Penlight laryngoscope
OwnerJames F. Gainesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to a penlight laryngoscope which is particularly useful by veterinarians in the examination of many animals. It finds use in long nosed animals as well as smaller animals such as squirrels, rabbits and other small species. The penlight is removable from the instrument permitting autoclave sterilization. The instrument includes a barrel portion for receiving the light source, a middle blade portion which has a concave surface and a flat terminal end portion. The concave portion provides a reflective surface to illuminate the area under examination and also adds strength to the blade. The flat terminal end has tapered sides which permit the pushing aside of the cheeks of small animals for examining their molars. The penlight laryngoscope also finds use in the examination of humans.
Claims8
An in-line unitary illuminated laryngoscope and examining instrument comprising:
- an in-line unitary examining instrument and removable lighting means;
- said in-line unitary examining instrument including a first generally cylindrical barrel portion having a first open end and a second oppositely disposed end with stop means thereon and a centrally located slot extending the full length of said first generally cylindrical barrel portion for receiving and retaining said removable lighting means;
- a second arcuate blade portion extending forward from said second end of said first generally cylindrical barrel portion and having a slight concave curvature facing upwardly along its upper surface;
- and
- a third flat portion integral with and extending forward from said second arcuate blade portion a short distance forming the terminal end thereof with each of said first, second and third portions in axial alignment and having a common longitudinal axis;
- whereby said illuminated laryngoscope can be manipulated by one hand of the user to depress a tongue, expand cheeks, and displace an epiglotis while illuminating the oral cavity and directing light to the larynx while performing an examination or manipulation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.