Airway management

• US 8,460,184 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2009
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Turocy and Watson LLP (Amin Turocy & Watson LLP), University Hospitals of Cleveland (University Hospitals Health System Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Turocy and Watson LLP (Amin Turocy & Watson LLP), University Hospitals of Cleveland (University Hospitals Health System Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nearman, Howard S., Voltz, Donald M., Aharon, Alon S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARTER, TARA ROSE E
• Application Number:
  US12/636,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20110144436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 600166-177, 600188-190, 600/194, 600/196, 600/223, 600/225, 600/239, 600/240
• US Class Current: 600/188
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00004 characterised by electronic signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00011 characterised by signal transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/04 Tracheal tubes catheters in general A61M25/00

Abstract

The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate improving visualization associated with intubation. A dynamically articulating laryngoscope blade can be controlled to configure to normal anatomic variants and pathologic abnormalities to facilitate placing of an endotracheal tube into a patient'"'"'s trachea. Further, cameras can be integrated into and/or mounted upon the dynamically articulating laryngoscope blade. The cameras can enable stereoscopic visualization of the laryngeal aperture allowing for depth perception. Moreover, the cameras can be moved independently of the blade allowing for optimal viewing of the laryngeal opening.

Claims

1. An airway management apparatus, comprising:

an articulating blade comprising a plurality of articulation points, the plurality of articulation points comprise at least a first articulation point that alters a curvature associated with the articulating blade and a second articulation point that manipulates a tip of the articulating blade;

a camera mounted on the articulating blade, wherein the camera moves independently of the articulating blade; and

a blade control component that controls manipulation of the articulating blade at one or more of the plurality of articulation points.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the camera being a digital camera.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is configured to view a laryngeal opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, the camera comprises a heating element to mitigate fogging.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising another camera, wherein the camera and the other camera enable stereoscopic visualization of a laryngeal aperture while providing depth perception.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a data store that retains the data obtained by the camera and the other camera.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the data store is removable flash memory.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a communication component that transfers data obtained by at least one of the camera and the other camera to a disparate device, wherein the disparate device outputs the data in real time.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an initialization component that identifies disparate devices within range and enables selection of one or more of the identified disparate devices for directing data transmission.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, the communication component receives control signals from the disparate device, the control signals being utilized by the blade control component to manipulate the articulating blade.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adaptable channel that secures and enables directional placement of an endotracheal tube or intubation stylet into a trachea under direct vision.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle that connects to the articulating blade, the handle comprises a power source or a light transmission system.