Laryngoscope with Blade Position Adjustment

• US 20170035284A1
• Filed: 02/16/2016
• Published: 02/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dina Abi Fadel
• Original Assignee: Dina Abi Fadel
• Inventors: Fadel, Dina Abi
• Granted Patent: US 10,765,310 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes

Abstract

A laryngoscope having a blade with various motion functions. The motion functions can be invoked by pushbutton type controls on the handle of the laryngoscope, and can be accomplished mechanically, electrically, or in combination. In addition to one motion suitable for lifting the tongue, the blade can also be adjusted as to its direction of projection from the handle and distance from the handle.

Claims

1. A laryngoscope comprising:

a handle having a front side, a proximal end, and a distal end;

a blade movably coupled to the handle and projecting from the front side of the handle proximate the distal end of the handle; and

a mechanism for moving the blade relative to the handle.

2. The laryngoscope of claim 1, further comprising:

a guide linkage constraining the blade to move in at least one predetermined path relative to the handle;

at least one motor housed in the handle, the at least one motor having a motion output when the motor is operating; and

at least one transmission for each one of the at least one motor, which said at least one transmission moves the blade in the at least one predetermined path responsive to operation of at least one motor.

3. The laryngoscope of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical power source;

electrical circuitry connected to the electrical power source and the at least one motor; and

at least one switch on an exterior of the handle for each at least one motor, each at least one switch switch arranged to make and break power from the electrical power source to the at least one motor.

4. The laryngoscope of claim 2, wherein the predetermined path comprises a first predetermined path wherein the blade inclines at different angles relative to the length of the handle in a plane occupied by a longitudinal center line of the handle and a longitudinal center line of the blade.

5. The laryngoscope of claim 4, wherein the predetermined path comprises a second predetermined path wherein the blade pivots about an axis parallel to the length of the handle.

6. The laryngoscope of claim 4, wherein the predetermined path further comprises a third predetermined path along a plane passing through the handle, wherein an angle between the plane and the blade is constant while the blade moves along the plane.

7. The laryngoscope of claim 4, wherein the predetermined path further comprises a fourth predetermined path extending transversely relative to the length of the handle, wherein an angle between the handle and the blade remains constant while the blade moves transversely relative to the handle.

8. The laryngoscope of claim 2, wherein the predetermined path comprises:

a first predetermined path wherein the blade inclines at different angles relative to the handle;

a second predetermined path wherein the blade pivots about an axis parallel to the length of the handle;

a third predetermined path along the length of the handle, wherein an angle between the handle and the blade remains constant while the blade moves along a plane extending through the handle; and

a fourth predetermined path extending transversely relative to the length of the handle, wherein an angle between the handle and the the blade remains constant while the blade moves transversely relative to the handle.

9. The laryngoscope of claim 8, wherein

the at least one motor comprises:

a first motor arranged to move the blade along the first predetermined path, and the at least one transmission comprises a first transmission arranged to move the blade in the first predetermined path responsive to operation of the first motor;

a first switch on the handle, the first switch arranged to make and break power from the electrical circuitry to the first motor;

a second motor arranged to move the blade along the second predetermined path, and the at least one transmission comprises a second transmission arranged to move the blade in the second predetermined path responsive to operation of the second motor, and a second switch on the handle, the second switch arranged to make and break power from the electrical circuitry to the second motor;

a third motor arranged to move the blade along the third predetermined path, and the at least one transmission comprises a third transmission arranged to move the blade in the third predetermined path responsive to operation of the third motor, and a third switch on the handle, the third switch arranged to make and break power from the electrical circuitry to the third motor; and

a fourth motor arranged to move the blade along the fourth predetermined path, and the at least one transmission comprises a fourth transmission arranged to move the blade in the fourth predetermined path responsive to operation of the fourth motor, and a fourth switch on the handle, the fourth switch arranged to make and break power from the electrical circuitry to the fourth motor.

10. The laryngoscope of claim 9, wherein

the first switch comprises a first subswitch arranged to operate the first motor in a first direction, and a second subswitch arranged to operate the first motor in an opposed direction;

and

wherein the second switch comprises a third subswitch arranged to operate the second motor in a first direction, and a fourth subswitch arranged to operate the second motor in an opposed direction.

11. The laryngoscope of claim 10, wherein the first subswitch, the second subswitch, the third subswitch, and the fourth subswitch are in an array wherein each one of the first subswitch, the second subswitch, the third subswitch, and the fourth subswitch is adjacent to two others of the first subswitch, the second subswitch, the third subswitch, and the fourth subswitch, wherein the first subswitch is opposite the second subswitch in the array, and the third subswitch is opposite the fourth subswitch in the array.

12. The laryngoscope of claim 10, wherein the third switch is a slide action switch movable in opposed directions to operate the third motor selectively in respective opposed directions.

13. The laryngoscope of claim 3, wherein the power source comprises a battery in the handle.

14. The laryngoscope of claim 3, wherein the power source comprises a cord and pronged plug assembly.

15. The laryngoscope of claim 1, further comprising a light source operable to project light from the laryngoscope.

16. The laryngoscope of claim 15, wherein the light source is in the handle.

17. The laryngoscope of claim 15, wherein the light source is in the blade.

18. The laryngoscope of claim 1, further comprising a camera operable to record the environment of the blade.

19. The laryngoscope of claim 18, wherein the camera is in the handle.

20. The laryngoscope of claim 18, wherein the camera is in the blade.