GB2537118A

GB2537118A - Laryngoscope blade assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2537118A
Application number: GB1505868.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fayyaz Shah; Edward Bryant Ashley
Original assignee: TIMESCO HEALTHCARE Ltd
Current assignee: TIMESCO HEALTHCARE Ltd
Priority date: 2015-04-07
Filing date: 2015-04-07
Publication date: 2016-10-12
Also published as: GB201505868D0; CN205054155U; GB2537118A8

Abstract

A laryngoscope blade assembly comprises a blade having a longitudinal length extending to a tip 10 and a light guide 18 that projects towards the tip 10. The light guide 18 has a tip portion 20 with a cross section transverse to the longitudinal length of the blade. The width of the cross section of the tip is less than its height. In one embodiment the width of the tip portion 20 tapers towards the distal end and its height may increase towards the distal end. Also disclosed is a laryngoscope blade assembly with a light guide 18 that has a cylindrical elongate body and a laryngoscope blade assembly with a base 6 that is securable to a handle, and where the blade extends from the base 6. In another claimed embodiment the blade assembly has a light guide, and base which the blade extends from. The base comprises upper and lower flanges 12, 14, an intermediate web portion 16, first and second side walls 28a, 28b, a front end, a rearward end and a light guide which is partially housed by the base.

Description

LARYNGOSCOPE BLADE ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a laryngoscope blade assembly suitable for examining the laryngeal area of a patient.

A known laryngoscope assembly comprises a blade extending from a base which in turn is arranged in the majority of cases to be mounted to a handle to form a laryngoscope device. A curved laryngoscope blade, typically called a Macintosh blade is inserted into the central part of the oral cavity between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis. It is utilised to hold the tongue to one side and expose the larynx of the patient by lifting the tissue above the epiglottis. During intubation of the patient the clinician will insert the laryngoscope blade into the patient's oral cavity with one hand and with the other hand introduce the endotracheal tube for the passage of an anaesthetic gas or other devices. As the laryngoscope blade is taking its operating position, a light guide mounted onto the blade emits light to illuminate the area and facilitate the process. The light source is typically found in the handle.

Aspects of the present invention provide an mproved laryngoscope blade assembly.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is a laryngoscope blade assembly comprising a blade having a longitudinal length extending to a blade tip and a light guide projecting towards the blade tip, the light guide comprising a tip portion having a cross-section transverse to longitudinal length of the blade, wherein the cross-section is defined by a width and a height, the width being less than the height.

A benefit associated with a first aspect of the present invention is significant. When the medical practitioner views down a patient's throat in the direction of the longitudinal length of the blade light guides in known laryngoscope blade assemblies are intrusive to the field of vision at the distal end. Furthermore, when a tracheal tube passes down the patient's throat it may become impeded upon the tip of the light guide and in some circumstances the expandable balloon utilised to retain the tracheal tube in the correct position may catch and become damaged by the distal end of the light guide. By making the width of the light guide less than the height the possibility of the light guide obstructing the tracheal tube or any other instruments such as a camera is reduced.

It is further beneficial that the tip portion extends to a distal end and the width tapers towards the distal end. This is beneficial as any sharp or uneven obstructions are removed or reduced through the tapering which is gTadual. The light guide beneficially comprises a face or surface facing outwardly away from the blade and through tapering of the width this outwardly facing face is much less likely to provide an obstruction.

It is further beneficial that the height grows outwardly towards the distal end.

Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the light guide and the tip portion in particular does not significantly change. This means that by correspondingly increasing or growing the height outwardly towards the distal end the light that is transmitted along the light guide is not significantly diminished.

The light guide beneficially comprises an elongate body extending from a proximal end to the tip portion, and wherein the elongate body is substantially cylindrical. Through providing the elongate body having a substantially cylindrical cross-section transfer of light is optimised to the tip portion.

The laryngoscope blade assembly beneficially further comprises a base arranged to be secured to a handle, and wherein the blade extends from the base. The base may be secured to a handle via a channel extending forwardly from the base towards the tip of the blade which communicates with a bar provided on a handle. There may further be provided one or more engaging formations arranged to seat into a corresponding receiving portion on a handle. The engagement formations may be deformable inwardly during mounting onto the handle and subsequently return to an un-deformed or non-depressed configuration in the assembled position whereby they are received in corresponding receiving portions in the handle.

The light guide beneficially comprises an elongate body extending from a proximal end to the tip portion, a proximal portion of the elongate body being housed in a bore defined in the base, and wherein the proximal portion comprises an engagement formation for engaging with a wall defining the bore such that a majority of the proximal section is spaced apart from the wall defining the bore. It is beneficial that the proximal portion is non-linear and beneficially includes an end portion. Such a configuration is beneficial as the light transmitted through the light guide is maximised and has minimal contact between the light guide and the bore defined in the base. Any contact points between the light guide and the wall of the base defining the bore results in some light being reflected into the base. The provision of an engagement formation for engaging with a wall defining the bore such that a majority of the proximal section is spaced apart from the wall defining the bore minimises the light reflected and maximises the light transferred to the tip portion.

The engagement formation beneficially comprises a projection extending outwardly from the proximal portion arranged to be received in a channel defined in the wall of the bore. The at least one projection beneficially comprises an annular ring. A plurality of longitudinal spaced engagement formations are beneficially provided. The first engagement formation is beneficially adjacent the proximal end, and the second engagement formation is beneficially provided adjacent to the bore opening. The light guide beneficially extends from the bore opening towards the blade tip.

The bore beneficially comprises a first opening and a second opening, wherein the light 20 guide projects from the first opening towards the tip, and wherein a second opening provides a light pathway to the light guide. The first opening and second opening arc beneficially substantially perpendicular to each other.

It is beneficial that the light guide comprises a proximal portion extending from the proximal end. The proximal portion beneficially extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. It is beneficial that the proximal portion preferably includes a bend portion. A blade portion beneficially extends from the proximal portion to the tip portion.

The base portion preferably comprises a front end facing forwardly from the base towards the tip and the rearward end facing away from the tip, and the base is arranged to prevent transmission of light from the base in a reanvard or sideways direction. The base of current laryngoscope assemblies typically comprise a mounting structure and wherein the light guide extends from an upper surface of the base and subsequently bends through approximately 90 degrees to extend towards the tip. A problem faced by a medical practitioner is that when lit light reflects off a patient's teeth meaning that the medical practitioner's view can be obscured by this reflection. Furthermore, the light guide is in the line of sight of the medical practitioner as they are attempting to carry out a delicate operation of inserting an endotracheal tube through the extremely delicate vocal folds. Accordingly, through the provision of the base portion comprising a front end facing forwardly from the base towards the tip and a rearward end facing away from the tip and the base being arranged to prevent transmission of light from the base in a rearward or sideways direction, means that the medical practitioner's view is significantly improved.

The blade typically comprises an upper flange, a lower flange and a web portion intermediate upper flange and lower flange. Preferably, the base comprises a front end facing forwardly towards the tip, a rearward end facing rearward away from the tip, and a first and second side portion, the light guide being partially housed by the base portion, and wherein the rearward and first and second side walls extend to the upper flange to prevent transmission of light from the base in the rearward or a sideways direction.

It will he therefore appreciated that the light guide projects forwardly from the base. As such, viewing from the rearward direction a medical practitioner sees a rearward wall of the base. The rearward wall is uninterrupted to the upper flange meaning that light cannot be transmitted towards a user in use.

The blade beneficially comprises an upper flange, a lower flange and a web portion extending intermediate the upper flange and lower flange, wherein the width is substantially perpendicular to the web portion, and the height is substantially parallel to the web portion. The web portion is beneficially upwardly extending. The upper flange beneficially projects in a first direction from the web portion and the second flange beneficially extends in an opposing second direction away from the web portion.

The web portion beneficially comprises an opening therein for receipt therethrough of the light guide. It is beneficial that the tip portion of the light guide is seated extending through the opening.

It is beneficial that the width begins to taper closer to the bore opening of the base down to the distal end of the tip portion. This means that a majority of the longitudinal length of the light guide as it leaves the base is reducing in width towards the tip.

The tip portion beneficially comprises a side wall arranged to engage with the web portion. A protrusion such as a tab beneficially extends into the opening. The light guide beneficially seats against the protrusion. The light guide is effectively guided through the opening by the protrusion. The side wall of the tip portion beneficially engages with the DI/ protrusion.

The width is beneficially defined between opposing side walls and the height is beneficially defined between opposing end walls.

A further problem associated with known laryngoscope assemblies is that in use light reflects from the light guide off a patient's teeth providing an obstruction for the medical practitioner in attempting to intubate a patient with an endotracheal rube. This gives a significant risk in causing damage to the vocal folds. Furthermore, known laryngoscope assemblies have a disadvantage of the light guide being visible to the medical practitioner in use meaning that when the oral cavity is illuminated light is transmitted rearwardly towards the medical practitioner. A second aspect of the present invention provides an improved arrangement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is a laryngoscope blade assembly comprising: - a base comprising an engagement formation adapted to engage with a handle; a blade extending from the base to a tip, the blade comprising an upper flange, a lower flange and a web portion intermediate the upper flange and the lower flange; - a light guide projecting forwardly from the base towards the tip, wherein the light guide is partially housed by the base; - wherein the base comprises a front end facing forwardly towards the tip and a rearward end facing rearward away from the tip and a first and a second side wall, and wherein the rearward and first and second side walls extend to the upper flange to prevent transmission of light from the base in the rearward or a sideways direction.

The second aspect of the present invention therefore ensures that light is not reflected from a patient's teeth nor is the light guide and in particular light reflected therefrom transmitted rearwardly. By ensuring that the light guide projects forwardly from the base towards the tip and the provision of the rearward and first and second side walls extending to the upper flange transmission of light from the base in the rearward or sideways direction is prevented.

The base preferably comprises a bore defined therein for receipt of the light guide, wherein the bore comprises a bore opening in the front end of the base, and the light guide projects from the bore opening. The shape of the bore and preferably the shape of the bore opening and corresponding light guide are configured such that the peripheral edge of the light guide and the peripheral edge of the base adjacent the bore opening are adjacent but not in contact The wall defining the bore is therefore adjacent but spaced apart from the light guide.

The bore opening beneficially comprises a first bore opening and the bore comprises a second bore opening at an opposing end of the bore. Accordingly, light is transmitted from a light source in a handle to the light guide which then extends through the bore out of the first bore opening.

The second bore opening is beneficially opened downwardly in a direction away from the upper flange.

The light guide beneficially comprises an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a tip portion, a proximal portion of the elongate body being housed in the bore defined in the base, and wherein the proximal portion comprises an engagement formation for engaging with a wall defining the bore such that a majority of the proximal section is spaced apart from the wall defining the bore. It will be appreciated that the proximal portion is non-linear. The proximal portion beneficially includes a bend.

The engagement formation preferably comprises a projection extending outwardly from the proximal portion arranged to be received in a channel defined in the wall of the bore. The at least one projection beneficially comprises an annular ring. A plurality of longitudinally spaced engagement portion formations are beneficially provided. The first engagement formation is preferably adjacent the proximal end, and the second engagement formation is beneficially adjacent the first bore opening.

Aspects of the present invention will now he described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a laryngoscope blade assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a first orientation.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a laryngoscope blade assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a second orientation.

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a laryngoscope blade assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4a. b and c are schematic rearward, side and front views of a laryngoscope blade assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic exploded view of a laryngoscope blade assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a first orientation.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a laryngoscope blade assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an exploded view from a second orientation.

Referring to Figure 1 there is a laryngoscope blade assembly 2 comprising a proximal end 4 comprising a base 6 and a distal end 8 with a spoon shaped leading blade tip 10. The blade comprises an upper flange 12, lower flange 14 and intermediate web 16, wherein the intermediate web 16 is upstanding and the upper flange 12 extends substantially perpendicular away from the intermediate web portion 16 in a first direction and the lower flange having the spoon shaped leading tip 10 extends from the web portion substantially perpendicular relative thereto in a second direction opposite to the first direction of the upper flange 12. The laryngoscope assembly 2 further comprises a light guide 18 extending in the longitudinal length of the blade towards the distal end 8. The light guide 18 comprises a tip portion 20 wherein the cross-sectional area of the tip portion changes as it projects to the distal end of the light guide 22.

As best presented in Figure 1 the base 6 comprises a front end 24 facing forwardly towards the distal end 8 and a rearward end 26 best represented in Figure 4a facing rearward away from the tip. A first and second side portion 28a, 28b are provided. The rearward end 26 and side walls 28a, 28b extend to the upper flange 12 to prevent transmission of light from the base 6 in the rearward or a sideways direction. As such, viewed rearwardly as in Figure 4a, this is the orientation in which the laryngoscope assembly is viewed in use, meaning the light guide 18 is occluded apart from the distal end 22 of the tip portion 20.

This is important as there will he no reflection of light off a patient's teeth adjacent to the base 6 and furthermore the light guide 18 will not be visible until the actual point at which visibility is required, ie the distal end 22. Within the base 6 is a bore 30 as presented in Figure 5 into which the light guide 18 is received and a bore opening 32 is presented as best shown in Figure 1. The bore opening is open towards the distal end 8 of the blade. A second bore opening 34 is provided and a light guide 18 projects through the bore 30 to the second bore opening 34 and as the base 6 engages with a handle (not shown) the second bore opening 34 aligns with a light guide in a handle for transmission of light from the handle into the light guide.

The base 6 is adapted to engage with a handle and presented as a known engagement arrangement including a forwardly open channel 36 which receives a bar provided on a handle. A hinge pin 40 having outwardly biased end portions 42 is located through a channel provided in the base 6 and upon assembly or disassembly the formations 42 are depressed inwardly to a compressed configuration then release outwardly into a corresponding opening provided in the handle and bias to their normal configuration in order to retain the blade assembly secured to the handle.

Referring now to Figure 4 the light guide 18 comprises an elongate body extending from a proximal end to the tip portion 20. The elongate body is substantially cylindrical however tapers towards the distal end 22 of the light guide 18. As shown in Figure 4c the distal end 20 can be clearly shown to have a width which has reduced towards the distal end 22.

Furthermore, the height has increased towards the distal end 22. This is beneficial as the cross-sectional area of the light guide 18 does not significantly change from the proximal end to the distal end 22 and as such the effect on light transmission through the reduction in width is substantially accommodated.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, the light guide 18 is shown in more detail as presented in Figure 6, the width in the axis identified generally by reference numeral 44 is clearly shown to have deceased towards the distal end 22 whereas the height identified in the axis by arrow 46 can he seen to have increased. It will further he appreciated that tapering of the light guide beneficially commences closer to the proximal end 48 of the light guide rather than the distal end 22 and as such the taper is gradual.

As further represented in Figures 5 and 6, in the exemplary embodiment presented the base comprises a cover portion 50 which during assembly is fixed in position to the base after the light guide 18 has been appropriately positioned in the bore 30.

The light guide 18 further comprises at least one engagement formation 52 and preferably comprises two engagement formations 52 for engaging with a wall defining the bore 30 such that a majority of a proximal section of the light guide 18 is spaced apart from the wall defining the bore 30. The engagement formations 52 comprise a projection extending outwardly from the proximal portion and preferably comprise annular rings. The annular rings 52 seat into channels 54 as best presented in Figure 5. This means that the portion of the light guide 18 which is retained within the bore 30 is spaced from the wall defining the bore resulting in a reduction in loss of light along the light guide 18.

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

Claims

CLAIMS1. A laryngoscope blade assembly comprising a blade having a longitudinal length extending to a blade tip and a light guide projecting towards the blade tip, the light guide comprising a tip portion having a cross section transverse to the longitudinal length of the blade, wherein the cross section is defined by a width and a height, the width being less than the height.
2. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 1 wherein the tip portion extends to a distal end and the width tapers towards the distal end.
3 A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 2 wherein the height grows outwardly towards the distal end.
4. A laryngoscope blade assembly wherein the light guide comprises an elongate body extending from a proximal end to the tip portion, and wherein the elongate body is substantially cylindrical.
5. A laryngoscope blade assembly comprising a base arranged to be secured to a handle and wherein the blade extends from the base.
6. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 5, wherein the light guide comprises an elongate body extending from a proximal end to the tip portion, a proximal portion of the elongate body being housed in a bore defined in the base, and wherein the proximal portion comprises an engagement formation for engaging with a wall defining the bore such that a majority of the proximal section is spaced apart from the wall defining the bore.
7. A laryngoscope blade according to claim 6 wherein the engagement formation comprises a projection extending outwardly from the proximal portion arranged to he received in a channel defined in the wall of the bore.
8. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 7 wherein the at least one projection comprises an annular ring.
9. A laryngoscope blade according to any of claims 6-8 comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced engagement formations.
10. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to any of claims 6-9 wherein the bore comprises a first opening and a second opening, wherein the light guide projects from the first opening towards the tip, and wherein the second opening provides a light pathway to the light guide.
11. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to any of claims 5-10 wherein the base portion comprises a front end facing forwardly from the base towards the tip and a rearward end facing away from the tip, and the base is arranged to prevent transmission of light from the base in a rearward or sideways direction.
12. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 11 wherein the blade comprises an upper flange, a lower flange and a web portion intermediate the upper flange and lower flange, and wherein the base comprises a front end facing forwardly towards the tip, a rearward end facing rearward away from the tip, and a first and a second side portion, the light guide being partially housed by the base portion, and wherein the rearward and first and second side walls extend to the upper flange to prevent transmission of light from the base in the rearward or a sideways direction.
13 A laryngoscope blade assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the blade comprises an upper flange. a lower flange and a web portion extending intermediate the upper flange and lower flange, wherein the width is substantially perpendicular to the web portion, and the height is substantially parallel to the web portion.
14. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 13 wherein the web portion comprises an opening therein for receipt therethrough of the light guide.
15. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to any of claims 13-14 wherein the tip portion comprises a sidewall arranged to engage with the web portion.
16. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the width is defined between opposing sidewalls and the height is defined between opposing end walls.
17. A laryngoscope blade assembly comprising: - a base comprising an engagement formation adapted to engage with a handle; - a blade extending from the base to a tip, the blade comprising an upper flange, a lower flange and a web portion intermediate the upper flange and the lower flange; -a light guide projecting forwardly from the base towards the tip, wherein the light guide is partially housed by the base; - wherein the base comprises a front end facing forwardly towards the tip and a rearward end facing rearward away from the tip and a first and a second side wall, and wherein the rearward and first and second side walls extend to the upper flange to prevent transmission of light from the base in the rearward or a sideways direction.
18. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 17 wherein the base comprises a bore defined therein for receipt of the light guide, wherein the bore comprises a bore opening in the front end of the base, and the light guide projects from the bore opening.
19. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 18 wherein the bore opening comprises a first bore opening and the bore comprises a second bore opening at an opposing end of the bore.
20. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 19 wherein the second bore opening is open downwardly in a direction away from the upper flange.
21. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to any of claims 18-20 wherein the light guide comprises an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a tip portion, a proximal portion of the elongate body being housed in the bore defined in the base, and wherein the proximal portion comprises all engagement formation for engaging with a wall defining the hore such that a majority of the proximal section is spaced apart from the wall defining the bore.
22. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 21 wherein the engagement formation comprises a projection extending outwardly from the proximal portion arranged to he received in a channel defined in the wall of the bore.
23. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to claim 22 wherein the at least one projection comprises an annular ring.
24. A laryngoscope blade assembly according to any of claims 22-23 comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced engagement formations.