WO2009130666A1

WO2009130666A1 - Laryngoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2009130666A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/051634
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrich Lorenzen; Donovan Dean Martin
Original assignee: Elges Ernst Lehnert Ges.M.B.H
Priority date: 2008-04-21
Filing date: 2009-04-21
Publication date: 2009-10-29

Abstract

The invention relates to a laryngoscope including a handle (16), a light source (14) a power supply means (18) for supplying electrical power to the light source and a blade carried by the handle and extending generally transversely relative thereto and automatic switching means for controlling the supply of power to the light source wherein the switching means includes actuating means in the form of a capacitive sensor (32) having a sensing region (36) for detecting a user?s hand within a predetermined proximity thereto and then automatically actuating the switching means. The laryngoscope also includes detector means operable to detect the remaining level of power of the power supply means in which the detector means is connected to an indicator means (38) for notifying a user of the level of remaining power of the power supply means, wherein the detector means may be actuated by an automatic switching means.

Description

LARYNGOSCOPE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a laryngoscope and the term is intended in this specification to include medical equipment which is typically used for examination of the mouth or general throat region of a patient and which generally comprises a handle having a transversely extending blade or spatula for manipulating a patient's tongue.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Equipment employed in the medical industry and which takes the general form of a laryngoscope usually comprises a handle component for housing one or more batteries intended to energise a light source and from which a blade or spatula extends. There are, however, difficulties associated with known laryngoscopes. Most laryngoscopes incorporate manually operable "on/off" switching mechanisms, which are usually integrated with the handle thereof. Generally, the user is required to manually flick the switch into an "on" or an "off" position using a hand, or more particularly a thumb or finger. The need to manually operate the switching mechanism is clumsy and may also introduce problems associated with sterilisation of the equipment as a result of saliva and other substances penetrating the cavity of the switching mechanism.

A further difficulty associated with known laryngoscopes is that there is currently no way of visibly monitoring the lifespan or status of the batteries. Accordingly, the batteries may run flat whilst the laryngoscope is in use.

It is an object of the invention to ameliorate the difficulties associated with known laryngoscopes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided a laryngoscope comprising:

a handle;

a light source carried by the handle;

power supply means for supplying electrical power to the light source;

a blade carried by the handle and extending generally transversely relative to the handle; switching means actuable to control the supply of electrical power to the light source; and

actuator means for actuating the switching means;

wherein the actuator means includes sensor means for operatively detecting a body within a predetermined proximity thereto, whereupon the actuator means is operable to automatically actuate the switching means.

The handle may be manufactured from a moulded plastics material which is contoured to form a grip.

The actuator means may be housed within the handle.

The sensor means may comprise a capacitive sensor of the type including a flexi- circuit component having a sensing region for operatively detecting a body within a predetermined degree of proximity thereto.

The flexi-circuit component may be disposed in a generally vertical arrangement along the length of an interior surface of the handle wherein the sensing region is located near a lower region of the handle.

The body may include a user's hand or a part thereof.

The degree of proximity may include direct contact with the handle wherein the sensing region of the capacitive sensor is housed or close proximity thereto.

The actuator means may be controlled by means of a microprocessor component housed within the handle.

The microprocessor may be of a programmable type and may be programmed to operatively direct the actuator means to continue actuating the switching means for a predefined period of time after the body is no longer within the predetermined degree of proximity to the sensor means.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a laryngoscope comprising:

a handle;

a blade carried by the handle;

a light source carried by the handle;

portable power supply means for supplying power to the light source;

detector means actuable to detect the remaining power of the portable power supply means;

switching means operable to actuate the detector means; and

indicator means for notifying a user of the remaining power;

wherein the indicator means is actuable by the detector means to notify a user when a predetermined threshold of power is detected by the detector means, in use.

The portable power supply means may comprise one or more batteries.

The detector means may comprise a resistive voltage divider component attached to the power supply means and coupled to a microprocessor component.

The switching means may include an automatic actuator means wherein the actuator means includes sensor means for operatively detecting a body within a predetermined proximity thereto, whereupon the actuator means is operable to automatically actuate the switching means.

The indicator means may include a light emitting diode (LED) which may be embedded within the handle.

The indication of the remaining power of the power supply may include intermittent flashing of the LED occurring at predetermined intervals.

The predetermined intervals of the flashing of the LED may differ to indicate differing levels of remaining power of the portable power supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention are described hereinafter by way of a non-limiting example of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawings. In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a sectional side view of the laryngoscope of the invention wherein the path of light from the light source through the blade is shown;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the laryngoscope illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detail view of the sensor means housed within the handle and disposed towards a lower region thereof.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the laryngoscope illustrated in Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detail view of an upper part of the laryngoscope handle showing the indicator means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings, a laryngoscope in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by numeral (10). The laryngoscope is of the type generally comprising a handle (12) a light source (14) carried by the handle at an upper end thereof a blade (16) carried by the handle and a power supply, in the form of one or more batteries (18), for supplying electrical power to the light source.

The handle is hollow and comprises two injection moulded parts configured to form a grip. The light source has an axis extending in the general direction in which light rays (20) emitted thereby travel in operation and is disposed at an upper end of the handle. The blade, having a distal and a proximal end and which is preferably removable and replaceable, is carried by the handle near an upper end thereof and extends transversely relative thereto.

The blade is injection moulded in a transparent and preferably colourless material and is generally manufactured from an optical grade acrylic material in order that light emitted by the light source will be conducted down the blade. The blade, which is generally arcuate, as shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 4, has a channel for guiding endotracheal tube for insertion down a patient's throat. The blade includes two light emitting windows (22) which are transversely disposed relative to the blade, for directing light emitted by the light source along the length of the blade. One such window is disposed the distal end of the blade and the other is formed towards the proximal end thereof.

The light source generally takes the form of a power light emitting diode (LED) of the type that emits a cooler white or blue light. Power LEDs are particularly suited for use with a laryngoscope due to their being significantly brighter than the types of light bulbs conventionally used in laryngoscope applications, such as xenon bulbs. Furthermore, the light emission angle of a power LED is about 160 degrees compared to light bulbs conventionally used with laryngoscopes which have a light emission angle of about 15 degrees.

The light source is directed at a light receiving face (24) formed at an inner end of the laryngoscope blade and which is orientated at substantially right angles to the length of the blade, the purpose of which is to channel the light into and down the blade. As a result of the relatively wide light emission angle of the LED bulb, a light focusing lens (26) is interposed between the LED bulb and the light receiving face in order to channel the light rays to a more parallel relationship relative to the light bulb axis. The lens is generally a short, cylindrical body of translucent material which may include a generally conical, rearwardly extending light guiding extension member (28) for gathering and focusing light emitted by the light source towards the light receiving face. The lens is made from an acrylic plastics material which is able to gather light emitted by the light bulb and deflect it in the general direction of the light receiving face.

The laryngoscope includes a switching mechanism (30) for controlling the supply of electrical power to the light bulb. The switching mechanism includes an actuator means which includes a sensor means in the form of a capacitive sensor (32) which is able to detect the presence of a user's hand, or part thereof, within a predetermined degree of proximity thereto. The capacitive sensor is housed within the handle and comprises a flexi-circuit component (34) having a sensing region (36). As is shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 4 of the drawings, the flexi-circuit is vertically disposed along an inner surface of the handle wherein the sensing region (36) is disposed towards a lower end thereof where it can be easily activated by a user's hand or fingers coming into contact with the lower handle. The predetermined degree of proximity may also include simply picking the laryngoscope device up in which case the light source would automatically be switched on. The actuator means is controlled by means of a microprocessor component which is also housed within the handle. The microprocessor is programmable and, in particular, may be programmed to cause the actuator means to continue actuating the switching mechanism for a predetermined period of time once the user's hand or fingers have released the handle or are no longer within the predetermined degree of proximity thereto. Accordingly, the user is able to change the position of his hand as required during a procedure without the risk of the light source being switched off.

A further feature of the invention includes indicator means for indicating to a user the remaining power of the portable power supply, which would generally comprise batteries. The indicator means is actuable by a detector means which is able to detect the power level of the batteries.

The detector means may comprise a resistive voltage divider network component coupled to a microprocessor unit. The resistive divider network is attached to the batteries and is connected to the microprocessor which in turn is connected to the indicator means. The indicator means may be in the form of a light emitting diode (38) embedded within the handle of the laryngoscope. When the voltage of the batteries reaches a certain predetermined threshold, a microprocessor component will actuate the indicator means to give an indication in the form of intermittent flashing occurring at predetermined intervals to notify the user that the batteries are running low and will need to be replaced or recharged in the case of rechargeable batteries. The microprocessor may also be configured such that different predetermined intervals of flashing indicate longer or a shorter ranges of remaining lifespan respectively. In this way, the user is able to avoid a situation where the batteries may die while the laryngoscope is in use.

Switching means are operable to actuate the detector means. The switching means may be housed within the handle and may include automatic sensor means which senses proximity to the handle either of a hand or part of a hand of a user and which then actuates the detector means. The automatic sensor means may be in the form of a capacitive sensor comprising a flexi-circuit component having a sensing region. The flexi-circuit would generally be disposed in a vertical arrangement along the inner surface of the handle wherein the sensing region is disposed towards a lower end thereof and where it can be easily activated.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A laryngoscope (10) comprising:

a handle (12);

a light source (14) carried by the handle;

power supply means (18) for supplying electrical power to the light source;

a blade (16) carried by the handle and extending generally transversely relative to the handle;

switching means (30) actuable to control the supply of electrical power to the light source; and

actuator means for actuating the switching means;

2. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handle (12) is manufactured from a moulded plastics material which is contoured to form a grip.

3. A laryngoscope (10) as claimed in any one of the claims 1 and 2 wherein the actuator means is housed within the handle (12).

4. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the sensor means comprises a capacitive sensor (32) of the type including a flexi-circuit component (34) having a sensing region (36) for operatively detecting a body within a predetermined degree of proximity thereto.

5. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 4 wherein the flexi-circuit component (34) is disposed in a generally vertical arrangement along the length of an interior surface of the handle (12) wherein the sensing region (36) is located near a lower region of the handle.

6. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the body includes a user's hand, or part thereof.

7. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the predetermined degree of proximity includes direct contact with the handle wherein the sensing region (36) of the capacitive sensor is housed or close proximity thereto.

8. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the sensor means in controlled by a microprocessor component housed within the handle.

9. A laryngoscope in as claimed in claim 8 in which the microprocessor component is of a programmable type and is programmed to operatively direct the actuator means to continue actuating the switching means for a predefined period of time after the body is no longer within the predetermined degree of proximity to the sensor means.

10. A laryngoscope (10) comprising:

a handle (12);

a blade (16) carried by the handle;

a light source (14) carried by the handle;

portable power supply means (18) for supplying power to the light source;

switching means operable to actuate the detector means; and

indicator means (38) for notifying a user of the remaining power;

1 1. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 10 wherein the portable power supply means comprises one or more batteries.

12. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 10 and 1 1 wherein the detector means comprises a resistive voltage divider component attached to the power supply means and coupled to a microprocessor component.

13. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12 in which the switching means includes an automatic actuator means wherein the actuator means includes sensor means for operatively detecting a body within a predetermined proximity thereto, whereupon the actuator means is operable to automatically actuate the switching means.

14. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 in which the indicator means includes a light emitting diode (LED) which is embedded within the handle.

15. A laryngoscope as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 in which notification of the remaining power supply includes intermittent flashing of the LED occurring at predetermined intervals.

16. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 15 in which the predetermined intervals of the flashing of the LED may differ to indicate differing levels of remaining power of the portable power supply.