Video Laryngoscope Control Button Positioning and Light Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video laryngoscopes face challenges in providing an ergonomic design that allows for confident grip and clear visualization during intubation procedures, with existing control buttons often obstructing the view and lacking tactile feedback, especially for users wearing gloves.
Innovation Solution
A laryngoscope system with a control unit and blade unit design where the control button is positioned in a forward direction relative to the display, featuring a tactile protrusion for easy identification and operation, allowing for a firm grip without obstructing the view, and incorporating a camera unit with a light emitter separated by a light-tight wall to improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control button is positioned on the control unit near the display, then it is easily accessible for operation, but it obstructs the view of the display screen
Solution Approach 1:
The control button is repositioned from a two-dimensional plane near the display to a third-dimensional location on the forward-facing surface of the control unit. This spatial relocation in another dimension allows the button to be easily accessible for thumb operation while completely clear of the display viewing area, eliminating the obstruction problem.
2Device complexity
If the control button lacks tactile features, then the design is simpler, but users wearing gloves cannot easily identify or operate the button
Solution Approach 1:
The control button incorporates a localized tactile protrusion feature on its forward-facing surface. This local quality enhancement provides distinct tactile feedback and identification for users wearing gloves, while the rest of the button maintains its simple circular shape, thus minimizing overall design complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the light emitter and image sensor are positioned close together, then the device structure is more compact, but light from the emitter interferes with the image sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The camera unit is segmented into distinct functional zones by introducing a light-tight wall that partitions the housing. This segmentation separates the light emitter and image sensor into different compartments, preventing light interference while maintaining overall compactness through efficient spatial arrangement of the divided components.
Solution Approach 2:
A light-tight wall is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the light emitter and image sensor. This intermediary structure blocks harmful light from reaching the image sensor while allowing both components to remain in close proximity, thus maintaining compact device structure without suffering from light interference.
4Device complexity
If the blade unit and control unit are integrated as one piece, then the structure is simpler, but the blade cannot be replaced for sterilization or different procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The laryngoscope is segmented into two separable units: a reusable control unit and a disposable blade unit. The control unit houses electronic components and power supply, while the blade unit contains the cutting edge and can be easily detached for replacement. This segmentation enables blade replacement for sterilization or different procedures while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through modular design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user ergonomics by providing a confident grip and clear visualization, with improved tactile feedback and reduced obstruction, while maintaining high image quality through the separation of light and image sensor components.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a camera unit with a light emitter separated by a light-tight wall to improve image quality
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~3D
Figure 4A~5B
AI summary
Disclosed is a laryngoscope assembly (4) and parts thereof. The laryngoscope assembly comprises a blade unit (100) extending from a proximal end (102) to a distal end (106), the blade unit having a distal part extending to the distal end and comprising a first surface (108), wherein the distal part is adapted to be inserted into a patient's oral cavity with the first surface facing the patient's tongue. The laryngoscope assembly further comprises a control unit (200) comprising a body portion having a first body portion (202A) and a second body portion (202B), the first body portion being couplable to the blade unit. The control unit and the blade unit, when being coupled, collectively form a laryngoscope. The control unit being adapted to receive image data from an image sensor (402) as the image data is being generated by the image sensor, wherein, at least when the control unit is coupled to the blade unit, the image data is indicative of a view from the distal part of the blade unit in a direction at least partly towards the distal end.