GB2491189A

GB2491189A - Laryngoscope blade with light and power source

Info

Publication number: GB2491189A
Application number: GB201108980A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shah Fayyaz
Original assignee: TIMESCO HEALTHCARE Ltd
Current assignee: TIMESCO HEALTHCARE Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-27
Filing date: 2011-05-27
Publication date: 2012-11-28
Also published as: GB201108980D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a medical examination or manipulation device that comprises a head 1, through which light is directed, which is attachable to a handle. The invention provides a head 1, for connection to a handle, which comprises a coupling arrangement (21, see figure 1) for coupling the head to a handle, a light source 30 and a power source 28. The light source and power supply are secured to the head and/or the coupling arrangement. As such, there is no requirement for a light guide to transfer light from the handle to the blade, and no need for an electrical connection between the handle and head. The light source may be an LED. The battery and LED may be provided in a housing (24, see figure 1), which may be removably attached to the coupling or head, and a switch may be provided. A light guide 19 may extend from the light source. The coupling may be integral with the head. The head may be a laryngoscope spatula.

Description

Head Assembly for a Medical Examination Device The present invention relates to a medical examination and optionally manipulation device that comprises a head through which light is directed, and where the head is attachable to a handle. Such devices are often but not exclusively for insertion into a body cavity where the device may have a spatula element or a blade element for expanding or increasing an opening in a body and a light for enabling visibility of the necessary part of the body by an operator. Examples of such devices may be otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, anoscopes and vaginal examination devices. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a laryngoscope blade assembly.

Laryngoscope assemblies are known in the art and are used to facilitate tracheal intubation or for procedures on the larynx or other parts of the upper tracheobronchial tree.

Known laryngoscopes are typically provided with a blade which is arranged to couple to a handle. The handle generally provides a power source therein and at an upper end of the handle adjacent a connection for the blade, there is provided a light source. A light guide is provided to direct light from the light source along a portion of the longitudinal length of the blade in order to direct light to the desired location. In an alternative configuration, the light source may be located in or on the blade assembly, where the blade assembly may be pivotally mounted to the handle, and rotation to the in use' configuration where the handle and blade assembly are generally orthogonal to each other a connection is achieved between the power source in the handle and the light source in the blade assembly.

There are disadvantages associated with known arrangements.

According to the present invention there is a head of a medical examination device for connection to a handle comprising: a coupling arrangement for coupling the head to a handle; a light source; and a power source; wherein the light source and power source are secured to the head and/or the coupling arrangement.

There are significant benefits associated with such an arrangement. As there is no requirement for a light guide to transfer light from the handle to the blade, which relies on careful alignment between the handle and the head, then the light source can be guaranteed irrespective of the handle to be used. Such devices are used in often stressed and high pressure environments where the operator must be absolutely confident that there will be light when required.

In one embodiment the head includes a spatula arrangement or may comprise a blade arrangement.

It is further beneficial that there is no need for provision of an electrical connection between the handle and the light source, rather there is an electrical connection between the power source and the light source irrespective of whether the coupling arrangement is connected to the handle. Furthermore, the operator does not need to consider whether the handle has sufficient power or recharge batteries that may be provided in the handle in

prior art systems.

The coupling arrangement is preferably fixedly secured to the head. The coupling arrangement may be any known coupling arrangement commonly used in the art which enables coupling of the head to the handle.

The light source is preferably provided in a housing. The power source is preferably also provided in the housing. This ensures that there is no possibility of interruption between the power source and the light source other than through provision of a switch which the user may operate to test the device before use and then turn the light source on. The switch preferably also enables the light to be turned off The switch is beneficially mounted on the head or coupling arrangement. The light source is preferably a light emitting diode (LED). The power source is preferably a cell or battery.

A light guide is preferably provided extending from the light source in the longitudinal length of the head. The light source is preferably secured to the head. Light guides are commonly known in the art. In one embodiment, the light source such as a LED may be provided at other locations along the longitudinal length of the blade. As such, the light source maybe positioned towards the distal end of the head, and may obviate the requirement for a light guide. The power source may also be positioned at different locations in the longitudinal length of the head.

The housing is preferably secured to the coupling arrangement. Alternatively, the housing may be secured to the head. The head and the coupling arrangement may be integrally formed, however, it is beneficial that the coupling arrangement is a polymeric material having a portion enabling deflection to be secured to a handle. The head is preferably fixedly secured to the coupling arrangement. The fixing may be permanent. The housing preferably includes a protruding portion which is received in the coupling arrangement.

In one embodiment the housing including the power and/or light source may be releasably secured to the head. The housing could be transferred between different heads which may comprise different medical devices. The housing beneficially includes the switch.

Also according to an aspect of the present invention there is a module for securing to a medical examination device comprising a light source and a power source for supplying power to the light source. Accordingly the module, which is beneficially a receptacle, can be secured to a medical examination device. The module may be releasably fixed to the device. The module beneficially also comprises a switch for switching the power supply from an off to an on configuration, and preferably also from an on to an off configuration.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device, specifically a laryngoscope blade assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the opposing side of the device of Figure 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 with a portion of the housing removed to identify the components therein.

Referring to the Figures there is shown a laryngoscope blade assembly generally designated 1 for use with a handle which is not shown. The laryngoscope blade assembly 1 comprises a blade 3 having a first curved spatula section 5 extending from the proximal end 7 to the distal end 9 of the blade. The spatula section is provided extending generally perpendicular to a spine portion 11 comprising an upstanding wall extending upwardly from the curved spatula section 5. The spine portion 11 tapers from a relatively wide span at the proximal end 7 of the assembly to an apex at the distal end of the assembly. The first curved spatula section 5 also tapers from the proximal end to the distal end of the blade. A second curved spatula portion 15 projects generally perpendicular from the spine portion 11 and is of generally constant width having a hooked portion 15 at the distal end of the blade. The second spatula portion 13 has an opening 17 therein for receipt of a light guide 19 to pass therethrough to secure the light guide 19 to the blade. The spatula and spine portions are formed as a single integral blade component 1 and may be joined of a surgical metal material or plastic material.

The blade 3 in a exemplary embodiment shown is fixedly secured to a coupling arrangement 21 which is arranged to be coupled to a handle. A slot 23 is provided for engagement with a handle. It will be appreciated, however, that alternative coupling arrangements may be provided dependent on specific handle connections.

The coupling arrangement 21 is preferably fixedly secured to the handle 5, wherein the handle comprises a projection (not shown) which extends into and is received by the coupling arrangement 21. As shown in Figure 1 in particular, there is a receptacle which in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 comprises a projection 25 which is received by the coupling arrangement 21. A receptacle or housing 24 is fixedly secured to the coupling arrangement 21 in the exemplary embodiment shown and receives the power source and light source. However, it will be appreciated that the housing may be integrally formed with the coupling arrangement 2!. Alternatively, the housing 24 may be secured to the blade 5 or may be integrally formed with the blade 5. In one embodiment the housing 24 may be secured to the blade 3 or coupling arrangement 21 and after use broken away from the blade 3 or coupling arrangement and either re-used in which ease a releasable connection is provided or alternatively may be disposed of as necessary. The receptacle 24 comprises a switch 26 which is user operable which switches the power between the cell 28 to the light source 30 as clearly shown in Figure 3. Light is transmitted from the light source 30 through the light guide 19 towards the distal end 9 of the blade 5. Accordingly, a user may selectively turn on and off the power source or test the light output even when the handle is secured to the blade assembly 1. The handle, therefore, provides no other function than a securing mechanism for the blade assembly 1 and a handle grip for the operator. Instead, the receptacle or module 24 containing the power source 28 and the light source 30 are simply received by a projection 25 in the coupling arrangement 21.

Significant benefits are associated with the present invention. There is no battery or cell cost associated with the handle nor is there any maintenance of the handle. The cell or battery may be one or more 3V LI-MN cells which provide sufficient power to power the LED. Furthermore, the switch enabling switching on or off of the power source can be easily tested with out the requirement for a handle whereas prior art arrangements require elevation of the blade from a closed to an in-use position or depression of the bulb holder in the handle.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A head of a medical examination device for connection to a handle comprising: -a coupling arrangement for coupling the head to a handle; -a light source; and -a power source; wherein the light source and power source are secured to the head and/or the coupling arrangement.
2. A head according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for selecting whether power is supplied from the power source to the light source, the switch being provided on the head and/or the coupling arrangement.
3. A head according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling arrangement is fixedly secured to the head.
4. A head according to any preceding claim, wherein the light source is provided in a housing.
5. A head according to claim 4, wherein the power source is provided in the housing.
6. A head according to any of claims 4 to S wherein the housing is releasably secured to the head.
7. A head according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the power source is a battery.
8. A head according to any preceding claim, comprising a light guide extending from the light source in a longitudinal length of the head.
9. A head according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the housing is secured to the coupling arrangement.
10. A head according to any preceding claim, wherein the head and coupling arrangement are integrally joined.
11. A head according to any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the housing is integrally joined with the head.
12. A head according to any preceding claim comprising an elongate spatula arrangement.
13. A head according to claim 12, wherein the spatula arrangement comprises a blade.
14. A head according any preceding claim, as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
15. A module for securing to a medical examination device comprising a light source and a power source for supplying power to the light source.
16. A module according to claim 15 including a switch for switching the power supply from an off to an on configuration.