ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY AND VIDEO LARYNGOSCOPE SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an attachment assembly for a camera arm of a video laryngoscope and to a video laryngoscope system comprising a video laryngoscope with a camera arm.

[0002] Video laryngoscopes with a camera arm are well-known. With these types of video laryngoscopes, laryngoscope blades are attached to the camera arm to protect the camera and the arm itself from contamination during the procedure. This reduces the cleaning effort required for the camera arm and, consequently, the entire video laryngoscope. The blades are replaced after each patient examination and, in the case of reusable blades, sterilized; in the case of disposable blades, they are discarded.

[0003] Disposable spatulas are known that are made in one piece and have a channel into which the camera arm is inserted. The channel is closed on the patient side, so that the camera and camera arm are completely encapsulated by the spatula on that side. The camera's field of view must therefore pass through the spatula at the patient-side end of the channel, which places strict demands on the spatula's material properties. In particular, the spatula must be made of transparent material. This leads to reduced flexibility in the manufacture of disposable spatulas, and in particular, disposable spatulas cannot be made from recycled material, as recycled material does not possess the necessary optical properties.

[0004] For example, WO 2016 / 074894 A1 discloses a video laryngoscope with a blade whose curvature is adjustable. The blade has a cavity through which a guide tube extends, sealing the cavity at the front. A camera arm runs inside the guide tube and is protected from bodily fluids by the tube.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a video laryngoscope system and an attachment assembly for a video laryngoscope in which the material of the spatula has to meet lower requirements, in particular optical requirements.

[0006] The problem is solved by an attachment assembly for the camera arm of a video laryngoscope, comprising a blade and a protective cap. The blade has a base body with a handle end and a patient end opposite the handle end, as well as a channel formed in the base body for receiving the camera arm, the channel being open at both the handle end and the patient end. The protective cap is a separate component from the blade, can be inserted into the channel, and has a protective section that is at least partially transparent. The protective cap is designed so that a tip of the video laryngoscope's camera arm can engage in the protective section and be covered by it. In the initial state of the attachment assembly, the protective cap is positioned within the channel and has a fastening section that positions the protective cap relative to the base body in a fixed position.

[0007] As a separate component, the protective cap can be moved, especially relative to the base body.

[0008] In particular, when the tip of the camera arm engages the protective section, the camera's field of view passes through the protective section and not through the base body.

[0009] The protective cap, separate from the spatula, ensures that the spatula no longer needs to cover the camera arm and, in particular, the camera at the tip of the camera arm, allowing the spatula itself to meet lower material requirements; in particular, the spatula no longer needs to be transparent.

[0010] Furthermore, it was recognized that the channel at the patient-side end does not need to be completely sealed in order to adequately protect the camera arm from contamination.

[0011] The base body can have a Macintosh, Miller, Dörges, or McCoy shape. For example, the spatula consists entirely of the base body.

[0012] The protective section can also be completely transparent.

[0013] In particular, the protective cap is not part of the camera arm itself, but rather part of the separate mounting assembly. The protective cap only comes into contact with the camera arm, for example, when or shortly before the camera arm is inserted into the channel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the protective cap is arranged in the area of ​​the patient-side end of the channel when the attachment assembly is in use; in particular, the protective cap extends at least partially through the patient-side opening of the channel. This ensures that the protective cap protects the camera arm and that the camera's field of view remains as intended.

[0015] For example, the fastening section clamps the protective cap against the base body in a starting position in the channel.

[0016] The positioning is, for example, factory-set and can be changed, for example by the camera arm.

[0017] The factory-pre-positioned protective cap simplifies use for the user. At the same time, it ensures that the protective cap is correctly seated on the camera arm, as the user will insert the camera arm further into the channel than its initial position.

[0018] The starting position can be located between the handle-side opening and the patient-side opening of the channel and / or differ from the position of the protective cap in the state of use.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening section has at least two, and in particular four, wings extending from opposite sides of the protective section, wherein the at least two wings abut corresponding channel walls of the channel and / or wherein the wings extend further outwards than the protective section. The wings facilitate the easy positioning of the protective cap in the channel.

[0020] The wings are particularly elastic, so that they can be pre-tensioned against the canal walls in the starting position.

[0021] "Outside" can be understood as radially outward in relation to a center line of the recording or channel.

[0022] To precisely determine the position of the protective cap and thus the camera's field of view, at least one stop can be provided in the channel at its patient-side end, against which the protective cap, in particular the protective section, rests in the state of use.

[0023] In one embodiment, the protective section has a transparent front panel and at least two, in particular four, walls, wherein the walls extend from the front panel and form a receptacle for the tip of the camera arm, in particular wherein the walls run parallel and / or the front panel is arranged at an angle to the walls. The receptacle reliably positions the tip of the camera arm.

[0024] The front panel can completely close off the patient-side opening.

[0025] For example, the wings extend from the walls, especially on the side of the walls facing away from the windshield.

[0026] To make the spatula easy and / or environmentally friendly to manufacture, the spatula can be made of an opaque material and / or of a material that is at least predominantly, and in particular completely, recycled.

[0027] In one embodiment, the patient-side opening of the channel is arranged between the handle end and the patient end of the base body, particularly in the middle third between the handle end and the patient end, whereby the spatula is made thin at the patient end to reduce the risk of injury.

[0028] The base body, for example, has a projection between the patient end and the end of the canal.

[0029] To reliably protect the camera arm, the channel can be closed along its circumference, especially over the entire length of the channel.

[0030] The cross-section of the canal can decrease from the handle-side opening of the canal to the patient-side opening of the canal, in particular the height of the cross-section can decrease, which simplifies the insertion of the camera arm into the canal.

[0031] In one embodiment, the base body has a width in the transverse direction to the insertion direction, with the channel extending only over a portion of this width, in particular equal to or less than half the width. This allows for a classic visual inspection, i.e., without camera support.

[0032] For cost-effective manufacturing, the base body and / or the protective cap can be made in one piece.

[0033] For example, the main body and / or the protective cap are each an injection-molded part.

[0034] Furthermore, the problem is solved by a video laryngoscope system comprising a video laryngoscope having a camera arm and a previously described attachment assembly for the camera arm.

[0035] The features and advantages described for the attachment assembly apply equally to the video laryngoscope system and vice versa.

[0036] For example, the camera arm has a tip with a camera, whereby, in the operating state, the tip engages in the protective cap, in particular the receptacle of the protective cap, and the camera arm extends through the channel. In this way, both the camera and the camera arm are adequately protected from contamination.

[0037] In particular, the camera's field of view extends through the front window towards the patient-side end of the base body.

[0038] The camera arm, for example, holds both the spatula and the protective cap inside the spatula.

[0039] In one embodiment, the video laryngoscope system is designed such that the camera arm carries the protective cap from its starting position when the camera arm is inserted into the channel of the spatula and pushes it towards the patient-side opening of the channel until the operating state is reached, making the use of the spatula extremely easy.

[0040] In one embodiment, the video laryngoscope system has a dispenser for the protective cap that is separate from the camera arm and the blade. The dispenser has a housing with a dispensing opening, and the protective cap is provided within the housing in the area of ​​the dispensing opening. In this way, the protective caps can be provided separately from the blade.

[0041] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. The drawings show: Fig. 1: a video laryngoscope system according to the invention with an attachment assembly according to the invention in perspective view, Figs. 2, 3, 4: a blade of the attachment assembly according to the invention. Figure 1 in a perspective view, a front view or a sectional view, Figs. 5, 6, 7: a protective cap of the attachment assembly according to the invention. Figure 1 in a perspective view, a front view or in a sectional view, Fig. 8: the attachment assembly according to the invention Figure 1 in cross-section in the initial state, and Figs. 9, 10: the attachment assembly according to Figure 8 , into which the camera arm of the video laryngoscope is inserted, in the initial state or in the state of use.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a video laryngoscope system 10 with a video laryngoscope 12, an attachment assembly 14 and an optional dispenser 16.

[0043] The video laryngoscope 12 has a handle 18 and a camera arm 20 extending from it, at the tip of which, facing away from the handle 18, a camera 22 is arranged.

[0044] In addition, a screen 24 can be provided on the handle 18, which displays the image taken with the camera 22.

[0045] The attachment assembly 14 includes a spatula 26 and a protective cap 28 ( Fig. 5 ) for the camera 22, with the protective cap 28 attached to the camera arm 20.

[0046] The optional dispenser 16 is a dispenser for protective caps 28 and has a housing 30 in which a dispensing opening 32 is formed.

[0047] In the Figures 2, 3, 4 The spatula 26 of the attachment assembly 14 is shown in a perspective view, in a front view of the patient-side end P of the spatula 26 or in a section view.

[0048] The spatula 26 has a base body 34, in particular it consists of the base body 34. For example, the spatula 26 is a disposable product, i.e. a single-use spatula.

[0049] The base body 34 is manufactured in one piece, for example as an injection-molded part. The material of the base body 34 is opaque and, for example, predominantly, or in particular completely, recycled.

[0050] The basic body 34 has a handle end G that faces the handle 18 of the videolaryngoscope 12, and a patient end that is opposite to the handle end G, i.e. away from handle 18, and faces the patient or is inserted into the patient.

[0051] Furthermore, the base body 34 has a bottom surface U, which rests against the patient, particularly their tongue, during the examination. The opposite side of the base body 34 represents the top surface O.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the base body 34 has a Macintosh shape, meaning that the bottom surface U of the base body 34 has a curvature. The base body 34 can, of course, also have a different shape, such as a Miller shape, Dörges shape, or McCoy shape.

[0053] The insertion direction R extends from the handle end G to the patient end P. In the horizontal transverse direction to the insertion direction R, the spatula 26 has a width B ( Figure 3 ).

[0054] The base body 34 has a channel 36 for the camera arm 20. The channel 36 extends from the handle end G on the upper surface O of the spatula 26 to the patient end P.

[0055] For example, the canal 36 ends in the middle third between the handle end G and the patient end P. The remaining part of the base body 34 between the end of the canal 36 and the patient end P is thus a projection 38 or a tongue.

[0056] In the transverse direction, it extends over half the width B or less of the base body 34, in particular asymmetrically and / or starting from one side.

[0057] The channel 36 is bounded along its circumference by channel walls that are part of the base body 34. For example, the channel 36 is completely closed along its circumference. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 36 is completely closed along its entire length in the insertion direction R along its circumference.

[0058] Canal 36 has a first opening at its end facing the patient end P, called the handle-side opening 40, and a second opening towards the patient end P, called the patient-side opening 42. The handle-side opening 40 and the patient-side opening 42 are, in particular, the only openings of canal 36.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the patient-side opening 42 is smaller than the handle-side opening 40. The cross-section of the channel 36 thus decreases from the handle-side opening 40 to the patient-side opening 42, in particular continuously.

[0060] To change the cross-section, the extent of the channel 36 in the transverse direction can remain the same, and only the height of the cross-section of the channel 36, i.e. the extent perpendicular to the transverse direction and perpendicular to the insertion direction R, can be reduced.

[0061] The patient-side opening 42 does not close the channel 36, as is usual in the prior art, for example by means of a disc.

[0062] However, the cross-section of the channel 36 is chosen such that the camera arm 20 can be inserted into the channel 36 up to the patient-side opening 42.

[0063] In the Figures 5, 6 and 7The protective cap 28 is shown in a perspective view, in a front view, i.e., at the patient-side end, and in a sectional view.

[0064] The protective cap 28 is a separate component from the spatula 26 and can also be manufactured as a single piece or as an injection-molded part. The material of the protective cap 28 is transparent, in particular a transparent plastic.

[0065] The protective cap 28 has a protective section 44 and a fastening section 46, wherein in the illustrated embodiment the fastening section 46 connects to the protective section 44 on the handle side.

[0066] The protective section 44 has a transparent front panel 48, which in particular has a shape complementary to the patient-side opening 42 of the channel 36.

[0067] Four walls 50 extend from the front window 48 towards the end of the handle, and these walls are parallel to each other.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, however, the walls 50 and the windshield 48 do not form a right angle, so the windshield 48 is arranged at an angle to the walls 50. It is also conceivable that the windshield 48 is perpendicular to the walls 50.

[0069] The walls 50 together with the front glass 48 form a receptacle 52 for the tip of the camera arm 20. The receptacle 52 is completely closed off on the patient side, in particular by the front glass 48.

[0070] The fastening section 46 connects to the walls 50 on the handle side.

[0071] The fastening section 46 has at least one fastening means 54 by means of which the protective cap 28 can be positioned in the channel 36.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening means 54 are four wings 56, each wing 56 extending from one of the walls 50 to the handle end G and simultaneously outwards.

[0073] Alternatively or additionally, the following can be used as fastening materials: 54 breakable tabs, a thin plastic skin, adhesive, in particular a drop of adhesive, and / or a film.

[0074] The wings 56 extend particularly further outwards in relation to a center line of the recording 52 and / or further outwards than the protection section 44.

[0075] The wings 56 are designed to be elastic, so that they can be moved inwards.

[0076] In Figure 8 The attachment assembly 14 is shown in its initial state. In this initial state, the protective cap 28 is inserted in the channel 36.

[0077] The protective cap 28 is in a starting position located between the handle-side opening 40 and the patient-side opening 42. In particular, in the starting position, no part of the protective cap 28 extends through the patient-side opening 42.

[0078] The protective cap 28 is positioned in the starting position by the fastening means 54, in the illustrated embodiment the wings 56.

[0079] In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved by the fact that the wings 56 bear against the channel walls of the channel 36 and are pre-tensioned against the channel walls due to their elasticity. Thus, the protective cap 28 is wedged in its initial position and secured against falling out.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, breakable tabs, a thin plastic skin, adhesive, in particular a drop of adhesive, and / or a film can hold the protective cap 28 in the starting position.

[0081] The positioning in the starting position is resolvable in any case, i.e., the protective cap 28 can be moved by normal, conscious use.

[0082] For example, the protective cap 28 and the spatula 26 are manufactured separately, and the protective cap 28 is then positioned in the initial position in the channel 36 of the spatula 26 at the factory. The initial state thus also corresponds to the state as sold.

[0083] To use the video laryngoscope system 10, the user connects an attachment assembly 14 to the video laryngoscope 12 in its initial state. More precisely, he inserts the camera arm 20 into the channel 36 of the blade 26.

[0084] The tip of the camera arm 20 then meets, as in Figure 9 The image shows the protective cap 28 in its starting position. The tip of the camera arm 20 engages in the receptacle 52, with the camera arm 20 being guided into the receptacle 52 by the wings 56.

[0085] The user then inserts the camera arm 20 further into the channel 36, thereby releasing the positioning of the protective cap 28 and moving the protective cap 28 from its initial position relative to the base body 34 in the direction of the patient-side opening 42 of the channel 36.

[0086] In other words, the camera arm 20 takes the protective cap 28 from its starting position towards the patient-side opening 42.

[0087] In Figure 10 The operating state is shown in which the camera arm 20 has been fully inserted into channel 36, i.e., to the length necessary for proper use.

[0088] In this state of use, the protective cap 28 is arranged in the area of ​​the patient-side end of the channel 36 and, in the illustrated embodiment, extends at least partially through the patient-side opening 42.

[0089] The camera arm 20 holds both the spatula 26 and the protective cap 28.

[0090] It is clearly visible that the front panel 48 protrudes through the patient-side opening 42. To determine the operating state, one or more stops 58 can be provided in the area of ​​the patient-side end of the channel 36, extending into the channel 36 and against which the protective cap 28 rests, for example, the walls 50 of the protective cap 28.

[0091] In its operating state, the camera 22 is thus held in the recess 52 of the protective cap 28 and is protected from contamination by it. The remaining camera arm 20 is protected from contamination by the base body 34.

[0092] In its operating state, the field of view of the camera 22 extends through the front window 48 towards the patient end P.

[0093] In this way, the necessary protection of the camera 22 is ensured without compromising the recording quality. At the same time, the material of the spatula 26 can be selected independently of the material of the protective cap 28, thus reducing the requirements for the spatula's material properties. This also allows for the use of opaque and recycled materials for the spatula 26, thereby contributing to environmental protection.

[0094] After the examination, the camera arm 20 is removed from the spatula 26, more precisely from the channel 36. The protective cap 28 can either remain in the channel 36 or be pulled out together with the camera arm 20. In the former case, the spatula 26 is easier to use; in the latter case, the spatula 26 and the protective cap 28 can be disposed of separately, thus facilitating improved recycling.

[0095] Instead of positioning the protective cap 28 in an initial state in the channel 36, in an alternative embodiment it is conceivable that the channel 36 is initially empty and the protective caps 28 are provided in the optional dispenser 16.

[0096] Before use, a protective cap 28 is applied to the tip of the camera arm 20 using the dispenser 16, and the camera arm 20 together with the protective cap 28 is inserted into the channel 36 until the operating state is reached.

[0097] For this purpose, the housing 30 of the dispenser 16 contains a large number of protective caps 28, which are arranged behind the dispensing opening 32 in such a way that, for example, when the camera arm 20 is inserted through the dispensing opening 32, a protective cap 28 is attached to the tip of the camera arm 20.

[0098] Alternatively, at least one protective cap 28 can protrude through the dispensing opening 32 so that the camera arm 20 can engage with it.

Claims

1. Attachment assembly for a camera arm (20) of a video laryngoscope (12) having a spatula (26) and a protective cap (28), wherein the spatula (26) has a base body (34) having a handle end (G) and a patient end (P) opposite the handle end (G) as well as a channel (36) made in the base body (34) for receiving the camera arm (20), wherein the channel (36) is open both towards the handle end (G) as well as towards the patient end (P), wherein the protective cap (28) is a component separate from the spatula (26), can be inserted into the channel (36) and has an at least partially transparent protective section (44), wherein the protective cap (28) is designed so that a tip of the camera arm (20) of the video laryngoscope (12) can engage into the protective section (44) and is covered by the protective section (44), characterised in that the protective cap (28) is arranged inside the channel (36) in the initial state of the attachment assembly (14) and has a fastening section (46), which positions the protective cap (28) in relation to the base body (34) in an initial position.

2. Attachment assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the protective cap (28) is arranged in the region of the patient-side end of the channel (36) in the use state of the attachment assembly (14), in particular it extends at least partially through the patient-side opening (42) of the channel (36).

3. Attachment assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fastening section (46) wedges the protective cap (28) into the channel (36) in relation to the base body (34) in an initial position.

4. Attachment assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fastening section (46) has at least two, in particular four wings (56), which extend out from opposing sides of the protective section (44), wherein the at least two wings (56) rest against corresponding channel walls of the channel (36) and / or wherein the wings (56) extend further outwards than the protective section (44).

5. Attachment assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one abutment (58) against which the protective cap (28), in particular the protective section (44), rests in the use state is provided in the channel (36) on its patient-side end.

6. Attachment assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the protective section (44) has a transparent front pane (48) and at least two, in particular four walls (50), wherein the walls (50) extend out from the front pane (48) and form a receptacle (52) for the tip of the camera arm (20), in particular wherein the walls (50) run parallel and / or the front pane (48) is arranged diagonal to the walls (50).

7. Attachment assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spatula (26) is made from a non-transparent material and / or from an at least predominantly, in particular completely recycled material.

8. Attachment assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the patient-side opening (42) of the channel (36) is arranged between the handle end (G) and the patient end (P) of the base body (34), in particular in the centre third between the handle end (G) and the patient end (P).

9. Attachment assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the channel (36) is closed along its circumference, in particular over the entire length of the channel (36), and / or in that the cross-section of the channel (36) reduces in size from the handle-side opening (40) towards the patient-side opening (42) of the channel (36), in particular the height of the cross-section reduces in size.

10. Attachment assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base body (34) has a width (B) in the transverse direction to the insertion direction (R), wherein the channel (36) only extends over a part of the width (B), in particular equal to or less than half of the width (B).

11. Attachment assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base body (34) is designed in one piece and / or in that the protective cap (28) is designed in one piece.

12. Video laryngoscope system having a video laryngoscope (12), which has a camera arm (20), and an attachment assembly (14) for the camera arm according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Video laryngoscope system according to claim 12, characterised in that the camera arm (20) has a tip with a camera (22), wherein in the use state the tip engages into the protective cap (28), in particular the receptacle (52) of the protective cap (28), and the camera arm (20) extends through the channel (36).

14. Video laryngoscope system according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the video laryngoscope system (10) is designed in such a way that, when the camera arm (20) is inserted into the channel (36) of the spatula (26), the camera arm (20) takes the protective cap (28) along with it from the initial position and slides it to the patient-side opening (42) of the channel (36) until the use state is reached.

15. Video laryngoscope system according to claim 13, characterised in that the video laryngoscope system (10) has a dispenser (16), separate from the camera arm (20) and from the spatula (26), for the protective cap (28), which dispenser has a housing (30) with a dispenser opening (32), wherein the protective cap (28) is provided in the region of the dispenser opening (32) inside the housing (30).