VIDEO LARYNGOSCOPE SYSTEM AND DEVICES

• US 20100261967A1
• Filed: 04/14/2010
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verathon Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verathon Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kim, Yongkook, Pacey, John Allen, Yazdi, Reza Ahmadian, Visser, Mitchell
• Application Number:
  US12/760,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20100261967A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/186
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/06 with illuminating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0484 at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0486 Multi-lumen tracheal tubes
• 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: A61M 16/0495 with tongue depressors

Abstract

An embodiment encompassing reusable video laryngoscopes that are insertable into transparent or non-transparent disposable sheaths having clear optically clear viewing windows that receive contact with camera lens. The reusable video laryngoscopes are configured to be detachably secured by locking tabs located in the transparent or non-transparent disposable sheaths with complementary shaped posts and ledges of the video laryngoscopes. The video laryngoscopes that are secured into the transparent or non-transparent disposable sheaths may be inserted into the patient'"'"'s mouth to provide clear camera viewing through the optically clear window ports of the transparent or non-transparent disposable sheaths to allow endotracheal procedures to be undertaken. The transparent or non-transparent disposable sheaths are sterilizable and may be used just once for a given patient. The video laryngoscopes in the form of a baton are detachably removeable from the disposable sheath exposed to a patient.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a sheath having a handle with at least one retaining clasp, a blade having a window on the posterior side directed distally, and a chamber traversing through the sheath,

wherein a video baton upon insertion into the chamber places a sensor of the video baton adjacent to the window and the video baton is secured inside the sheath by the at least one retaining clasp.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining clasp includes an adjoining tapered wedge engageable with the surface of the exterior of the video baton.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video baton includes a light source.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video baton is removable from the chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the laryngoscope housing comprises material amenable to undergo at least one of a cleaning process, a decontamination process, and a sterilization process.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining clasp is configured to break upon removal of the video baton from the chamber.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a sheath configured for insertion in the oropharynx of a patient, the sheath having a handle, a blade having a ridge distal to the handle, at least one retaining clasp, and a chamber traversing through the handle, beneath the blade, and having a window located near the distal end of the blade; and

a video member configured for insertion into the chamber,

wherein upon insertion of the video member the lens of the video member is placed adjacent to the window and is secured by the at least one retaining clasp engaging with the exterior of the video member and the ridge is configured to press against the vallecula of the patient to displace the epiglottis upward to reveal the glottic aperture.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one retaining clasp includes adjoining tapered wedge engageable with the surface of the exterior of the video member.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one retaining clasp is configured to break upon removal of the video member from the chamber

10. An apparatus comprising:

a sheath configured for insertion in the oropharynx of a patient, the sheath having a handle, a blade having a ridge distal to the handle, at least one retaining clasp, and a chamber traversing through the handle, beneath the blade, and having a window located near the distal end of the blade; and

a video member configured for insertion into the chamber,

wherein upon insertion of the video member the lens of the video member is placed adjacent to the window and is secured by the at least one retaining clasp engaging with the exterior of the video member and the ridge is configured to lift the epiglottis upward to reveal the glottic aperture.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one retaining clasp includes adjoining tapered wedge engageable with the surface of the exterior of the video member.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one retaining clasp is configured to break upon removal of the video member from the chamber.

13. A system comprising:

a sheath configured for insertion in the oropharynx of a patient, the sheath having a handle, a blade having a ridge distal to the handle, at least one retaining clasp, and a chamber traversing through the handle, beneath the blade, and having a window located near the distal end of the blade; and

a video member configured for insertion into the chamber; and

a monitor in signal communication with the video member,

wherein upon insertion of the video member the lens of the video member is placed adjacent to the window and is secured by the at least one retaining clasp engaging with the exterior of the video member, images are conveyed to the monitor, and the ridge is configured to do at least one of displacing the epiglottis of the patient upwards by pressing against the valeculla or to lift the epiglottis upwards to reveal the glottic aperture.

14. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one retaining clasp is configured to break upon removal of the video member from the chamber.

15. A method comprising:

placing a sheath covered laryngoscope having a video camera in the oropharynx of a patient;

placing an endotracheal tube adjacent to the sheath covered laryngoscope in the oropharynx of the patient;

obtaining monitor-displayed images of the oropharynx, and based on the monitor displayed images;

displacing the endotracheal tube by the distal tip of the laryngoscope to reveal the glottic aperture; and

advancing the ETT through the glottic aperture, beyond the vocal cords, and into the trachea.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein displacing the epiglottis includes pressing the distal tip against the patient'"'"'s vallecula to swing the epiglottis upwards.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein displacing the epiglottis includes lifting the epiglottis upwards by the distal tip.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein placing the endotracheal tube further comprises inserting a stylet in a lumen of the endotracheal tube.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein advancing the endotracheal tube includes retracting the stylet proximally towards the user while simultaneously advancing the endotracheal tube distally towards the glottic aperture.

20. A laryngoscope comprising:

a sheath further comprising;

an interior chamber defined by the sheath;

a sheath handle portion having at least one retaining clasp and defining an opening to the interior chamber;

a sheath blade portion for insertion into the mouth having a distal portion terminating with a distal tip, a proximal portion, an anterior side for controlling a tongue and engaging an epiglottis, and a window on a posterior side directed toward the distal tip; and

a video baton having a camera portion in communication with a baton handle portion;

the video baton configured to fit within the interior chamber such that the camera portion is adjacent to the window and the baton handle portion is surrounded by the sheath handle portion when the at least one retaining clasp engages the video baton.