Laryngoscope insertion section

Abstract

A laryngoscope insertion section comprising a tube guide comprising at least an inferior tube guiding member and a superior tube guiding member, wherein the thickness of the insertion section in a first region is less than the external diameter of the largest diameter endotracheal tube in an operating range of endotracheal tube sizes plus the thickness of the inferior tube guiding member plus the thickness of the superior tube guiding member. Typically, the insertion section comprises an elongate member and the tube guide is lateral of the elongate member. Typically, an endotracheal tube is retained within the tube guide in flexural tension.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to the field of laryngoscope insertion sections which include a tube guide for detachably retaining an endotracheal tube and guiding a retained endotracheal tube towards a patient's larynx.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Laryngoscopes comprise insertion sections, which are the elongate part of a laryngoscope which extends towards and into a patient's oral cavity during intubation. Insertion sections may be removably attachable to a laryngoscope body, integral parts of laryngoscopes or themselves function as laryngoscopes. As well as an insertion section, laryngoscopes typically comprises a handle which is usually elongate and which may be arranged at an angle to the proximal end of the insertion section or generally parallel to the proximal end of the insertion section, or at any angle therebetween.[0003]Some known laryngoscope insertion sections, such as Miller or Wisconsin insertion sections, are substantially flat. However, the i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0047]The tube guiding surface of the inferior tube guiding member preferably extends proximally of the tube guiding surface of the first superior tube guiding member. Thus, the inferior surface of a retained endotracheal tube may be guided proximally of the first superior tube guiding member without the superior surface of a retained endotracheal tube being guided along the entire length of the tube guiding surface of the inferior tube guiding member. This reduces the overall bulk of the insertion section as a retained tube can be guided adequately using a first superior tube guiding member with only a relatively short tube guiding surface and an inferior tube guiding member with a tube guiding surface which extends distally of the tube guiding surface of the first superior tube guiding member. Preferably, the tube guiding surface of the inferior tube guiding member extends at least 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm and most preferably 4 to 5 cm proximally of the tube guiding surface of the first superior tube guiding member. The tube guiding surface of the inferior tube guiding member may be entirely proximal of the tube guiding surface of the first superior tube guiding member, further reducing bulk.

[0048]Preferably, the tube guide is arranged such that a retained endotracheal tube can be removed laterally from the tube guide. This facilitates removal of the endotracheal tube in situ within a patient. Preferably, the insertion section is arranged such that a retained endotracheal tube remains exposed along an entire lateral side (e.g. along the entirety of the most lateral point on the tube, along the length of the tube). By avoiding covering the lateral side of a retained endotracheal tube, the overall bulk of the insertion section is reduced.

Problems solved by technology

However, a potential disadvantage is that tube guides increase the bulk of the insertion section.

Another problem with known insertion sections with tube guides is that they are typically designed for use with endotracheal tubes of a limited range of sizes.

Firstly, the insertion of a J-shaped insertion section into a patient's oral cavity can be difficult.

Secondly, this arrangement means that, when the endotracheal tube is pushed forward to advance the tube, a resistive force is developed on the superior side of the tube guide where the endotracheal tube bends from being substantially straight to curved, which increases friction.

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