Laryngoscope
AssigneeJames R. Bullard
InventorsJames R. Bullard, Richard P. Muller, Benedett Grossi, John Christine
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for moving an object in the larynx and trachea region of a patient for use with a laryngoscope having a working channel. The device has an elongate shaft adapted for movement within the working channel of the laryngoscope. Located at a distal region of the shaft are grasping jaws. The placement device can grasp an object, move the object relative to the laryngoscope and release the object from the placement device at a desired position.
Claims24
A laryngoscope having a frame with a relatively rigid blade having a working channel and a placement device for positioning a workpiece in the larynx and upper trachea region of a patient, the placement device comprising:
- elongate shaft means adapted for movement within said working channel of the laryngoscope, said shaft means having a distal region and a proximal region;
- means for controlling longitudinal movement of said shaft means through said working channel, said control means including means for fixedly but movably connecting said shaft mean proximal region to said frame;
- and
- grasping means located at said distal region of said shaft means, said grasping means being adapted to grasp, hold and release at least a portion of a workpiece whereby said placement device can grasp a workpiece, move a workpiece relative to the laryngoscope and release a workpiece from said placement device at a desired position.
A laryngoscope as is claimed wherein said grasping means comprises a set of jaws.
A laryngoscope for use in positioning a tube into the larynx and trachea region of a patient, comprising:
- elongate rigid blade means having a proximal region and a distal region and a relatively enclosed working channel therebetween, said working channel having an opening at said distal region;
- and
- means for positioning a leading portion of a tube to be inserted from a first position proximate said blade distal region to a second position extended from said blade distal region, said positioning means having a movable extension means at least partially positioned in said working channel and a distal end grasping means for grasping a tube, said grasping means and a leading portion of said extension means being extendable from said opening at said blade means distal region whereby said positioning means can move a leading portion of a tube into the larynx and trachea region of a patient by moving said extension means while said blade means remains relatively stationary.
A laryngoscope comprising:
- a frame having relatively rigid blade for displacing the epiglottis of a patient, said blade having a working conduit therein with a first opening at a blade distal end;
- and
- a placement device at least partially movably located in said working conduit for placing an intubation tube in the larynx and upper trachea region of a patient, said placement device having a flexible shaft, distal end jaws and means for controlling longitudinal movement of said shaft in said working conduit whereby said distal end jaws and a leading portion of said shaft can be extended from said first opening to position a tube connected thereto and wherein said placement device is fixedly but removably connected to said frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.