LARYNGOSCOPE INSERTION SECTION STRUCTURE

• US 20130060089A1
• Filed: 05/13/2011
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Aircraft Medical Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: McGrath, Matthew John Ross, Inglis, Peter Douglas Colin
• Granted Patent: US 9,775,505 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/187
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes

Abstract

Disclosed is a laryngoscope insertion section having a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface, and a channel extending from the proximal end the channel having an inferior internal surface with a greater curvature than the curvature of the inferior surface. The insertion section is compatible with laryngoscope hardware optimised for indirect viewing, yet enables direct viewing. Additionally, the distance between the inferior and superior surfaces is at a maximum within the intermediate portion, and enables the dimensions of the proximal and distal portions to be minimized. Thus, the intermediate portion, which is located in the patient'"'"'s oral cavity in use, is provided with greatest depth and therefore strength where the greatest forces are received, whereas the distal and proximal portions are of reduced dimensions to as to minimize trauma to the patient'"'"'s airway and mouth areas, respectively, in use. Further structural features providing the insertion section with improved strength, with a minimum of material and size, are also disclosed.

Claims

1-82. -82. (canceled)

83. A laryngoscope insertion section having a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion, a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface, and a channel extending from the proximal end of the insertion section and through at least part of the intermediate portion, the channel having an inferior internal surface, wherein the curvature of the inferior internal surface is greater than the curvature of the inferior surface of the intermediate portion.

84. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83 wherein the distance between the inferior and superior surfaces is at a maximum within the intermediate portion.

85. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein the curvature of the channel is substantially equal to the curvature of the superior surface.

86. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein the curvature of the inferior surfaces of the intermediate and distal portions, are not exceeded by the curvature of the inferior surface in the region between the intermediate and distal portions.

87. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein the curvature of the inferior surface is defined by an inferior radius, and the curvature of the superior surface is defined by a superior radius, wherein the superior radius is smaller than the inferior radius.

88. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein the curvature of the inferior surface is defined by an inferior radius, and the curvature of the inferior internal surface is defined by an internal radius, wherein the internal radius is smaller than the inferior radius.

89. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein an aperture extends through the intermediate portion between the inferior surface and the superior surface, or a recess extends the majority of the way through the intermediate portion, between the inferior surface and the channel.

90. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 89, wherein the aperture or recess is elongate and has a superior inner surface substantially parallel to the inferior surface.

91. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 89, wherein the aperture or recess extends through the intermediate portion between the inferior surface and the channel.

92. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein a strengthening member is provided in the channel.

93. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein a strengthening element is provided in the intermediate portion.

94. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 93, wherein the strengthening element extends within the distal portion.

95. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein a strengthening element is provided in the distal section.

96. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 93, wherein at least part of the strengthening element is planar.

97. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 93, wherein an aperture extends through the intermediate portion between the inferior surface and the superior surface and wherein at least part of the strengthening element extends between the inferior surface and the aperture.

98. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 97, wherein the strengthening element is a wire or filament composed of a secondary material which is strong in tension.

99. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 98, comprising a plurality of strengthening elements through the intermediate portion between the inferior surface and the aperture.

100. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 92, wherein an aperture extends through the intermediate portion, and through the strengthening element, between the inferior surface and the superior surface.

101. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 92, wherein the strengthening element extends along the at least some of the length of the insertion section and a first portion of the strengthening element is generally parallel to the interior surface and a second portion of the strengthening element is generally perpendicular to the inferior surface, and wherein the first and second portions of the strengthening element meet along at least part of the length of the laryngoscope insertion section through which the strengthening element extends.

102. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 101, wherein a third portion of the strengthening element is generally parallel to the superior surface, and wherein the first and second portions, and the second and third portions, of the strengthening element meet along at least part of the length of the laryngoscope insertion section through which the strengthening element extends, the strengthening element thereby formed in the shape of a girder along at least part of the length of the laryngoscope insertion section.

103. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein one or more of;

a camera, a light source, a light guide, a strengthening member, an image capture device, a gas supply;

is provided in the channel.

104. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein a lens is provided at the distal end of the channel.

105. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, further comprising a plurality of endotracheal tube guiding members extending laterally therefrom, having tube guiding surfaces which are arranged to contact and thereby guide the inferior or superior surface of a retained endotracheal tube introduced thereto.

106. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein the inferior surface extends laterally beyond the superior surface along all or a substantial part of its length.

107. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein the curvature of the superior surface of the proximal portion is the same or substantially the same as the curvature of the superior surface of the intermediate portion.

108. A laryngoscope comprising a body portion and a laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, the laryngoscope insertion section having a proximal portion connected to the body portion.

109. A laryngoscope according to claim 108, wherein the laryngoscope insertion section is releasably secured to the body portion.

110. A laryngoscope according to claim 108, wherein the proximal portion comprises an engaging formation for releasably securing the laryngoscope insertion section to the laryngoscope body.

111. A laryngoscope according to claim 109, comprising a hardware-containing member extending from the body, the hardware containing member slideably received within the channel.

112. A laryngoscope according to claim 111, wherein the hardware-containing member functions as a strengthening member.

113. A laryngoscope according to claim 111, wherein the hardware-containing member comprises one or more, or all, of;

a camera, a light source, a light guide, a strengthening member, an image capture device, a gas supply.

114. A laryngoscope comprising a body portion and a laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 83, wherein a strengthening element is provided in at least the intermediate portion of the laryngoscope insertion section.

115. A laryngoscope according to claim 114, wherein an aperture extends through, or a recess extends at least the majority of the way through, the intermediate portion between the inferior surface and the superior surface and wherein at least part of the strengthening element extends between the inferior surface and the aperture.

116. A laryngoscope according to claim 114, wherein an aperture extends through, or a recess extends at least the majority of the way through, the intermediate portion, and through the strengthening element, between the inferior surface and the superior surface.

117. A kit comprising a laryngoscope body and a laryngoscope insertion section, having a proximal portion for releasable connection to the laryngoscope body, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion, having a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface, and a channel extending from the proximal end of the insertion section and through at least part of the intermediate portion, the channel having an inferior internal surface, wherein the curvature of the inferior internal surface is greater than the curvature of the inferior surface.

118. A kit according to claim 117, wherein the distance between the inferior and superior surfaces is at a maximum within the intermediate portion.

119. A kit according to claim 117, comprising a plurality of laryngoscope insertion sections inferior surfaces with different curvatures but having channels with inferior internal surfaces with the same curvature.

120. A kit according to claim 117, comprising a plurality of laryngoscope insertion sections.

121. A kit according to claim 117, comprising laryngoscope insertion sections of different sizes.

122. A laryngoscope insertion section having a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface, and a channel extending through at least part of the length of the laryngoscope insertion section the channel having an inferior internal surface, wherein, at least one location the distance between the inferior internal surface of the channel and the inferior surface, directly inferiorly of the channel, is more than 2 mm.

132. A laryngoscope comprising a body portion and a laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 122.

123. A laryngoscope insertion section having a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface, wherein, in an intermediate portion of the insertion section, the superior surface and the inferior surface have substantially constant radius curves, wherein the radius of curvature of the superior surface is less than the radius of curvature of the inferior surface.

124. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 123, wherein the superior surface has the same radius of curvature in a proximal portion of the insertion section, such that the superior surface of the proximal and intermediate portions of the insertion section describe an arc of a circle.

125. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 123, wherein in the intermediate portion, the radius of curvature of the inferior surface is between 40 mm and 220 mm.

126. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 123, wherein the centre of curvature of the inferior surface is closer to the said centre line than the centre of curvature of the superior surface.

127. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 123, wherein the distance between the insertion section and the centre of curvature of the inferior surface is greater than the distance between the insertion section and the centre of curvature of the superior surface.

128. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 123, wherein the insertion section is configured so that a user may obtain a direct or indirect view of the trachea during endotracheal intubation.

133. A laryngoscope comprising a body portion and a laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 123.

129. A laryngoscope insertion section having a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface wherein, in a proximal portion of the insertion section, the superior surface and the inferior surface substantially describe arcs of concentric circles.

134. A laryngoscope comprising a body portion and a laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 129.

130. A laryngoscope insertion section having a curved superior surface and a curved inferior surface, wherein, in an intermediate portion of the insertion section, the superior surface and the inferior surface have substantially constant radius curves, wherein centre of curvature of the superior surface and the centre of curvature of the inferior surface are at least 15 mm apart.

131. A laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 130, wherein, in the intermediate portion, the distance between the centre of curvature of the inferior surface and the centre of curvature of the superior surface is in the range 25 to 75 mm.

135. A laryngoscope comprising a body portion and a laryngoscope insertion section according to claim 130.