Insertion section for laryngoscope with lateral tube guide

Abstract

A laryngoscope insertion section for a laryngoscope, which is typically a video laryngoscope, includes a lateral tube guide configured to retain an endotracheal tube in a plane. A viewing port for a camera or other image collector is laterally displaced from the plane of the endotracheal tube. The said plane of the endotracheal tube is aligned substantially in the same plane as a patients median plane and the tube can be advanced into the larynx using a natural curving motion similar to the motion used to introduce an endotracheal tube using a convention laryngoscope. In a preferred embodiment, the distal tip of the insertion section and a retained endotracheal tube will be located in the patients median plane during intubation. As the tube guide retains endotracheal tubes substantially in a plane, lateral curvature is avoided, reducing resistance to advancement of the tube.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of insertion sections for laryngoscopes which include lateral tube guides for detachably retaining and guiding endotracheal tubes during intubation.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Laryngoscopes are medical devices which are employed to introduce endotracheal tubes into patient's airways, for example, when a patient is being anaesthetised. Laryngoscopes comprise insertion sections, which are the 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. Lar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a laryngoscope insertion section with a viewing port for collecting images during intubation. The insertion section has a tube guide for retaining an endotracheal tube and guiding it towards the patient's larynx. The viewing port is laterally offset from the tube guide, which is in a plane that is distal to the most distal location where the endotracheal tube contacts the insertion section. This allows for easy manipulation of the endotracheal tube without causing resistance to movement. The tube guide retains the endotracheal tube in a plane that is parallel to the patient's tongue, which simplifies the process of inserting the endotracheal tube. The laryngoscope is preferably a video laryngoscope with a viewing port for easy viewing of the insertion process.

Problems solved by technology

However, they do not guide tubes as such.

A disadvantage of known video laryngoscope insertion sections with lateral tube guides relates to the orientation at which a retained tube extends from the distal end of the insertion section.

However, there are a number of disadvantages associated with this arrangement.

Secondly, the distal tip of the endotracheal tube appears to move both sideways and upwards simultaneously in the field of view of the image collector.

This can make it more difficult for a user to be confident that a retained endotracheal tube is being guided along the correct path to be inserted into the larynx.

Thirdly, in some patient's the larynx will be further anterior of the epiglottis than normal.

As a result, insertion of the endotracheal tube is made more difficult.

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