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

[0020]The first region may extend from the proximal end of the insertion section to the proximal end of the tube guiding surface of the first superior tube contacting member. The first region may extend from the proximal end of the insertion section to the proximal end of the first superior tube contacting member. The first region may include part of the proximal half of the insertion section but not extend to the proximal end of the insertion section. The first region preferably comprises a region of the insertion section which is close to a patient's teeth when the insertion section is fully inserted into a patient, as this can reduce the risk of damage to a patient's teeth.

[0072]As the tube guide is arranged to retain an endotracheal tube such that it is curved at least from where a retained endotracheal tube extends through a patient's teeth when the insertion section is inserted fully into a patient to the first superior tube guiding member, the tube will be easier to insert than would be the case if the endotracheal tube was retained in a generally J-shaped formation and the insertion section will be easier to insert than if the insertion section was arranged in a generally J-shaped formation.

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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