Disposable video laryngoscope with fluid spray system
AssigneeIntublade Co.
InventorAndrew B. Napier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A disposable video laryngoscope includes a novel internal liquid jet spray. This laryngoscope is designed so that the user may utilize either the video mode in which the image is displayed on an external screen, or the device may be used in the same manner as a direct laryngoscope. If the device is used in video mode, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) is placed within a camera housing so as to prevent or reduce fogging of the lens. The device includes an internal spray mechanism that may receive liquid through a luer-connection interface such as is used with syringes or IV tubing systems and that directs a spray onto a fogged or occluded lens to restore vision.
Claims15
A method for inspecting a patient's throat with a disposable laryngoscope, the disposable laryngoscope comprising an imaging apparatus and a fluid distribution apparatus, the method comprising:
- for the imaging apparatus:
- providing an imager enclosure portion disposed along a length of a blade portion of the disposable laryngoscope and having an aperture portion disposed near a distal end of the imager enclosure portion;
- providing an imaging device at least partially enclosed by the imager enclosure portion and configured to capture light passing through the aperture portion;
- providing a transparent physical barrier disposed across the aperture portion;
- and
- imaging a targeted region in the patient's throat by the imaging device;
- and
- for the fluid distribution apparatus:
- receiving fluid at a fluid intake connector disposed in a handle portion of the disposable laryngoscope;
- transporting the received fluid through an internalized channel further disposed in the handle portion to a fluid distribution network disposed in the blade portion, the fluid distribution network being supported by periodically spaced tube guides along the length of the blade;
- transporting the received fluid through the fluid distribution network to a fluid output aperture;
- dispensing the transported fluid from the fluid output aperture to a distal surface of the transparent physical barrier;
- and
- cleaning the distal surface of the transparent physical barrier with fluid pressure from the dispensed fluid.
A method of imaging a patient's throat comprising:
- providing a laryngoscope comprising (i) a handle having an internalized fluid channel between a fluid intake connector and a tube assembly disposed in the blade, and (ii) a blade having an enclosure disposed along a length of the blade, an aperture disposed near a distal end of the enclosure and configured to allow light to enter the enclosure, an imaging device at least partially enclosed by the enclosure, a transparent aperture window configured to provide a transparent physical barrier disposed across the aperture, and a fluid delivery portion configured to deliver fluid to an external surface of the transparent aperture window;
- securing a flexible tube at either end to the blade via tube connectors, a first tube end being connected with the internalized fluid channel to receive fluid, and a second tube end being connected to a fluid output aperture in the fluid delivery portion to dispense the received fluid;
- and
- supporting the flexible tube along the length of the blade by periodically spaced tube guides.
A method of imaging a patient's throat comprising:
- providing a laryngoscope comprising (i) a handle having an internalized fluid chemical between a fluid intake connector and a tube assembly disposed in the blade, and (ii) a blade having an enclosure disposed along a length of the blade, an aperture disposed near a diesel end of the enclosure and configured to allow light to enter the enclosure, an imaging device at least partially enclosed by the enclosure, a transparent aperture window configured to provide a transparent physical barrier deposed across the aperture, and a fluid delivery portion configured to deliver fluid to an external surface of the transparent aperture window;
- securing a flexible tube at either end to the blade via tube connectors, a first tube end being connected with the internalized fluid channel to receive fluid, and a second tube end being connected to a fluid output aperature in the fluid delivery portion to dispense the received fluid;
- wherein securing the flexible tube comprises securing flexible tube having a first diameter that is greater than a cross-sectional area of the fluid output aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.