JPS63189124A - Laryngoscope immersible in liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to examination devices such as laryngoscopes, and more particularly to improved submersible devices of this type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Laryngoscopes generally consist of a blade and a cooperating handle that are joined together in an L-shape. The hollow handle typically acts as a housing for a power source, such as one or more batteries, to power the bulb. Light from the bulb passes to the distal end of the blade and illuminates the patient's mouth and throat and larynx during examination by the physician. To prevent the patient's tongue from interfering with the physician's visual examination of the larynx, one side of the blade is used to press against the patient's tongue and mandible in a supine position.

Although the instrument is useful for examining the larynx, the primary function of the laryngoscope is to expose the larynx to facilitate insertion of the tracheal tube. In such procedures, the surface of the laryngoscope blade adjacent to the handle is pressed against the tongue and mandible to expose the larynx, with the opposite blade surface facing the patient's upper front teeth. put.

It is desirable to provide a reusable blade and handle that must be thoroughly cleaned after use, as secretions from the patient's oral cavity can contaminate the handle. However, cleaning the handle poses the problem of liquid reaching the power source or battery within the hollow handle, such as through one or both ends of the handle. - This is particularly problematic when the bulb is supported at the end of the handle to which the blade is attached, as cleaning fluid can leak through the bulb and into the bundle, causing a malfunction of the bulb circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to provide a hollow handle carrying a power supply, a blade to be inserted into the patient's oral cavity, and a blade that is approximately L-shaped relative to the end of the handle. The improvement consists in providing a solution to the above problems by providing a laryngoscope immersible in a fluid or liquid comprising: (a) a handle at the end of the handle; (b) disposing the light source in an electrically energizing relationship with the power supply and transmitting light to the support by the blade when the blade is attached to the handle; (c) means for directing the light source to the light transmitting device; Oka Elementary School Ha
・J V +171' J! + a first fluid-sealing means that serves 1 sumata (4 lbs) per store.

As will be appreciated, the fluid sealing means typically comprises a tubular resilient body supporting the light source, the light source having a fluid sealing engagement with a bore defined by the resilient body. The handle has a mating handle, and the body has an outer generally tubular surface in fluid-tight engagement with a bore defined by the handle. Further, the light source extends longitudinally within the body with one end facing toward and electrically coupling with the power source and the other end facing the blade when the blade is removably secured to the handle. and an end cap can be attached to the end of the barrel remote from the light source, the cap being connected to the power supply and the one described above. Provides a current flowing through the junction between two terminals. Further, the reflector is integral with the tubular elastic body near the light source. For this reason, it is desirable that the surface of the resilient barrel and the inner bore of the handle have a tightly compressed threaded connection to establish a very tight seal therebetween.

The fluid sealing device also includes a layer of transparent material extending across an area at the end of the handle through which light is transmitted by the light source and reflector; The blades include an elastically compressible material that is compressed by the blades when placed toward each other and toward the power supply.

An end cap may also be removably attached to the end of the handle remote from the blade, and a second fluid seal between the cap and the handle prevents entry of external fluids into the hollow handle. . To this end, the handle and end cap are typically metal and the second fluid seal is a resilient O-ring. The blade itself is typically made of metal and can hold a light bulb/
.

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These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference is made to the drawings, which illustrate a laryngoscope embodying the features of the invention. The device is intended for use by physicians in the examination of the oral cavity and larynx of a patient, and in particular for use in exposing the larynx to facilitate the insertion of an endotracheal tube.

As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 11 and blade 12
A laryngoscope 1O having a laryngoscope 10 is used to depress the patient's tongue and mandible 13. The patient's anterior teeth 14 are often used as a fulcrum for the blade 12 to better expose the patient's larynx during laryngeal examination and tracheal tube insertion.

One form of means used to couple blade 11 to handle 12 is shown in FIGS. 2-6. As shown in the figure, the upper end of the blade 11 has an open rotary flange 15 which is provided with a pivot rod 16 extending between flanges 17. Inside one flange is one of the boot-like appendages 22 on the blade.
Spring biased detent 20 protruding on two sides 18
There is a groove or recess 19 for positioning.

This boot-shaped appendage 22 fits within the open channel 15 and is pivotally attached thereto.

The front end 23 of the boot-shaped appendage 22 is hooked under the pivot rod 16 during its pivoting condition in a known manner. To attach the blade to the handle 12,
The boot-shaped appendage 22 of the handle 12 is pivoted into the open channel 15 so that the front toothing 23 pivots below the pivot rod 16, i.e. from the position of FIG.
It will be in the state shown in the figure. The detent 20 moves into engagement with a groove 19 provided in the surface 18, thereby causing the attachment to move when the blade is moved from the ready position as shown in FIG. 3 to the locked position shown in FIG. 22 are resiliently held in a tight fit with each other relative to the channel and pivot rod 16.

Preferably, an illuminated switch or contact 24 is provided at the bottom of the channel 15 such that it is energized only when the handle 12 is rotated and secured in the operative position. A light source 25, such as an incandescent lamp, is provided near the channel 15 and is energized when the lighting switch 24 is actuated. As shown in FIG. 3, when the handle 12 is first installed on the blade II, the blade 11 is in the ready position on the handle 12, but the bottom portion 26 of the attachment 22 does not energize the light switch. , that is, it does not engage with this. Handle 1
2 further engages the detent 20 with the groove 19, thereby fixing the handle 12 in the operative position, and at the same time engages the metal bottom part 26 with the lighting switch 24, i.e. energizes it; Therefore, the light source 25 is further energized. A wire 50 extends from the switch 24 to the light bulb, and the wire may be a light bulb terminal wire whose end defines the switch 24. Please refer to FIG.

As best shown in FIGS. 2-4, when the laryngoscope is used, light is directed from light source 25 to ensure proper illumination of the patient's oral cavity and larynx. A light source or bulb 25 is supported by the blade and illuminates forwardly from the side 32 of the blade when the handle 12 is rotated to its final operative position, not only is the switch 24 engaged, but the energized bulb 25. The light emitting end 28b is directed toward
The bottom wall 1 of the channel 15 is configured to direct the light towards the end 28a of the light vibe or duct 28 which guides the light up to
It is located at 5a. Duct 28 may be an optical fiber.

The upper portion 31 contacts the patient's teeth 14, while the lower portion 30 of the handle 12, which is in contact with the patient's tongue and mandible 13, must be rigid. The surface 31 in contact with the patient's teeth 14 is connected to the handle 12 by a wall or side surface 32.
is supported against a rigid portion 30 of. The duct 28 is protectively received in a metal channel extending along the sides 32.

The handle 12, which is typically metal, is connected to one or more battery packs 5 that provide electrical energy to the light source.
4 (see Fig. 6) An internal cavity 11a for holding the
has. The handle includes a tubular body 34 having a reduced diameter end 35 and an opposite end 36 . Exposed contact point 2
4 is preferably formed at the end of the bulb terminal conductor located at the end 35 of the handle. The metal surface 26 of the blade connects to the contact point 24 of the blade in the position shown in FIG.
When engaged, the bulb is electrically energized.

Also, regardless of whether the blade is attached to the handle or not, and when the handle is immersed in fluid, such as during cleaning, the bulb and handle are used to prevent outside fluids from entering the hollow handle. A first fluid sealing device is provided that is disposed between. As shown, the first fluid-sealing device has a tubular elastic body 55 for holding a light bulb, and the light bulb is in fluid tight contact with the inner hole 56 defined by the elastic body 55 in the handle portion 25a. The barrel also has an outer generally tubular surface 57 in fluid tight contact with the inner bore 58 defined by the handle. Surface 57 and inner hole 5
8 is preferably threaded and in a tight compression engagement to form a good fluid seal. As shown, an elliptical reflector 90 is provided on the body 55 to reflect light from the bulb to 28a and provide a recess for the bulb.

The bulb and reflector are covered by a transparent window 109 to seal them from the outside and provide a sealed beam arrangement.

Also shown is an end cover 59 attached to the end 61 of the body remote from the terminal 24 by screws 6θ, etc., and this cover is used to connect the power supply and the pin through which current flows. I will provide a. The terminal 62 of the dry battery is engaged with a metal conductive lid 59, which is supported by an insulating body 57.

The head 55b of the body 55 is enlarged to provide a sturdy support for the bulb 25 and a small diameter portion 55c of the body supporting the lid 59, and a highly elastic handle 55c imposes pressure on the battery 54. It can withstand the load.

An annular end cap 68 is removably attached to the end 36 of the handle remote from the blade, and a second fluid seal is provided between the cap and the handle to secure the end 36.
Prevents the entry of external fluids into the hollow handle through the handle. To this end, the cap may have a threaded attachment 69 to the handle, and the cap and handle are typically made of metal. The second fluid seal consists of a highly resilient O-ring 70 compressed between the cap flange 68a and the handle end 71. A coil spring 72 connects the cap 68 and one battery 54.
and the end 73 of the ground to ensure grounding.

A second terminal wire 52 of the bulb extends within the body 55 toward the power source and electrically couples with the conductive metal end cap when the blade is secured to the handle. At this time, current flows from the battery 54 to the terminal wire 52 of the lid 59.
It flows through to the light bulb wiring 81, and then to the terminal wire 5.
0, through the metal blade and handle, and conductive spring 72 to the base 73 of the battery. Electric wire 50
Note that it is pressed firmly within channel 50c by body 55'b to maintain a seal.

After use, the blade is removed from the handle by simply rotating the handle 12 relative to the blade 11 and then pushing the handle 12 upwardly to release or remove the forward end 26 of the appendage 22 from the pivot rod 16. .

The blade, which is made of metal, can be sterilized and used again, just like the handle.

Next, according to FIG. 9, elements similar to those in FIGS. 6 and 7 are given the same reference numbers. When the blade is attached to the handle and displaces the light source and reflector 90 with respect to the power supply, means are provided for placing the light sources 25 and 81 in an electrically energized open collar with the power supply, such as 54. There is. In the exemplary embodiment, such means may be considered to include a bulb terminal wire 52 extending to a metal end cap or contact 59. When the blade appendage 22 transmits a force in the direction of arrow 150 through the sheet 109 to the annular lip or bead 90a of the reflector, the reflector, bulb and lid 5° are deflected by a distance Δ. the battery 54, causing the contacts 59 to engage with the contacts of the battery. Therefore, the circuit as described above is established to energize the electric wire 8I of the light bulb. Note also that the second terminal wire 50 associated with the bulb may make ground contact with the handle, such as at 151.

Deformable resilient body 55 typically urges the reflector and blade away from the battery to maintain an air gap Δ between contacts 59 and 62. Battery 54 is shown engaged with locating projection 152 associated with the handle. Alternatively, contacts 59,62 may be engaged and simply engage the handle to secure the energizing circuit when barrel 55 is pushed toward the battery as described above.

A transparent strip 109 forms an annular shape around the lip or bead 9 of the reflector.
0a, the handle is sealed through the reflector of the bulb, regardless of whether the blade is attached to the handle or not, and regardless of whether the handle is immersed in a fluid, such as during cleaning. Always prevent fluids such as water from entering the interior of the device. Note also that the annular handle 90b of the reflector positions the handle 25a of the bulb. The transparent sheet 109 is made of polycarbonate, for example,
End 2 of optical light conduit 28 by bulb and reflector
8a extends across the area where the light is directed.

The structure of FIG. 10 is similar, but the fluid seal extends annularly around the lip or bead 9Qa of the reflector and is sealingly attached to the end of the handle at 181 as shown. Includes an elastically compressible material 180. A transparent strip 109a extends across the end of the reflector as before and is sealingly attached at 182 to the elastic material 180. The compression spring 183 is the lip 90
a and protrusion 184 to resist inward deflection of the reflector and bulb. Blade attachment 22 is in direction 18
5, its end 26 engages the strip 109a, and when the reflector, bulb part and contacts 59 are displaced to form the circuit as before, the material 180 is at the end of the blade. The movement of the portion 22 is damped.

FIG. 11 shows the first embodiment, except that in this case the elastic material 180a is in compression and transmits an acting force from the blade appendage 22 to the reflector, deflecting the reflector by an amount Δ.
It is similar to the θ diagram. The transparent strips or sheets 109a and 109a' have openings 186 in the material that transmit light from the bulb 25 and reflector 90 to the light guide conduit 28.
It extends across. These strips are sealingly attached to opposite sides of the material 180a as shown, and the material 180a is annularly sealed at 181 to the handle end! I'm at t.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described herein with respect to a laryngoscope, it is clear that the improved means for joining the blade and handle in an L-shaped configuration can be used in other examination tools.

Many modifications and improvements to the invention are possible without departing from the inventive concept.

One variation is to make the blade from molded plastic (e.g., by centrifugal molding) with a metal coating (e.g., by centrifugal molding), particularly in the area where the blade contacts the conductor 24 and the metal pivot pin 16, with a conductive state therebetween. It is to ensure that

Element 70 may be a rubber washer.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a side view showing a laryngoscope ready for use on a patient embodying the features of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the blade of the laryngoscope shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the laryngoscope with the blade in the usable position; FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the laryngoscope with the blade in the operating position;
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 shown in FIG. 4, FIG. -8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 1O are partial views similar to FIG. 7 showing one modification, and FIG. 11 is another partial view showing yet another modification. ... Laryngoscope, 11... Bundle, 12-... Blade, 13-... Patient's tongue and mandible, 14...
- Teeth, 15--Opening channel, 16--Pivot rod, 17--Flange, 18--Side surface, 19--
Recessed portion, 20--detent, 22--boot-shaped appendage, 23--front tooth section, 24--lighting switch, 25--
... light source, 26 ... bottom part, 28 ... light guide tube' path,
32...Blade side part, 34...Tubular body part, 35
...Small diameter end, 36...Opposite end, 50...Electric wire, 52...Terminal wire, 54...Battery device, 55...Elastic body, 56...Inner hole , 57... Tubular surface, 59... End cover body, 60... Screw, 62...
...Terminal, 68...End cap, 69-...
For installation, 70-0-ring, 71... Hantnir end, 72-... coil spring, 73... battery base,
90...Reflector, 109...Transparent sheet.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A hollow handle containing a power supply device, a blade portion that can be inserted into the oral cavity of a patient, and a blade portion that can be removed from the end of the handle in a generally L-shape. (a) a reflector supported at the end of the handle for movement relative to the handle and a power supply; a light source; (b) placing the light source in electrically biasing relationship with the power supply when the blade is attached to the handle to displace the light source relative to the power supply; (c) whether the blade is attached to the handle and whether the handle is immersed in a fluid; Nevertheless, the laryngoscope is characterized in that it is provided with a fluid sealing device that prevents external fluid from entering into the hollow handle near the light source and the reflector. 2. The fluid sealing device extends to be contacted by the blade at the end of the handle when the blade is attached to the handle. laryngoscope. 3. The fluid sealing device includes an elastically compressible material that is compressed by the blade when the light source is displaced relative to the power supply device. Laryngoscope as described in section. 4. The laryngoscope of claim 3, wherein said material extends around a light-transparent area at said end of said handle. 5. The larynx of claim 2, wherein the fluid sealing device includes a layer of transparent material extending across the area through which light is transmitted by the light source at the end of the handle. mirror. 6. The fluid sealing device includes a tubular elastic body extending around and supporting the light source and the reflector to produce the movement. The laryngoscope described. 7. A compression spring is provided which presses the reflector and the light source against each other in a direction away from the power supply device and which is compressed when the light device and the reflector are displaced by the blade. The laryngoscope described in scope 1. 8. The fluid sealing device includes a tubular resilient body supporting the light source, the light source having a handle in fluid-tight engagement with a bore defined by the resilient body; 2. The laryngoscope of claim 1, wherein said barrel has an outer generally annular surface in fluid-tight engagement with a lumen defined by said handle. 9. The device according to claim 1 (b) has two terminals coupled to the light source, one of the terminals being electrically coupled to the power supply. extending longitudinally within the barrel, the other terminal being adapted to secure electrical coupling towards the blade when the blade is removably secured to the handle. The laryngoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that it is elongated. 10. an end cap removably attached to the end of the handle remote from the blade; and a second fluid seal between the cap and the handle to prevent entry of external fluids into the hollow handle. The laryngoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a locking device. 11. The laryngoscope according to claim 10, wherein the handle and the cap are made of metal, and the second fluid sealing device is a highly elastic O-ring. 12. The fluid sealing device includes a tubular resilient body supporting the light source, the light source having a handle in fluid-tight engagement with a bore defined by the resilient body; 2. The laryngoscope of claim 1, wherein said barrel has an outer generally annular surface in fluid-tight engagement with a lumen defined by said handle. 13. The light source has two terminals, one of which extends longitudinally within the body so as to be electrically coupled to the power source, and the other of the terminals extends longitudinally within the body to electrically couple with the power source. 2. The laryngoscope of claim 1, wherein the blade extends towards the handle to ensure electrical connection thereto when the blade is removably fixed to the handle. 14. providing an end cap attached to an end of the barrel remote from the light source, the cap providing a current-carrying connection between the power source and the one terminal; The laryngoscope according to claim 12, characterized in that: 15. The laryngoscope according to claim 12, wherein the surface of the barrel and the inner hole of the handle have a threaded connection. 16. an end cap removably attached to the end of the handle remote from the blade; and a second fluid between the cap and the handle to prevent entry of external fluid into the hollow handle. The laryngoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing device. 17. The laryngoscope according to claim 16, wherein the handle and the cap are made of metal, and the second fluid sealing device is a highly elastic O-ring. 18. The light transmission device supported by the blade includes an optical fiber light guide having a terminal for receiving light from the light source.
Laryngoscope as described in section. 19. the handle is made of metal, and the blade is formed at least in part from molded plastic;
17. Laryngoscope according to claim 16, characterized in that it has a metal coating. 20. The device according to claim 1 (b) has two terminals, one of which extends towards a switch electrically coupled to the power source; A larynx according to claim 1, characterized in that the other terminal extends towards an electrical connection with the handle, which is made of metal.