Suctioning laryngoscope blade

• US 6,248,061 B1
• Filed: 11/04/1999
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lewis L. Cook Jr
• Original Assignee: Lewis L. Cook Jr
• Inventors: Cook, Lewis L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirsch, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US09/434,194
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 600/205, 600/187
• US Class Current: 600/187
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes

Abstract

A suctioning laryngoscope blade is provided that allows a user to efficiently suction the airway of a patient without increasing costs or time for the user. More particularly, a suctioning laryngoscope blade is provided that includes a blade portion and a suction tube, coupled to an external surface of the blade portion, wherein the suction tube is a permanent component of the laryngoscope blade.

Claims

1. A laryngoscope blade, comprising:

a blade portion; and

a suction tube, wherein the suction tube is irremoveably integrated with an external surface of the blade portion.

2. The laryngoscope blade of claim 1, wherein the suction tube extends from a first point proximate a first end of the blade portion to a second point proximate a second end of the blade portion.

3. The laryngoscope blade of claim 1, wherein the suction tube has an adaption end and a suction end.

4. The laryngoscope blade of claim 3, wherein the adaption end includes an adapter.

5. The laryngoscope blade of claim 4, wherein the adapter is attachable to a suction catheter, and wherein the suction catheter is attachable to a suction source.

6. The laryngoscope blade of claim 1 further comprising a base portion, positioned proximate a first end of the blade portion, wherein the base portion is attachable to a handle.

7. The laryngoscope blade of claim 1, further comprising a light source disposed proximate the blade portion.

8. The laryngoscope blade of claim 1, wherein the blade portion is curved.

9. The laryngoscope blade of claim 1, wherein the blade portion is substantially straight.

10. The laryngoscope blade of claim 1, wherein the blade portion and the suction tube are metal.

11. The laryngoscope blade of claim 1, wherein the suction tube is formed as a permanent component of the blade portion during construction of the blade portion.

12. The laryngoscope blade of claim 1, wherein the suction tube is welded to the external surface of the blade portion.

13. A laryngoscope blade, comprising:

a metal blade portion; and

a metal suction tube irremoveably fixed to an external surface of the blade portion adjacent a side wall.

14. The laryngoscope blade of claim 13, further comprising a base portion positioned proximate the blade portion.

15. The laryngoscope blade of claim 13, further comprising a handle, wherein the laryngoscope blade couples to the handle.

16. The laryngoscope blade of claim 15, wherein the handle includes a power source for illuminating a light source disposed on the blade portion.

17. The laryngoscope blade of claim 13, wherein the suction tube has an adaption end and a suction end.

18. The laryngoscope blade of claim 17, wherein the adaption end includes an adapter at a location proximate the base portion.

19. The laryngoscope blade of claim 17, wherein the adaption end is attachable to a suction catheter, and wherein the suction catheter is attachable to a suction source.

20. A laryngoscope blade, comprising:

a blade portion having an external surface and a side wall;

a suction tube irremoveably integrated with the external surface of the blade portion adjacent the sidewall, wherein the suction tube includes an adaption end and a suction end; and

wherein the adaption end is attachable to a suction source.