Attachment assembly and video laryngoscope system

Abstract

To provide a video laryngoscope system as well as an attachment assembly for a video laryngoscope, in which the material of a spatula must fulfil fewer requirements, in particular optical requirements.SOLUTION: An attachment assembly (14) for a camera arm of a video laryngoscope (12) including a spatula (26) and a protective cap. The spatula comprises 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 is open both towards the handle end and towards the patient end. The protective cap is a component part separate from the spatula, is insertable into the channel and includes a partially transparent protective section. The protective cap is designed such that a tip of the camera arm of the video laryngoscope can be engaged in the protective section and to be covered by the protective section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Video laryngoscopes having a camera arm are known. In such video laryngoscopes, a spatula for the laryngoscope is attached to the camera arm in order to protect the camera of the laryngoscope and further the camera arm itself from contamination during laryngoscopy. As a result, the cleaning cost of the camera arm and thus the entire video laryngoscope is reduced. The spatula is replaced each time a patient is examined, sterilized in the case of a reusable spatula, and discarded in the case of a disposable spatula.

[0003] For this reason, disposable spatulas formed as a single part and having a channel into which the camera arm is inserted are known. The channel is closed on the patient side so that the camera and the camera arm are completely enclosed by the spatula. Therefore, the field of view of the camera needs to pass through the spatula to the patient-side end of the channel, and as a result, the material properties of the spatula are exposed to severe material conditions. In particular, the spatula needs to be made of a transparent material. For this reason, the flexibility in the manufacture of disposable spatulas is low, and in particular, recycled materials do not have the required optical properties, so disposable spatulas cannot be manufactured from recycled materials.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a video laryngoscope system in which the material of the spatula requires fewer requirements, particularly optical requirements, and an attachment assembly for a video laryngoscope.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The objective is solved by an attachment assembly for the camera arm of a video laryngoscope, comprising a spatula and a protective cap. The spatula comprises a base body having a handle-side end and a patient-side end opposite the handle-side end, and a channel formed within the base body for receiving the camera arm, the channel opening toward both the handle-side end and the patient-side end. The protective cap is a separate component from the spatula, is insertable into the channel, and has at least a partially transparent protective portion, where the protective cap is designed such that the tip of the camera arm of the video laryngoscope engages with the protective portion and is covered by the protective portion.

[0006] As a separate component, the protective cap can be moved relative to the base body.

[0007] In particular, when the tip of the camera arm is fixed to a predetermined position on the protective part, the camera's field of view moves through the tip of the camera, passes through the protective part, and does not pass through the base body.

[0008] Since the protective cap is separate from the spatula, the spatula does not need to cover the camera arm, especially the camera at the tip of the camera arm, thus reducing the material requirements for the spatula itself, and in particular, it does not need to be transparent.

[0009] Furthermore, it is recognized that the channel should not be completely sealed at the patient-side end in order to adequately protect the camera arm from contamination.

[0010] The base body may be designed by Macintosh, Miller, Dorges, or McCoy. For example, the spatula may fully comprise the base body.

[0011] The protective part may be completely transparent.

[0012] In particular, the protective cap is not part of the camera arm, but rather part of a separate attachment assembly. For example, the protective cap contacts the camera arm only while the camera arm is inserted into the channel or immediately before the camera arm is inserted into the channel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the protective cap in the use state of the attachment assembly is positioned in the region of the patient-side end of the channel, and 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 progresses as intended.

[0014] For example, the protective cap in the initial state of the attachment assembly is positioned within the channel and includes a mounting portion that positions the protective cap in the initial position relative to the base body, particularly a mounting portion that wedge-fastens the protective cap within the channel.

[0015] This arrangement is performed, for example, by the manufacturer and is removable, for example, by the camera arm.

[0016] When the manufacturer positions the protective cap in the starting position, it becomes easier for the user to use. At the same time, it ensures that the protective cap is properly attached to the camera arm when the user inserts the camera arm further into the channel beyond the starting position.

[0017] The starting position may be between the handle-side opening and the patient-side opening of the channel, and / or may be different from the position of the protective cap in use.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion comprises at least two, particularly four, wings extending from opposing sides of the protective portion, the at least two of which rest on the corresponding channel walls of the channel, and / or the wings extend further outward from the protective portion. The wings allow the protective cap to be easily positioned within the channel.

[0019] Since the wing is particularly elastic, prestress can be applied against the channel wall at the starting position.

[0020] "Outward with respect to the center line of the receiving means or the channel" can be understood as radially outward.

[0021] In order to accurately determine the position of the protective cap and, consequently, the field of view of the camera, at least a stopper may be provided in the channel at the patient-side end, and the protective cap, particularly the protective part, is placed on the stopper in the use state.

[0022] In one embodiment, the protective portion comprises a transparent front glass panel and at least two, particularly four, sides, the sides extending from the front glass to form receiving means for the tip of the camera arm, the sides extending in parallel and / or the front glass positioned obliquely to the sides. This receiving means ensures that the tip of the camera arm is securely positioned.

[0023] The aforementioned front glass can completely seal the patient's receiving means.

[0024] For example, the wing extends from the side, particularly along the edge of the side facing away from the front glass.

[0025] To manufacture the spatula in a simple and / or environmentally friendly manner, the spatula may be made of an opaque material and / or at least primarily, particularly a fully recycled material.

[0026] In one embodiment, the patient-side opening of the channel is disposed between the handle-side end and the patient-side end of the base body, particularly in the middle one-third between the handle-side end and the patient-side end, and the spatula can be designed to be thin at the patient-side end to reduce the risk of damage.

[0027] The base body has, for example, a protrusion between the patient-side end and the channel end.

[0028] To reliably protect the camera arm, the channel can be closed along its outer edge, particularly along the entire length of the channel.

[0029] The size of the cross-section of the channel can decrease from the handle-side opening of the channel towards the patient-side opening of the channel, particularly the height of the cross-section can decrease, thereby enabling the camera arm to be easily inserted into the channel.

[0030] In one embodiment, the base body has a width transverse to the insertion direction, where the channel extends only over a part of the width, particularly exactly half or less than half of the width. In this way, conventional visual inspection can be easily performed (i.e., without the support of a camera).

[0031] The base body and / or the protective cap can be designed as a single part for cost-effective manufacturing.

[0032] For example, the base body and / or the protective cap are each injection-molded parts.

[0033] Furthermore, this object is solved by a video laryngoscope system comprising a video laryngoscope including a camera arm and an attachment assembly for the camera arm as described above.

[0034] The features and advantages described for the attachment assembly also apply to the video laryngoscope system, and vice versa.

[0035] For example, the camera arm has a tip portion equipped with a camera, and in use, the tip portion is fixed in a predetermined position in a protective cap, particularly in a receiving means for 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.

[0036] In particular, the camera's field of view passes through the front glass and extends towards the patient-side end of the base body.

[0037] The camera arm, for example, holds both the spatula and the protective cap inside the spatula.

[0038] In one embodiment, the video laryngoscope system is designed such that when the camera arm is inserted into the channel of the spatula, the camera arm pushes the protective cap from the starting position and into the patient-side opening of the channel until it is ready for use, thereby making the spatula very easy to use.

[0039] In one embodiment, the video laryngoscope system comprises a protective cap dispenser separate from the camera arm and the spatula, the dispenser comprising a housing having a dispenser opening, and the protective cap being provided within the housing in the area of ​​the dispenser opening. Thus, the protective cap may be provided separately from the spatula.

[0040] Additional advantages and features of the present invention can be found in the following description and in the attached drawings referenced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0041] [Figure 1] A video laryngoscope system according to the present invention, equipped with the attachment assembly according to the present invention, is shown in an oblique view. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the spatula of the attachment assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a front view of the spatula of the attachment assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the spatula of the attachment assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the protective cap of the attachment assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 1 shows a front view of the protective cap of the attachment assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the protective cap of the attachment assembly according to the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the attachment assembly according to the present invention in its initial state. [Figure 9] Figure 8 shows the attachment assembly with the video laryngoscope camera arm inserted in the starting position. [Figure 10] Figure 8 shows the attachment assembly with the video laryngoscope camera arm inserted in the operational position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0042] Figure 1 shows a video laryngoscope system 10 comprising 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, and a camera 22 is positioned at the tip of the camera arm 20 which is facing away from the handle 18.

[0044] Furthermore, a screen 24 for playing back images captured by the camera 22 may be provided on the handle 18.

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

[0046] The optional dispenser 16 is a dispenser for the protective cap 28 and has a housing 30 provided with a dispenser opening 32.

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

[0048] The spatula 26 has a base body 34, and in particular, it includes the base body 34. For example, the spatula 26 is a disposable product, i.e., a disposable spatula.

[0049] The base body 34 is formed as a single part, for example, as an injection-molded product. The material of the base body 34 is opaque and, for example, mainly, especially completely recycled material.

[0050] The base body 34 has a handle-side end G facing the handle 18 of the video laryngoscope 12, and a patient-side end P facing the opposite side of the handle-side end G, i.e., away from the handle 18, and facing the patient or being introduced into the patient.

[0051] Furthermore, the base body 34 has a bottom surface U that is placed on the patient, particularly on the patient's tongue, during the examination. The opposite side of the base body 34 is the top surface O.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the base body 34 is fitted with a Macintosh design, that is, the bottom side U of the base body 34 is curved. The base body 34 may also be fitted with other designs, such as Macintosh, Miller, Dorges, or McCoy designs.

[0053] The insertion direction R extends from the handle-side end G toward the patient-side end P, and the spatula 26 is horizontal to the insertion direction R and has a lateral width B (Figure 3).

[0054] The base body 34 is provided with a channel 36 for the camera arm 20. The channel 36 extends from the handle-side end G on the upper surface O of the spatula 26 toward the patient-side end P.

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

[0056] In the lateral direction, the channel 36 extends over less than half the width B of the base body 34, particularly asymmetrically and / or starting from the side.

[0057] The channel 36 is restricted along its outer edge by a channel wall, which is part of the base body 34. For example, the channel 36 is completely closed along its outer edge. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 36 is completely closed along its entire length in the insertion direction R along its outer edge.

[0058] The channel 36 comprises a first opening at the end facing the patient end P, called the handle-side opening 40, and a second opening toward 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 the channel 36.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the patient-side opening 42 is smaller than the handle-side opening 40. Therefore, the cross-section of the channel 36 decreases in size, particularly continuously, from the handle-side opening 40 toward the patient-side opening 42.

[0060] In order to change the cross-section, the lateral expansion of the channel 36 remains unchanged, while only the height of the cross-section of the channel 36 can be reduced, that is, it expands perpendicular to the lateral direction and perpendicular to the insertion direction R.

[0061] The channel 36 is not sealed, for example, by a disk, particularly through the patient-side opening 42, as is common in the prior art.

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

[0063] In Figures 5, 6, and 7, the protective cap 28 is shown in a perspective view, a front view (with the patient-side end facing upwards), and a cross-sectional view.

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

[0065] The protective cap 28 has a protective portion 44 and a mounting portion 46, and in the illustrated embodiment, the mounting portion 46 is adjacent to the protective portion 44 on the handle side.

[0066] The protective portion 44 includes a transparent front glass 48 having a shape that is particularly complementary to the patient-side opening 42 of the channel 36.

[0067] In particular, the four parallel sides 50 protrude from the front glass 48 toward the handle side end.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the side panel 50 and the front glass panel 48 are not at a right angle to each other, such that the front glass panel 48 is positioned diagonally to the side panel 50. It is also conceivable that the front glass panel 48 is perpendicular to the side panel 50.

[0069] The side surface 50, together with the front glass 48, forms a receiving means 52 for the tip of the camera arm 20. The receiving means 52 is completely sealed on the patient side, particularly by the front glass 48.

[0070] The mounting portion 46 is adjacent to the side surface 50 on the handle side.

[0071] The mounting portion 46 includes at least mounting means 54, which allows the protective cap 28 to be positioned within the channel 36.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting means 54 consists of four wings 56, each wing 56 extending simultaneously outward from one of the sides 50 to the handle side end G.

[0073] Alternatively or additionally, breakaway webs, thin plastic skins, adhesives, particularly adhesive drops, and / or films may be used as the mounting means 54.

[0074] The wing 56 extends, in particular, further outward with respect to the center line of the receiving means 52 and further outward than the protective portion 44.

[0075] The aforementioned wing 56 is designed to be elastic, allowing it to move inward.

[0076] In Figure 8, the attachment assembly 14 is shown in the starting position. In this starting position, the protective cap 28 is inserted into the channel 36. The protective cap 28 is in the starting position between the handle-side opening 40 and the patient-side opening 42. In particular, no portion of the protective cap 28 extends through the patient-side opening 42 in the starting position.

[0077] The protective cap 28 is positioned at the starting position by the mounting means 54 (the wing 56 in the illustrated embodiment).

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, this condition occurs when the wing 56 is placed on the channel wall of the channel 36 and prestress is applied against the channel wall due to the elasticity of the wing. Therefore, the protective cap 28 is wedge-fastened in its starting position to prevent it from falling off.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, a separating web, a thin plastic skin, an adhesive, particularly an adhesive drop, and / or a film may hold the protective cap 28 in the starting position.

[0080] In its initial position, the protective cap 28 is detachable in any case; that is, it can be moved by normal conscious use.

[0081] For example, the protective cap 28 and the spatula 26 are manufactured separately, and the protective cap 28 is placed by the manufacturer in the channel 36 of the spatula 26 at the starting position. Thus, the starting state corresponds to the state at the time of sale.

[0082] To use the video laryngoscope system 10, the user attaches the attachment assembly 14 in its initial state to the video laryngoscope 12. More specifically, the user inserts the camera arm 20 into the channel 36 of the spatula 26.

[0083] Next, as shown in Figure 9, the tip of the camera arm 20 aligns with the protective cap 28 at its starting position. At this time, the tip of the camera arm 20 is fixed in a predetermined position in the receiving means 52, and the camera arm 20 is guided into the receiving means 52 through the wing 56.

[0084] Next, the user inserts the camera arm 20 further into the channel 36, thereby releasing the protective cap 28 and moving the protective cap 28 from its starting position relative to the base body 34 toward the patient-side opening 42 of the channel 36.

[0085] In other words, the camera arm 20 pushes the protective cap 28 from its starting position toward the patient-side opening 42.

[0086] Figure 10 shows the camera arm 20 in its fully inserted state in the channel 36, i.e., the length required for proper use.

[0087] In this state of use, the protective cap 28 is positioned 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.

[0088] The camera arm 20 holds both the spatula 26 and the protective cap 28.

[0089] It is clear that the front glass 48 protrudes through the patient-side opening 42. For the purpose of establishing a usable state, one or more stoppers 58 may be provided in the area of ​​the patient-side end of the channel 36, and the stoppers 58 extend into the channel 36 on which the protective cap 28 is placed (for example, on the side surface 50 of the protective cap 28).

[0090] In use, the camera 22 is thus received within the receiving means 52 of the protective cap 28, thereby protecting it from contamination. The remaining camera arm 20 is protected from contamination by the base body 34.

[0091] The field of view of the camera 22, in the operating state, passes through the front glass 48 in the direction of the patient-side end P.

[0092] This ensures the necessary protection of the camera 22 without compromising recording quality. At the same time, the material of the spatula 26 can be selected independently of the material of the protective cap 28, thereby reducing the requirements for the material properties of the spatula. As a result, opaque and recycled materials can be used for the spatula 26, which contributes to environmental protection.

[0093] After inspection, the camera arm 20 is removed from the spatula 26, more specifically from the channel 36. At this time, the protective cap 28 may remain in the channel 36 or be pulled out together with the camera arm 20. In the former case, the spatula 26 is made easier to use, and in the latter case, the spatula 26 and the protective cap 28 can be disposed of separately from each other, thus enabling better recycling.

[0094] In an alternative embodiment, instead of the protective cap 28 being positioned in the initial state within the channel 36, the channel 36 may initially be empty and the protective cap 28 provided in the optional dispenser 16.

[0095] Before use, the dispenser 16 applies the protective cap 28 to the tip of the camera arm 20, and the camera arm 20, together with the protective cap 28, is inserted into the channel 36 until it is ready for use.

[0096] For this purpose, multiple protective caps 28 are arranged inside the housing 30 of the dispenser 16, and the protective caps 28 are positioned behind the dispenser opening 32 so that, for example, the camera arm 20 can be inserted through the dispenser opening 32 and the protective caps 28 can be attached to the tip of the camera arm 20.

[0097] Alternatively, at least one protective cap 28 may protrude through the dispenser opening 32 so that the camera arm 20 can be secured inside.

Claims

1. A camera attachment assembly (20) for a video laryngoscope (12) having a spatula (26) and a protective cap (28), wherein the spatula (26) comprises a base body (34) having a handle-side end (G) and a patient-side end (P) opposite the handle-side end, and a channel (36) formed within the base body (34) for receiving the camera arm (20), the channel (36) opening towards both the handle-side end (G) and the patient-side end (P), the protective cap (28) being a separate component from the spatula (26), insertable into the channel (36) and having a protective part (44) that is at least partially transparent, wherein the protective cap (28) is designed such that the tip of the camera arm (20) of the video laryngoscope (12) engages at the protective part (44) and is covered by the protective part (44).

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

3. The protective cap (28) in the starting state of the attachment assembly (14) is arranged within the channel (36), and there is provided an attachment part (46) for placing the protective cap (28) in a starting position with respect to the base body (34), in particular for wedging the protective cap (28) within the channel (36), characterized in that, the attachment assembly according to claim 1.

4. The attachment part (46) comprises at least two, in particular four, wings (56) extending from opposite side surfaces of the protective part (44), wherein the at least two wings (56) are placed on corresponding channel walls of the channel (36) and / or the wings (56) extend further outward than the protective part (44), characterized in that, the attachment assembly according to claim 3.

5. At least a stop part (58) is provided in the channel (36) at the patient-side end ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ and, on the stop portion (58), the protection cap (28), in particular the protection portion (44), The attachment assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it is placed in a use state.

6. The protection portion (44) includes a transparent front glass (48) and at least two, in particular four, side surfaces (50), and the side surfaces (50) extend from the front glass (48) to form receiving means (52) for the tip of the camera arm (20). In particular, the side surfaces (50) extend in parallel and / or the front glass (48) is arranged obliquely with respect to the side surfaces (50). The attachment assembly according to claim 1.

7. The spatula (26) is made of an opaque material and / or at least mainly, in particular completely, recycled material. The attachment assembly according to claim 1.

8. The patient-side opening (42) of the channel (36) is located between the handle-side end (G) and the patient-side end (P) of the base body (34), in particular in the middle one-third between the handle-side end (G) and the patient end (P). The attachment assembly according to claim 1.

9. The channel (36) is closed along its outer edge, in particular along the entire length of the channel (36), and / or the size of the cross-section of the channel (36) decreases from the handle-end opening (40) of the channel (36) towards the patient-side opening (42), in particular the height of the cross-section decreases. The attachment assembly according to claim 1.

10. The base body (34) has a width (B) transverse to the insertion direction (R), and the channel (36) extends only over a part of the width (B), in particular exactly half or less than half of the width (B). The attachment assembly according to claim 1.

11. The base body (34) is formed as a single part and / or the protection cap (28) is formed as a single part. The attachment assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A camera arm (20) and the camera arm (20) according to any one of the preceding claims. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ A video laryngoscope system comprising a video laryngoscope (12) and an attachment assembly (14). Laryngoscope system. **Claim 13** The camera arm (20) has a distal end provided with a camera (22), and in the use state, the distal end is fixed at a predetermined position in the protection cap (28), particularly in the receiving means (52) of the protection cap (28), and the camera arm (20) extends through the channel (36). The video laryngoscope system according to claim 12, characterized in that. In the protection cap (28), particularly in the receiving means (52) of the protection cap (28), the distal end is fixed at a predetermined position. The camera arm (20) extends through the channel (36). The video laryngoscope system according to claim 12, characterized in that. System. **Claim 14** When inserting the camera arm (20) into the channel (36) of the spatula (26) of the video laryngoscope system (10), the camera arm (20) is designed to push the protection cap (28) from the starting position and push it into the patient-side opening (42) of the channel (36) until it reaches the use state. The video laryngoscope system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that. When inserting the camera arm (20) into the channel (36) of the spatula (26), the camera arm (20) starts from the starting position. Push the protection cap (28) and push it into the patient-side opening (42) of the channel (36) until it reaches the use state. The video laryngoscope system according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that. System. **Claim 15** The video laryngoscope system (10) comprises a dispenser (16) for the protection cap, which is separate from the camera arm (20) and the spatula (26). The dispenser (16) comprises a housing (30) having a dispenser opening (32). A dispenser (16) for the protection cap, which is separate from the camera arm (20) and the spatula (26). The dispenser (16) comprises a housing (30) having a dispenser opening (32). The protection cap (28) is provided in the housing (30) in the region of the dispenser opening (32). The video laryngoscope system according to claim 13, characterized in that. The protection cap (28) is provided in the housing (30) in the region of the dispenser opening (32). The video laryngoscope system according to claim 13, characterized in that. System.

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