Surgery – Specula – Laryngoscope
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-19
2001-01-16
Leubecker, John P. (Department: 3739)
Surgery
Specula
Laryngoscope
C600S194000, C600S199000, C600S131000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174281
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of medical equipment and more specifically it is concerned with a device for endotracheal inspection and intubation, referred to as a laryngoscope.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Endotracheal inspection is required for visualizing the vocal cords and the opening to the trachea performed by physicians for many purposes. Endotracheal intubation wherein an airway tube is inserted into the trachea), is carried out at each general anaesthesia procedure and is a first and most crucial stage in resuscitation due to respiratory arrest. The intubation procedure must be performed as quickly and smoothly as possible and without injuring the patient.
Existing laryngoscopes require highly trained personnel for performing a correct intubation procedure and individual anatomic and physiologic parameters of each patient must be considered, e.g. tongue size, length of neck, variations of the lower jaw and teeth, etc., and even more so, special conditions such as spasm of neck and face muscles, head or neck injuries, etc.
The known laryngoscopes aye of standard sizes and shape and do not provide any adjusting to anatomic variants. In many cases, the blade of the laryngoscope losses grab of the tongue and slips out of position due to the oral mucosas, loosing fatal time and possibly injuring the patient.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel device for carrying out tracheal inspection and intubation procedures with essentially reducing the required level of skill for performing such procedures and reducing the probability of injury to patients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided an endotracheal inspection and intubation device comprising a handle and a blade for opening the trachea and allowing visualization of the vocal cords and the opening to the trachea, the blade holding an illuminator for illumination of the epiglottis and the opening to the trachea, with power source being comprised within the handle; the blade comprises a rigid rear and front portion and a flexible intermediate portion; the rear portion and the intermediate portion having a generally L-like cross-sectional shape with a horizontal base for depressing the tongue and a vertical member, the front end being essentially flat and having a shape and size such as to allow depression of the tongue's base and vallecula so as to elevate the epiglottis; the blade holding a flexible deflection member with a front end fixed to the front portion of the blade, the deflection member being slidably retained by guide means to at least the intermediate portion; the handle having an activator with an engagement member for engaging with a rear end of the deflection member for causing axial displacement thereof upon actuation of the activator, thus entailing deflection of the blade. The arrangement is such that the intermediate portion of the blade renders the blade inherent elasticity and adjustable bending force, whereby the blade tends to retain its original position.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the vertical member in the intermediate portion is segmented by a plurality of slots, each of the slots having an open end at the members' top and extending downwards ending at the base; the blade holding a flexible pushing rod with a front end fixed to the front portion and a free rear end, the rod being slidably retained within guide means in the rear portion and in the upper end of the vertical member of each of the segments of the intermediate portion; the activator having a pushing member for bearing on to the free end and causing forward axial displacement of the pushing rod upon actuation of the activator.
By another embodiment of the present invention said deflection member is a cable fixed under the blade to the front end thereof and extending essentially flush with the blade's bottom surface by the guide means; said engagement member being a pulling member attached to a rear end of the cable for drawing the cable upon actuation of the activator.
According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the handle further comprises a ratchet mechanism activated by the activator for fixing the pushing member at intermediate positions, and a release mechanism for instant release of the ratchet mechanism. According to one variation, the final stroke of the ratchet mechanism is essentially longer than the preceding ones and said final stroke is not fixable.
According to one application, the ratchet mechanism comprises a cogged member fixed to the activator and rotatable about an axis of operation at a top end of the activator, and a swingable cogged pawl spring biased in a direction so as to arrest the cogged member at a desired angular position thereto and wherein the release mechanism consists of at least one knob projecting from the handle, said knob adjusted for displacing a prying rod for disengaging the cogged pawl of the ratchet mechanism form the cogged member.
The blade may be integral with the handle or, it may be detachably connected to the handle and secured thereto by a standard fitting. However, the handle may also be provided with an auxiliary locking device for rigidly connecting the blade to the handle.
A specific application of the auxiliary locking device comprises a pivotal, spring biased catch at a rear, top end of the handle being adapted for engagement within a suitable recess at a rear end of the blade. Another embodiment of the locking device may comprise said auxiliary locking device comprises a rotatable locking piece at a rear, top end of the handle, said locking piece provided with a groove having a peripheral opening and adapted for engaging a rearward projection of the blade.
In a preferred application of the preferred embodiment, each of the slots has at its end adjacent the base an opening for reducing stress concentration.
The blade according to the present invention may be made of a plastic or thermoplastic material and the front edge of the blade may have a tip concaved at a plane of the base or a tip convexed at a plane of the base. The tip may also be concaved at a plane perpendicular to that of the base.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4314551 (1982-02-01), Kadell
patent: 4360008 (1982-11-01), Corazelli et al.
patent: 4384570 (1983-05-01), Roberts
patent: 4573451 (1986-03-01), Bauman
patent: 4574784 (1986-03-01), Soloway
patent: 4580551 (1986-04-01), Siegmund et al.
patent: 5060633 (1991-10-01), Gibson
patent: 5651760 (1997-07-01), Upsher
Arcomedic Ltd.
Leubecker John P.
Nath Gary M.
Nath & Associates
Novick Harold L.
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