CA2164224A1

CA2164224A1 - A laryngoscope for exposing the throat area of a patient

Info

Publication number: CA2164224A1
Application number: CA 2164224
Authority: CA
Inventors: Manfred Brummert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-06-15
Filing date: 1994-06-01
Publication date: 1994-12-22
Also published as: WO1994028785A1; AU6930794A; EP0703749A1; JPH08510938A; BR9406806A

Abstract

The invention relates to an instrument (laryngoscope) for exposing the throat area of a patent, including a tongue depressor or tongue spatula (11) and a handle or similar grip connected thereto. In order to be able to operate the instrument with little effort and without involving any risk of harm to the patient's incisor teeth, a palate spatula (9) is associated to the tongue spatula (11), wherein the tongue spatula (11) and palate spatula (9) are held so as to be capable of swivelling relative to each other for performing an expanding movement and are connected to a drive for the expanding movement. This drive may be in the form of a hand drive, the actuating levers (7, 10) thereof taking the form of extensions of the two spatula parts (9, 11). With the laryngoscope according to the invention the risk of harm to the patient's incisor teeth is almost ruled out.

Description

216~224 ~:ILE, P~.l 1.~ TlllS AMENDED
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PCT Patent Application PCT/EP 94/01781 in the name of Dr. med. Manfred Brummert Title: "Laryngoscope"

A LarYnqoscoPe for ExPosinq the Throat Area of a Patient O
The invention relates to a laryngoscope for exposing for throat area of a patient, including a tongue depressor or tongue spatula and a palate spatula which are held so as to be capable of swivelling relative to each other for performing an expanding movement and each have an outer extension as drive for the expanding movement, the extensions taking the form of a handle, finger lever or similar grip, wherein the instrument is of a configuration resembling expanding forceps.
'O
Laryngoscopes are used in medicine chiefly in the field of anaesthesia. These laryngoscopes are mostly used for inspecting the throat area and for introducing a tube into the trachea of a generally anaesthetized patient for the purpose of artificial respiration.

These known laryngoscopes are practically L-shaped in design and have a handle and a tongue spatula connected thereto at approximately a right angle (cf. U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,638,644). After the tongue spatula has been introduced into the patient's open mouth, his tongue can be pressed down and the laryngeal inlet can be exposed. To do so, the doctor or like attending person has to pull the grip away from himself in the direction of the patient's body.

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However, this pull exerted on the handle sometimes requires considerable effort and often cannot be accomplished with sufficient force by weaker persons, with the result that it is not possible for the laryngeal inlet to be viewed and the 5 respiratory tube fails to be inserted. If, on the other hand, the patient's incisor teeth are used as an abutment for the tongue spatula so as to take advantage of a lever action, this is liable cause harm to the teeth.

G SU-1 676 590 has disclosed a laryngoscope, the tongue spatula of which has a longitudinal slot for a guide wire to be passed through. While a finger ring is providea as a grip at the one free end zone of the generally U-shaped guide wire, an intubation catheter can be attached to the circular arc shaped, other end of the guide wire. The guide wire traversing the longitudinal slot in the tongue spatula of the laryngoscope facilitates accurate positioning of the catheter in that the operating surgeon's finger gripping the finger ring steers the intubation catheter held at the other end of 23 the guide wire. However, exposing the laryngeal inlet proper is not additionally facilitated by this known laryngoscope.

German laid open print No. 28 50 613 A1 has disclosed a laryngoscope having at its distal end zone, facing the patient, two spatulas movable relative to each other. When these two spatulas are moved towards each other, the known larynogoscope can also be introduced into an almost closed mouth which cannot be opened further owing, for instance, to pathological changes in the jaw area. After the laryngoscope has been introduced, the two spatulas are moved apart from each other in the throat area so that a tube can be passed through between the spatulas and through a tubular laryngoscope member having an optic. Since this known laryngoscope comes into use only in the special cases where there is a pathological change in the jaw area and no force . , . . . . . _ . ..

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is allowed to be applied to the jaw (cf.page 4, para. 2 of German laid open print No. 28 50 613), the spatulas are not especially configured as ones for the tongue or palate.

FR-2 272 632 describes a larynogoscope having two flat bars which are circular arc shaped at their distal ends and are contiguous in the initial position. Through a sliding movement of these two flat bars relative to each other, the circular arc shaped ends of the rods are moved away from each other and the throat area of the patient is expanded so far as to facilitate examination of the throat area. A tilted mirror may also be provided at the outer flat rods and permit the throat area to be viewed indirectly. This known instrument according to FR-2 272 632 facilitates examination of the throat area of a patient, but is neither suited nor contemplated for inserting and positioning an intubation catheter.

A laryngoscope of the kind mentioned at the outset is already known from DE 32 17 476 A1, comprising a round tube having two parts in its longitudinal direction, with an upper and a lower spatula-shaped part capable of swivelling relative to each other about an upper axis of rotation. The upper spatula part is connected to a hand lever to carry out an expanding movement. The required swivel position between the upper and lower spatula part can be firmly fixed by a setscrew acting on the upper spatula part. The known laryngoscope is supported with its two swivel-connected spatula parts against the front rows of teeth of a patient's upper and lower jaws.
The laryngoscope known from DE 32 17 476 A1 serves as a surgical instrument enabling the throat area of a patient to be kept open during an operation. However this laryngoscope is not suited or contemplated for inserting and positioning an intubation catheter either.

2~ 6~24 Therefore the object underlying the invention is particularly to provide a laryngoscope of the kind mentioned at the outset, enabling even relatively weak persons to open the throat area of a patient and to insert, for instance, an intubation catheter with little effort and without involving the risk of harm to the patient's teeth.

This object is accomplished according to the invention G particularly in that the palate spatula is approximately S-shaped in side view and is of spoon-shaped configuration at its free spatula-end zone.

The laryngoscope according to the invention has a palate ,5 spatula using the hard palate as an abutment. This palate spatula is approximately S-shaped in side view and is of spoon-shaped configuration at its free spatula-end zone. By virtue of its spoon-shaped configuration, the palate spatula adapts itself especially well to the anatomical conditions of ~0 a patient's hard palate. The instrument according to the invention also avoids in a particularly simple manner any impact on the patient's incisor teeth. This palate spatula is swivel-connected to the tongue spatula. Tongue spatula and palate spatula each have an outer extension as drive for the expanding movement and can therefore be mutually braced in an easy and simple fashion, so that the patient's buccal cavity is kept open, the patient's tongue is pressed down and the laryngeal inlet is exposed with the epiglottis raised. The outer extensions in each case take the form of a handle, finger lever or similar grip and serve as an actuating lever, so that the laryngoscope according to the invention is operable by way of a hand drive. In the laryngoscope according to the invention, in which the two spatula parts can be mutually braced by means of the actuating levers, an -additional motor drive for the expanding movements is not provided.

The laryngoscope according to the invention is of a configuration resembling expanding forceps, wherein the tongue spatula together with the extension thereof is essentially arranged on the one side of the swivel pin and the palate spatula and extension thereof is essentially arranmged on the opposite, other side of the swivel pin. Such a configuration resembling expanding forceps enhances the simple handling of the laryngoscope according to the invention. At the same time the effort exerted on the actuating levers by the attending person can be regulated well. Since the two actuating levers take the form of extensions of the tongue spatula and palate spatula, the lever action of the laryngoscope embodying the invention means that it is easy to operate even by weaker users.

The simple handling of the laryngoscope according to the invention is promoted if the extension of the palate spatula takes the form of a handle and the extension of the tongue spatula takes the form of a finger grip.

In order that the tongue spatula of the laryngoscope according to the invention can be detached from the palate spatula and replaced by a different tongue spatula adapted to the anatomical conditions of the patient, it is advantageous if the tongue spatula and the palate spatula are detachably interconnected at their common swivel pin. A preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates that the one spatula part, preferably the tongue spatula, has a bearing socket or similar bearing arrangement at least partially embracing the swivel pin held at the other spatula part and that this bearing arrangement is partially open, particularly in a .` 216~Z24 direction towards the spatula end, for inserting and removing the swivel pin.

A development of the invention contemplates that the handle or similar grip connected to the tongue spatula and/or palate spatula likewise takes the form of a tongue spatula and/or palate spatula and that arranged off-centre on said spatula part is the bearing arrangement between tongue spatula on the one hand and palate spatula on the other hand. In the present embodiment of the laryngoscope according to the invention, ~ both free end zones of at least one spatula part take the form of a tongue spatula and/or palate spatula. Hence both free end zones of this spatula part can be interchanged and used as tongue spatula or palate spatula. Selection can be made between end zones of different length if need be, if the bearing arrangement between the tongue spatula on the one hand and the palate spatula on the other hand is arranged off-centre on this spatula part. In particular, it is suitable in such an embodiment of the invention if the swivel pin of the bearing arrangement provided between the spatula parts is arranged on that spatula part whose two end zones take the form of a tongue spatula or palate spatula.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention contemplates that the one spatula part has at least two bearing arrangements in spaced relationship to each other and/or the other spatula part has at least two swivel pins in spaced relationship to each other. Such an embodiment presents several possibilities for nesting the two spatula parts of the appliance according to the invention, avoiding the provision of several spatulas of different length and allowing it to be limited to e.g. two tongue spatulas and/or palate spatulas, namely one spatula for adults and one for children in each case. Such an embodiment also presents good possibilities for adaptation to different anatomical conditions.

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In order that, after the laryngoscope according to the invention has been used, disinfection can be limited to the palate spatula end zone which has been inserted in the patient's mouth, avoiding also disinfecting the palate spatula handle connected e.g. to a source of energy, it may be appropriate if the palate spatula has a coupling point for replacing its free end zone. Such a coupling point may also be advantageous for the free end zone of the spatula to be 0 replaced at this coupling point by a spatula end zone of different spatula length. In this way the distance between the swivel pin of the two spatula parts and the free spatula end of the palate spatula can be adapted to the individual anatomical conditions of the patient in question.
In order to gain a good view of the throat area after the laryngeal inlet has been exposed, it is appropriate if the palate spatula has at its free end zone a lighting device and if the storage batteries, batteries or a similar power supply associated to the lighting device is arranged in the palate ;patula extension taking the form of a handle.

It is advantageous if the free end of the palate spatula is bent in a direction towards the tongue spatula. The lighting device provided on the palate spatula at the free end thereof bent in a direction towards the tongue spatula is capable of illuminating the throat area especially well.

Further features of the invention follow from the description below of an exemplified embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with the claims and drawings. The individual features may be realized singly or severally in an embodiment of the invention.

2~ 6~224 In the drawings, partly in schematic form, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a laryngoscope for exposing the throat area of a patient, having a palate spatula and a tongue spatula interconnected so as to be capable of swivelling and of being detached, Fig. 2 is the laryngoscope of Figure 1 in its initial position in a patient's buccal cavity, . O
- Fig. 3 is the laryngoscope of Figures 1 and 2 in its expanded position depicted in schematic form, Fig. 4 is a known laryngoscope, practically L-shaped in design, having a handle and a tongue spatula connected thereto at approximately a right angle, Fig. 5 are the palate spatulas which form part of a laryngoscope according to the invention and are connected to a handle, the two palate spatulas in each case having two swivel pins in spaced relationship to each other and these palate spatulas having a coupling point for replacement of their free spatula end zones, Fig. 6 is the tongue spatula which forms part of a laryngoscope according to the in~ention and is connected to a finger lever, the tongue spatula being provided with two bearing sockets in spaced relationship to each other for receiving the swivel pins of a palate spatula, Fig. 7 is the handle of the laryngoscope depicted in Figure 4, 216~24 -g Fig. 8 is the tongue spatula of the laryngoscope depicted in Figures 4 and 7, Fig. 9 is a laryngoscope, similar to that of Figures 1 to 3, for exposing the throat area of a patient upon insertion in the buccal cavity, wherein the handle of Fig. 7 is used for the tongue spatula extension serving as a grip, O Fig. 10 is the laryngoscope of Fig. 9 in expanded condition, Fig. 11 is the tongue spatula of the laryngoscope of Figs. 9 and 10, Fig. 12 is the palate spatula of the laryngoscope of Figs. 9 to 11, Fig. 13 is a laryngoscope, similar to that of Figs. 9 to 12, as it is inserted in the buccal cavity, the handle of Fig. 7 here being provided as the palate spatula extension, Fig. 14 is the laryngoscope of Fig. 13 in the expanded condition, Fig. 15 is the palate spatula which forms part of the laryngoscope of Figs. 13 and 14 an~ is usable with the handle of Fig. 7, and Fig. 16 is the tongue spatula of the laryngoscope of Figs. 13 to 15.

Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate a laryngoscope which serves to expose the throat area of a patient. The laryngoscope in Figures 1 ~1642~4 ,G

to 3 is of a configuration resembling expanding forceps and has a tongue depressor or tongue spatula 11 and a palate spatula 9 associated to the tongue spatula 11. These two spatula parts 9, 11 are held so as to be capable of 5 swivelling relative to each other for performing an expanding movement and are connected to a drive for the expanding movement.

The laryngoscope according to Figures 1 to 3 is to be 0 operated by means of hand drive. For this purpose the tongue spatula 11 and the palate spatula 9 each have an outer extension serving as actuating levers 7, 10. The extension of the palate spatula 9 takes the form of a handle 7, while the tongue spatula 11 is integrally connected to the finger lever i5 10.

As becomes apparent from Figures 2 and 3, the tongue spatula 11 together with the extension 10 thereof is essentially arranged on the one side of the swivel pin 8a and the palate spatula 9 and extension 7 thereof is essentially arranged on the opposite, other side of the swivel pin 8a.

2164~24 o~

cll~io~l seLvi~ly as actuatiny ~ver3 7, 10. T~ e~tensio~ro~
the ~ e spatula 9 takes the form of a handle 7, while the tongue sp ~ 11 is integrally connected to the finger lever 10.
As becomes apparent from ~ res 2 and 3, the tongue spatula 11 together with the extensi ~ 10 thereof is essentially arranged on the one side of the sw ~ 1 pin 8a and the palate spatula 9 and extension 7 thereof is e`3sentially arranged on the oPPo.citc~ othcr sidc of thc swivcl ~i ~ a.

The tongue spatula 11 and palate spatula 9 are detachably interconnected at their common swivel pin 8a. The tongue spatula 11 has for this purpose an approximately semicircular bearing socket 8b which is open towards the end of the tongue spatula and into which the swivel pin 8a held at the palate spatula 9 can be introduced or inserted. Through the detachable connection of the two spatula parts 9, 11, the tongue spatula 11 can be quickly and simply replaced by a different tongue spatula 11, so as to adapt the laryngoscope to the anatomical conditions of the patient in question.

It becomes clear from Figures 1 to 3 that the palate spatula 9 is of generally S-shaped configuration in side view. In this way the palate spatula 9 in its use position is guided at a distance around the patient's incisor teeth 6. Through its spoon-shaped configuration, it is adapted well to the anatomical conditions. In the expanded position illustrated in Figure 3, the laryngoscope expands the patient's buccal cavity, presses down the patient's tongue 3 and exposes the laryngeal inlet 5.

In this expanded position, it is possible to inspect the throat area of the patient well and to insert a respiratory tube. To this end, the laryngoscope illustrated in Figures 1 2~6~22~

to 3 is inserted in the patient's open mouth with spatula parts 9, 11 closed, to such a depth that the palate spatula 9 comes to rest in the vault of the hard palate 12. In this position the handle 7 and the finger lever 10 are practically furthest away from each other, while the spatula parts 9, 11 are in their proximate initial position.

The two actuating levers 7, 10 are then moved towards each other through the muscular power of the attending person's hand, so that the spatula parts 9, 11 swivel-connected by means of their coupling members 8a, 8b carry out an expanding movement in the patient's buccal cavity. In so doing, the hard palate 12 serves as an abutment for the palate spatula 9. Depending on the extent of the expanded position and depending on the manual force expended, the patient's tongue 3 is forced back so far as to permit a free view into the laryngeal inlet 5.

Then, using the attending person's free hand, a respiratory tube can be inserted into the trachea 14 by way of the right or left corner of the mouth.

Since the actuating levers 7, 10 take the form of extensions of the two spatula parts 9, 11, the lever action of these extensions enables greater development of force as a result of the physiological power generated throu~h the attending person's hand. This development of force can be realized better by way of the palate 12 acted upon by the palate spatula 9 and serving as an abutment and thereby makes it easier for the patient's tongue 3 to be pressed away. Any risk of harm to the incisor teeth is almost ruled out with the laryngoscope illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

In order to be able to view and inspect the throat area of the patient well, the laryngoscope illustrated in Figures 1 21~224 -to 3 has at the free end zone of its palate spatula a light source, the power supply of which is accommodated in the handle 7. A rechargeable storage battery or an orthodox battery can be used as the power supply. The lighting device or similar light source 13 at the free end zone of the palate spatula 9 is activated by actuating an on-off switching mechanism preferably provided at the handle 7. Since the free end of the spoon-shaped palate spatula 9 is bent in a direction towards the tongue spatula 11, the throat area of the patient is illuminated particularly well.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate two palate spatulas (Fig. 5) and one tongue spatula (Fig. 6) of an instrument which embodies the invention and conforms in its main features with the instrument of Figures 1 to 3. However the palate spatulas in Fig. 5 have two swivel pins 8a spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction, hence presenting different possibilities for attaching a tongue spatula 1 for adaptation to the anatomical conditions of a patient. This tongue spatula may be similar to that illustrated in Figure 1.
However it becomes clear from Fig. 6 that the tongue spatula may also have two hook-shaped bearing sockets 8b spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction, so as to provide further possibilities of variation in the swivel connection of the spatula parts 1, 9. The manifold possibilities of attachment of the spatula parts 1, 9 illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 avoid the provision of several spatulas of different length. For instance, only two tongue spatulas or palate spatulas 1, 9 each are required, which might be intended as ones for adults and children.

The palate spatulas 9 illustrated in Figure 5 have a coupling point 15 arranged between the free, spoon-shaped spatula-end zone and the swivel pin of the palate spatula 9. This 3~ coupling point 15 serves for removing or replacing the free ~ ~64224 spatula-end zones, which can hence be disinfected separately and without the handle 7 bearing the source of energy for the lighting device 13. As Figure 5 shows, a plurality of spatula-end zones with different spatula lengths are provided in order to be able to adapt the palate spatula 9 simply to the anatomical conditions of the patient in question. The coupling point 15 of the palate spatula 9 illustrated in Figure 5 may take the form of for instance a screw coupling or plug-in coupling and, if so, a light coupling for the lighting device 13 is also to be provided therein.

Figure 4 illustrates a known laryngoscope. This known, generally L-shaped laryngoscope has a handle 2 connected to a tongue depressor or tongue spatula l at approximately a right angle. After the tongue spatula l has been introduced into the patient's open mouth, the patient's tongue can be pressed down and the laryngeal inlet 5 exposed. To do so, the doctor or similar attending person has to pull the handle 2 of the laryngoscope illustrated in Figure 4 away from himself in the direction of the patient's body. This is attended by the danger that the attending person's hand gripping the handle 2 slips off the free end zone of the handle 2 as a result of the pull exerted. The pull exerted on the handle sometimes also requires considerable effort and often cannot be carried out forcefully enough by weaker persons. If the patient's incisor teeth are used as an abutment for the tongue spatula l to take advantage of a lever action, this is liable to harm the teeth.

In contradistinction, the laryngoscope according to the invention, as illustrated in Figures l to 3, can be operated easily and with little effort even by weaker persons, almost ruling out any danger of damage to the patient's incisor teeth.

The laryngoscope of Figure 4 is shown again in its component parts in Figures 7 and 8. In order that the handle of Figure 7 can also be used in a laryngoscope according to the invention, instead of the tongue spatula shown in Figure 8 the tongue spatula 11 shown in Fig. 9 is coupled in the known manner to this conventional handle 2. Unlike the conventional tongue spatula 1 of Figure 8, which is angled in a generally L-shape in the position of use, the tongue spatula 11 of Figure 9 is designed in such a way that, in the nested condition coupled to the handle 2, it points approximately in the extended direction of this handle 2. Provided near the coupling between the handle 2 and the tongue spatula 11 is a further possibility for coupling the palate spatula 9 which continues outside the mouth in a finger lever serving as the actuating lever 7. The tongue spatula 11 illustrated in Figure 11 of the laryngoscope of Figures 9 and 10 has for this purpose a longitudinal slot 20 in whose upper zone, facing the handle 2, there is the swivel pin 8a co-operating with the bearing socket 8b of the palate spatula 9 (cf.
Figure 12). By nesting the swivel pin 8a in the bearing socket 8b, the tongue spatula 11 can be connected to the palate spatula 9 of the laryngoscope illustrated in Figures 9 to 12. In the case of this laryngoscope, the buccal cavity is likewise illuminated through a light source which - as in the conventional spatula - is located near the tip of the tongue spatula 11 and is energized by way of a source of energy situated in the handle 2.

Figures 13 to 16 show a comparable laryngoscope in which the handle 2 of a conventional instrument is also used. However, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 13 to 16, a generally S-shaped palate spatula 9 is attached with a fitting coupling member to the conventional laryngoscope handle 2. The handle 2 is hence provided as an extension of this palate spatula 9. Similarly as in the instrument - 21~4224 .

illustrated in Figures 9 to 12, a further possibility for coupling the tongue spatula 11 is provided near the coupling provided between the palate spatula 9 and the handle 2. The swivel pin 8a between spatula parts 9, 11 is likewise arranged in the upper zone, facing the handle 2, of a longitudinal slot 20 provided in the palate spatula 9. This swivel pin 8a, which in the embodiment shown in Figures 13 to 16 is also arranged transversely of the longitudinal expanse of the longitudinal slot 20 and palate spatula 9, co-operates with a bearing socket 8b provided on the tonguespatula 11. The tongue spatula 11 has above the bearing socket 8b an extension which is arranged outside the patient's mouth and serves as an actuating lever 10. As in the case of the instrument illustrated in Figures 9 to 12, the mechanism of opening the mouth with the laryngoscope shown in Figures 13 to 16 tallies with that described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the case of the laryngoscope according to Figures 13 to 16, the buccal cavity is illuminated through a light source 13 which is provided in the spoon-shaped palate spatula 9 and is energized by way of the source of energy situated in the handle 2.

The laryngoscopes illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, 5, 6 and 9 to 16 can be operated easily and with little effort even by weaker persons to introduce an intubation cather into a patient's buccal cavity, without their use involving any risk of harm to the patient's teeth. The palate spatula or tongue spatula 9, 11 zone introduced in the patient's buccal cavity is approximately equal to or smaller than the distance from the bearing arrangement 8 provided between these spatula parts to the corresponding distal spatula end facing the patient. Since the bearing arrangement of the spatula parts is hence arranged outside the patient's mouth, a maximum development of force and lever action can be attained with 216422~

comparatively little effort in the laryngoscope according to the invention.

/Patent Claims

Claims

Patent Claims

1. A laryngoscope for exposing the throat area of a patent, including a tongue depressor or tongue spatula (11) and a palate spatula (9) which (9, 11) are held so as to be capable of swivelling relative to each other for performing an expanding movement and each have an outer extension as drive for the expanding movement, said extensions taking the form of a handle, finger lever or similar grip (7, 10), wherein the laryngoscope is of a configuration resembling expanding forceps, characterized in that the palate spatula (9) is approximately S-shaped in side view and is of spoon-shaped configuration at the free spatula-end zone thereof.

2. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the tongue spatula (11) together with the extension thereof is essentially arranged on the one side of the swivel pin (8a) and the palate spatula (9) and extension thereof is essentially arranged on the opposite, other side of the swivel pin (8a).

3. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the extension of the palate spatula (9) takes the form of a handle (7) and the extension of the tongue spatula (11) takes the form of a finger lever (10).

4. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tongue spatula (11) and the palate spatula (9) are detachably interconnected at their common swivel pin (8a).

5. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the one spatula part, preferably the tongue spatula (11) has a bearing socket (8b) or similar bearing arrangement at least partially embracing the swivel pin (3a) held at the other spatula part (9) and that said bearing arrangement (8b) is partially open, particularly in a direction towards the spatula end, for inserting and removing the swivel pin (8a).

6. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the one spatula part has at least two bearing arrangements (8b) in spaced relationship to each other and/or the other spatula part has at least two swivel pins (8a) in spaced relationship to each other.

7. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that for replacement of the free end zone of the palate spatula (9) the latter has a coupling point (15) and that the free spatula-end zone is replaceable at said coupling point (15) particularly by a spatula-end zone with a different spatula length.

8. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the palate spatula (9) has at the free end zone thereof a lighting device (13) and that the storage batteries, batteries or a similar power supply associated to the lighting device (13) is arranged in the palate spatula (9) extension taking the form of a handle (7).

9. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the free end of the palate spatula (9) is bent in a direction towards the tongue spatula (11).

10. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the handle or similar grip (7, 10) connected to the tongue spatula (11) and/or to the palate spatula (9) likewise takes the form of a tongue spatula and/or palate spatula and that arranged off-centre on said spatula part is the bearing arrangement (8a, 8b) between tongue spatula (11) on the one hand and palate spatula (9) on the other hand.

11. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the inserted zone of the palate spatula and tongue spatula (9, 11) is approximately equal to or shorter than the distance from the bearing arrangement between said spatula parts to the corresponding distal spatula end facing the patient.