an image capture means is provided within the channel.

3. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein the entire rigid probe means is transparent.

4. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein at least part of the transparent section of the rigid probe means forms a lens for use with the image capture means.

5. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein the rigid probe means has a spatulate shape.

6. A medical device as in claim 2, wherein the image capture means is a camera.

7. A medical device as in claim 2, wherein the image capture means is a fibre optic cable that is able to transmit an image.

8. A medical device as in claim 7, wherein the medical device is a laryngoscope.

9. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein a light source is provided in the channel.

10. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein a strengthening element is provided in the channel.

11. A medical device as in claim 10, wherein the strengthening element is in the form of a steel rod.

12. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein the body section is provided with a screen for showing the images captured by the image capturing means and any other information.

13. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein data is transferred between the body element and the blade element wirelessly.

14. A medical device as in claim 13, wherein data is transferred between the body element and the blade element via contact points present on both the body element and the blade element.

15. A medical device as in claim 13, wherein data is transferred between the body element and the blade element by optical transfer means.

16. A medical device as in claim 13, wherein data is transferred between the body element and the blade element by radio frequency transfer means.

17. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein lenses are used to transfer image and/or light through a curved or angled portion of the blade.

18. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein reflecting means are used to transfer image and/or light through a curved or angled portion of the blade.

19. A rigid probe means for use with medical devices for internal examination, wherein the rigid probe means is at least partially transparent and has a channel running partially through it.

20. A rigid probe means as in claim 19, wherein the channel runs in a longitudinal direction.

21. A rigid probe means as in claim 19, wherein the entire rigid probe means is transparent.

22. A rigid probe means as in claim 19, wherein at least part of the rigid probe means forms a lens.

23. A rigid probe means as in claim 19, wherein the rigid probe means has a spatulate shape.