Laryngoscope With Means to Restrict Re-Use of Blades

• US 20070299313A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 12/27/2007
• 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 9,687,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/186
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 dummy group

Abstract

The invention relates to medical devices for carrying out internal examination, such as laryngoscopes (1). In particular, it relates to laryngoscopes (1) or devices which have a disposable blade (3) and provides means for restricting the re-use of blades (3) which have been used previously.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

a body portion and a blade portion, wherein the blade portion is separable from the body portion, and wherein the medical device is provided with a spoiling means for indicating if a particular blade portion has already been attached to a body portion previously.

2. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein the spoiling means prevents reattachment of a blade that has already been attached to a body portion previously.

3. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein the spoiling means alerts a user to a blade that has already been attached to a body portion previously.

4. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein the spoiling means comprises a transmitting means and a receiving means in the body, which send and receive signals respectively with a receiving and transmitting means in the blade.

5. A medical device as in claim 4, wherein the receiving means in the body is adapted to determine from the transmitting means in the blade, if the blade has previously been brought into close proximity of a body portion previously.

6. A medical device as in claim 4, wherein the transmitting means is a radio frequency transmitter.

7. A medical device as in claim 4, wherein the receiving means is a radio frequency receiver.

8. A medical device as in claim 4, wherein the receiving means in the body is adapted to count the number of blades it contacts with.

9. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein the spoiling means comprises a device for tripping electrical contacts to prevent their continued use.

10. A medical device as in claim 1, wherein the spoiling means comprises elements that cause a physical change if a particular blade portion has already been attached to the body portion previously.

11. A medical device as in claim 10, wherein the spoiling means comprises locking elements that break off when the blade and body are separated.

12. A medical device as in claim 11, wherein the locking elements comprise a male protrusion and a female ingression, one of which is provided on the blade and one of which is provided on the body.

13. A medical device as in claim 12, wherein the male protrusion is provided with a weakened section.

14. A medical device as in claim 12, wherein the female ingression is provided with a weakened section.