A laryngoscope with a means of removing substances from its own viewing window.

Abstract

In one embodiment, the laryngoscopy device includes a handle configured for grasping by an operator, a blade extending from the handle configured for insertion into a patient's trachea, a removable viewing window provided on the blade that allows the patient's airway to be viewed, and means for removing material from the viewing window that may obstruct the view of the airway.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the priority of co - pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 142,444, filed on January 27, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0002] Video laryngoscopy is often used during the placement of an emergency breathing tube for life - saving. However, liquids such as airway secretions, gastric juices, blood, and / or solids such as regurgitated food may cover the viewing window of the laryngoscope camera, thus blocking the view of the airway. As a result, there is a possibility that the breathing tube may be incorrectly placed into the esophagus instead of the trachea. Since the patient may not be breathing at that point, the attending specialist is under extreme time pressure to place the laryngoscope and the breathing tube into the patient's airway to restore breathing and prevent aspiration. If the attending specialist cannot achieve this in time, it may result in blood hypoxia, acidosis, and even death.

[0003] Considering these facts, it can be understood that it is desirable to have a video laryngoscopy device that includes means for removing substances that may block the view of the patient's airway during the insertion of the device into the trachea.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0004] As described above, it would be desirable to have a laryngoscopy apparatus that includes means for removing any substances, such as fluids and / or solids, from the patient that may obstruct the view of the patient's airway during insertion of the apparatus into the trachea. Examples of such apparatuses are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the laryngoscopy apparatus is configured as a sleeve having a handle from which an elongated blade extends. The laryngoscopy apparatus is configured to receive a video device, such as a video baton, and the blade is configured to be inserted into the patient's trachea by a specialist for the purpose of intubation (i.e., placing a tracheal tube into the trachea). The apparatus comprises a first channel extending through the handle and blade and terminating at a viewing window. When the camera of the video device is positioned relative to or adjacent to the viewing window, the patient's internal anatomical structures can be viewed via images captured by the camera during insertion of the blade. The apparatus further includes a second channel for facilitating removal from the viewing window of the laryngoscopy apparatus using a jet of fluid, and a third channel which may be used to remove the discharged fluid and any substances removed by the jet.

[0005] The following disclosure describes various specific embodiments. These embodiments are exemplary implementations of the disclosed invention, and it should be understood that alternative embodiments are possible. Such alternative embodiments include hybrid embodiments that incorporate features from different disclosed embodiments. All such embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0006] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a laryngoscopy apparatus 10, including means for removing material from the viewing window of the apparatus. The exemplary apparatus 10 in Figure 1 is configured as a video laryngoscopy sleeve configured to receive a video device such as a video baton. The apparatus 10 generally includes a handle 12 configured to be grasped by an operator and an elongated, curved blade 14 configured for insertion into the trachea through the mouth for the purpose of intubating a patient. In some embodiments, the handle 12 and the blade 14 are integrally formed from an inexpensive material such as a polymer material, so the laryngoscopy apparatus 10 can be manufactured inexpensively and is therefore suitable for single use and disposable. As can be seen from Figure 1, the blade 14 includes a relatively thick proximal portion 16 extending from the handle 12 and a relatively thin distal portion 18 extending from the proximal portion. The distal portion 18 forms the distal tip 20 of the blade 14.

[0007] Extending through the proximal portions 16 of the handle 12 and blade 14 is a first or primary channel 22 configured to receive a video device. In some embodiments, the primary channel 22 is specifically configured to receive a particular model of a video batten (not shown) comprising a body, a camera, and a shaft extending between the body and the camera, through a proximal opening 24 of the channel formed by the handle 12. For example, the body of the batten may be positioned within the proximal portion of the primary channel 22 formed by the handle 12, the shaft extending through the distal portion of the channel, and the camera may be positioned adjacent to the first distal opening 26 of the channel formed by the blade 14. As most clearly shown in Figures 2 to 4, the primary channel 22 may have a substantially rectangular (e.g., square) cross-section in some embodiments.

[0008] Referring to Figures 1 and 3-6, the first distal opening 26 of the primary channel 22 is provided with a removal viewing window 28 from which images and / or video (a video being a series of sequential images) can be captured by a camera of a video device used with the laryngoscope 10. The viewing window 28 covers and seals the first distal opening 26 of the primary channel 22 to prevent at least substances such as liquids and / or solids from entering the primary channel from within the patient. However, as described below, in some embodiments, the viewing window 28 may extend beyond the first distal opening 26 to serve further purposes, such as forming a nozzle from which fluid can be discharged to remove substances from the window. As an example, the viewing window 28 may also be made of a polymer material.

[0009] The video baton is identified as an exemplary video device that is received by the laryngoscope 10 and can be used with the laryngoscope 10, but it should be noted that other video devices can be used with the device. In practice, substantially any video device having a camera that can be fixedly positioned in relation to or adjacent to the viewing window 28 or within the distal portion of the primary channel 22 can be used. Furthermore, it should be noted that the video device does not need to include a camera positioned within the blade 14 or even within the handle 12 of the laryngoscope 10. For example, one or more optical waveguides, such as optical fibers, can be inserted through the primary channel 22 in such a way that their distal ends are in contact with or adjacent to the viewing window 28. In such a case, the one or more optical waveguides can transmit images to a camera positioned either inside or outside the laryngoscope 10.

[0010] Referring again to Figure 1, the laryngoscope apparatus 10 also includes a second or fluid delivery channel 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid delivery channel 30 forms part of the first side of the handle 12 and the blade 14 (specifically, the proximal portion 16 of the blade) and extends along it. The fluid delivery channel 30 originates from a first proximal tube 32 extending from the proximal end of the handle 12 and terminates at a second distal opening 34 positioned laterally adjacent to the first distal opening 26 of the primary channel 22. In the illustrated embodiment, a viewing window 28 that covers and seals the first distal opening 26 of the primary channel 22 also covers and seals the second distal opening 34 of the fluid delivery channel 30. As is most clearly visible in Figure 6, in such a case, the viewing window 28 includes an integrated fluid nozzle 36 formed integrally with the viewing window, which is in fluid communication with the second distal opening 34. The fluid nozzle 36 is configured to discharge a high-speed jet of fluid across the outer surface 37 (see Figure 6) of the viewing window portion that covers the first distal opening 26 of the primary channel 22. The dashed line in Figure 6 illustrates the fluid path through the fluid delivery channel 30 and across the surface 37 of the viewing window 36. The discharged fluid may be a gas, a liquid, or a combination of both. Exemplary gases include air and oxygen. Exemplary liquids include water, saline solution, and solutions containing one or more beneficial components, such as one or more medications. As the fluid jet is discharged across the viewing window 28, any fluids and / or solids from inside the patient are pushed away from its outer surface so as not to obstruct the view of a camera (or optical waveguide) positioned behind the viewing window.

[0011] Referring to Figure 4, a third channel 38 is provided on the opposite side of the fluid delivery channel 30, which can function as a suction channel or a working channel, depending on how it is used. For the remainder of this disclosure, the third channel 38 is referred to as the “auxiliary” channel. In the illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary channel 38 forms part of the second side of the handle 12 and the blade 14 (specifically, the proximal portion 16 of the blade) and extends along it. The auxiliary channel 38 originates from a second proximal tube 40 that extends from the proximal end of the handle 12 and terminates at a third distal opening 42 positioned laterally adjacent to the first distal opening 26 of the primary channel 22. As can be seen in Figure 4, the third distal opening 42 is positioned on the opposite side of the primary channel 22 from the second distal opening 34 of the fluid delivery channel 30.

[0012] In the first use case, the auxiliary channel 38 is used as a suction channel. In such a case, a suction source (not shown) may be connected to a second proximal tube 40 so that material can be removed from an area adjacent to the viewing window 28, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 6. This material may include any fluid discharged from the nozzle 36, as well as patient liquids and / or solids removed from the viewing window 28 by the jet of fluid discharged from the nozzle. Thus, the nozzle 36 and the auxiliary channel 38 can be used together to remove material that might otherwise obstruct the view of the patient's airway. As is most clearly visible in Figures 4–6, the blade 14 may include a lateral flange 44 extending between the distal end of the proximal portion 16 of the blade and the distal portion 18 of the blade adjacent to the third distal opening 42. If provided, the flange 44, which functions as a backstop for discharged fluids and removed material, moves across the viewing window 28 to assist in the removal of fluids and material. It should be further noted that in some embodiments, the auxiliary channel 38 and / or its opening 42 may be optimized and positioned to be configured to remove aerosolized viruses from the patient.

[0013] In a second use case, the auxiliary channel 38 is used as a working channel through which other medical devices can pass. For example, a suction catheter (not shown) may pass through the auxiliary channel 38 and be used to remove discharged fluid and / or patient material in a manner similar to when the auxiliary channel is used as a suction channel. In addition, however, such a suction catheter may be extended beyond the distal end of the blade 14 to remove any material present beyond the third distal opening 42. As another example, a guidewire (not shown) may be passed through the auxiliary channel 38 to facilitate the insertion of another medical device into the patient. In such a case, the laryngoscope 10 also functions as an introducer.

[0014] While the exemplary laryngoscopes disclosed above have been described as being configured as sleeves adapted to receive a separate video device such as a video baton, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the laryngoscope may include its own integrated camera device, in which case the device is actually a video laryngoscope. The term “laryngoscopy device” is used broadly herein and includes both sleeves for use with a separate video device, as well as video laryngoscopes having their own fully integrated camera.

Claims

1. A laryngoscope, A handle configured for gripping by an operator, A blade extending from the handle, configured for insertion into the patient's trachea, A first channel extending through the handle and the blade and terminating at a first distal opening located near the distal end of the blade, wherein the first channel is configured to house a video device or an optical waveguide configured to transmit an image to a video device, A second channel extending along the first channel and terminating at a second distal opening adjacent to the first distal opening, the second channel being configured to receive and deliver fluid, A removable viewing window provided on the blade, covering and sealing the first and second distal openings, through which the patient's airway is visible, the removable viewing window includes an integrated fluid nozzle in fluid communication with the second channel, the fluid nozzle configured to discharge a jet of the fluid across the portion of the removable viewing window that covers the first distal opening, so as to remove from the removable viewing window any material that may obstruct the view of the airway; A laryngoscope examination device equipped with the following features.

2. The laryngoscope examination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade is curved.

3. The laryngoscope examination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade has a relatively thick proximal portion extending from the handle and a relatively thin distal portion extending from the relatively thick proximal portion to form the distal tip of the blade.

4. The laryngoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured as a video laryngoscope sleeve configured to receive a separate video device.

5. The laryngoscope according to claim 4, wherein the device is designed for single use.

6. The laryngoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the video laryngoscope sleeve is specifically configured to receive a separate video baton.

7. The laryngoscope examination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a video laryngoscope having an integrated camera.

8. The laryngoscope examination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid nozzle is configured to discharge the jet of fluid across the outer surface of the removed viewing window in a direction parallel to the outer surface.

9. The laryngoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third channel extending along the first channel and terminating at a third distal opening adjacent to the first distal opening and positioned on the opposite side of the first distal opening from the fluid nozzle.

10. The laryngoscope apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the third channel is configured to apply suction to remove the discharged fluid and any substances removed by the discharged fluid from the viewing window.

11. The laryngoscope according to claim 9, wherein the third channel is configured to receive a separate device so that the third channel can be used as a working channel.

12. The laryngoscope examination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid nozzle is integrally formed with the removal and viewing window from the same material.

13. The laryngoscope examination apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the handle and the blade are integrally formed from the same material.

14. The laryngoscope according to claim 10, further comprising a lateral flange extending from the third distal opening to the distal end of the blade, wherein the flange functions as a backstop for the discharged fluid and removed material to assist in the removal of the fluid and material through the third channel.

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