WO1999029228A1 - Multi-angle viewing fibreoptic laryngoscope - Google Patents

Multi-angle viewing fibreoptic laryngoscope Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999029228A1
WO1999029228A1 PCT/GB1998/000600 GB9800600W WO9929228A1 WO 1999029228 A1 WO1999029228 A1 WO 1999029228A1 GB 9800600 W GB9800600 W GB 9800600W WO 9929228 A1 WO9929228 A1 WO 9929228A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flexible pipe
laryngoscope
tip
blade
handle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/000600
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Parampalam Vikneswari
Original Assignee
Young, Navaneswary
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Young, Navaneswary filed Critical Young, Navaneswary
Priority to AU17410/99A priority Critical patent/AU1741099A/en
Publication of WO1999029228A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999029228A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/267—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/005—Flexible endoscopes
    • A61B1/0051—Flexible endoscopes with controlled bending of insertion part
    • A61B1/0052—Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a medical instrument called laryngoscope, and more particularly to a laryngoscope which lifts the epiglottis to expose the glottic opening of a patient and simultaneously allowing better view of the larynx through a fibreoptic viewing means. Furthermore, a tracheal guide can be inserted via the insertion tube and "railroad" technique is used for intubation of the trachea.
  • any conventional laryngoscope can be used to lift the epiglottis of the patient.
  • flexible fibre optic is used normally. This method is quite tedious and requires 2 to 3 medical professionals.
  • Another method that can be used is with the apparatus as seen in US patent No. 5,279,281. According to this invention the apparatus is fed into the trachea without lifting the epiglottis. Inserting the tube by viewing through an eyepiece can be tricky.
  • this apparatus can be used but again it would require viewing through the eyepiece to insert the tube instead of just lifting the epiglottis using an ordinary laryngoscope and inserting a endotracheal tube by viewing directly the glottic opening.
  • An object of the invention is to enable quick and efficient means for viewing the larynx of a patient for both easy and complicated cases by using the same apparatus.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a laryngoscope that allows better viewing of the area of the projected path and also better view of the larynx and the trachea section.
  • Yet a further object of the invention is to provide easier means for inserting the tracheal guide into the trachea.
  • the present invention relates to a multi-angle viewing-fibreoptic laryngoscope comprising; a handle which is of hollow cylindrical tube to house the flexible pipe control means and the upper section of the flexible pipe therein; a blade attached to the bottom end of the handle; the said blade is shaped to elevate the epiglottis and to expose the glottic opening of the patient; said flexible pipe extending from the handle to the blade; characterised in that; said flexible pipe comprise of a viewing means, lighting means and an insertion tube; an eyepiece at the top end of the handle while the other end of the flexible pipe moves at various angles and spaced apart from the tip of the blade, a light source is separately fed through the lighting port to brighten the pathway.
  • a specific embodiment of the laryngoscope is the flexible pipe wherein the movements at the tip of said scope is controlled by mechanical means.
  • Figure 1 shows a Laryngoscope according to-the present invention.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the cross section of the apparatus showing the flexible tube where the said tube comprises a fibre optic viewing means, fibre optic lighting means and an insertion tube.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the working mechanism of the control means of the said laryngoscope.
  • Figure 3a shows an exploded view of the chain and sprocket of the control means.
  • Figure 4 illustrates the use of a typical laryngoscope or one according to the invention for a straightforward case.
  • Figures 5a & 5b show the use of a conventional laryngoscope and one ac according to the invention in a complicated case respectively.
  • Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the diagrams of the present invention, showing the apparatus (1) which has a handle (2) with a blade (3) attached at the bottom end of the handle (2) somewhat like the conventional laryngoscope wherein the improvement consist of a flexible pipe (4) that is comprised of two fibreoptic bundles (4a, 4b) that functions as viewing and lighting means respectively and an insertion tube (4c) for inserting the tracheal guide into the trachea (22) and for suction and supplying gas.
  • the said flexible pipe (4) extends from the inner section of the handle (2) and continues along the blade (3) and spaced apart near the tip of the blade (3) .
  • the said flexible pipe near the tip of the blade (3) has mobility in vertical and horizontal planes i.e. up/down and left/right movements respectively. These movements are controlled by two knobs (8,9) respectively. These knobs (8,9) are mounted on the handle (2) of the laryngoscope (1). It is a preferred embodiment that these knobs (8,9) are placed towards the right side so that when a medical professional uses this instrument on a patient, he would be able to hold the handle (2) to move the laryngoscope blade (3) with his left hand and move the flexible pipe accordingly for viewing the larynx of the patient clearly with his right hand.
  • the insertion tube extends from port (7) to the tip of the flexible pipe while the fibreoptic bundle for lighting means extends from port (6) to the tip of said pipe.
  • the fibre optic bundle (4a) for the purpose of viewing the glottic opening of the patient is fitted with a magnifying lens (12a) placed in front of the tip (14) of the said bundle so that the image to be viewed is magnified for clarity. Due to the properties of fibre optic the image can be viewed at the other end that is at the eyepiece. Another magnifying lens (12) is also placed at this end for providing an image at the correct alignment. For the purpose of viewing the image better a camera is placed on the eyepiece (5) , to have the image shown on a monitor.
  • the said fibre optic bundle has tens of thousands of fibres bunched together so there is a possibility that light might "leak" from one fibre to others which will distort the image.
  • fibres are coated with glass of low refractive index.
  • fibre optic bundle (4b) running along the flexible pipe. This is for the purpose of providing light at the tip of the flexible pipe through an external lighting means to be connected at the lighting port (6) .
  • An insertion tube (4c) also runs adjacent to the fibre optic bundles (4a, 4b) in the flexible pipe. This is for the purpose of threading a tracheal guide to the trachea once the area has been located by viewing through the said fibre optic bundle.
  • the insertion tube (4c) is placed adjacent to the fibre optic bundles. The fibre optic bundle and the insertion tube are housed together in the flexible pipe.
  • FIG 3 shows the working principle of how the tip of the flexible pipe moves using mechanical means according to the present embodiment.
  • Each of the said knob (8,9) is connected to a sprocket (16a, 16b).
  • Chains (18a, 18b) are placed along the sprockets (16a, 16b) as shown in figure 3a.
  • the chains are connected to angular wires (17a, 17b) .
  • the angular wires (17a, 17b) are extended till the tip of the flexible pipe.
  • Electrical or electronic technology can also be used as the control means.
  • Figure 4 shows the use of a laryngoscope (21) in a straightforward case.
  • the said laryngoscope can be either of conventional type or one according to the present invention.
  • the blade of the said apparatus is used to lift the epiglottis (20) like any conventional scope to allow the medical professional to view (23a) the larynx of the patient.
  • Figure 5a shows the use of a conventional laryngoscope in a complicated case where by lifting the epiglottis (20) it is not possible to view the larynx. Even with the stationary viewing means it is still not possible to view the larynx since the viewing angle (23b) does not include the larynx.
  • Figure 5b illustrates how the apparatus of the invention is advantageous over the conventional scopes. The tip of the flexible pipe (14) can be moved at an angle to view (23c) the larynx of the patient.

Abstract

The laryngoscope (1) of the present invention can be used in complicated as well as straight forward cases where the said laryngoscope (1) comprises: a handle (2) which is of hollow cylindrical tube to house the flexible pipe control means and the upper section of the flexible pipe therein; a blade (3) attached to the bottom end of the handle; the said blade is shaped to elevate the epiglottis and to expose the glottic opening of the patient; said flexible pipe (4) extending from the handle to the blade; characterised in that said flexible pipe is comprised of a viewing means (4a), lighting means (4b) and an insertion tube (4c). There is an eyepiece (5) at the top end of the handle. The other end of the flexible pipe can be moved at up/down and left/right directions. The tip of the flexible pipe is spaced apart from the blade, a light source is separately fed through the lighting portion (6) to brighten the pathway. The insertion tube is used for threading a tracheal guide through it.

Description

MULTI-ANGLE VIEWING FIBREOPTIC LARYNGOSCOPE
Field Of Invention.
This invention relates to a medical instrument called laryngoscope, and more particularly to a laryngoscope which lifts the epiglottis to expose the glottic opening of a patient and simultaneously allowing better view of the larynx through a fibreoptic viewing means. Furthermore, a tracheal guide can be inserted via the insertion tube and "railroad" technique is used for intubation of the trachea.
Background Of The Invention.
Presently, to view into the larynx of a patient with no complications, any conventional laryngoscope can be used to lift the epiglottis of the patient. For a complicated case where the larynx is at the anterior or if the patient has a stiff neck and is unable to extend the neck due to stiffness or fractures caused by an accident, flexible fibre optic is used normally. This method is quite tedious and requires 2 to 3 medical professionals. Another method that can be used is with the apparatus as seen in US patent No. 5,279,281. According to this invention the apparatus is fed into the trachea without lifting the epiglottis. Inserting the tube by viewing through an eyepiece can be tricky. Therefore when it comes to straightforward cases, this apparatus can be used but again it would require viewing through the eyepiece to insert the tube instead of just lifting the epiglottis using an ordinary laryngoscope and inserting a endotracheal tube by viewing directly the glottic opening.
An object of the invention is to enable quick and efficient means for viewing the larynx of a patient for both easy and complicated cases by using the same apparatus. Another object of the invention is to provide a laryngoscope that allows better viewing of the area of the projected path and also better view of the larynx and the trachea section.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide easier means for inserting the tracheal guide into the trachea.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
Summary Of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-angle viewing-fibreoptic laryngoscope comprising; a handle which is of hollow cylindrical tube to house the flexible pipe control means and the upper section of the flexible pipe therein; a blade attached to the bottom end of the handle; the said blade is shaped to elevate the epiglottis and to expose the glottic opening of the patient; said flexible pipe extending from the handle to the blade; characterised in that; said flexible pipe comprise of a viewing means, lighting means and an insertion tube; an eyepiece at the top end of the handle while the other end of the flexible pipe moves at various angles and spaced apart from the tip of the blade, a light source is separately fed through the lighting port to brighten the pathway.
A specific embodiment of the laryngoscope is the flexible pipe wherein the movements at the tip of said scope is controlled by mechanical means.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows a Laryngoscope according to-the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates the cross section of the apparatus showing the flexible tube where the said tube comprises a fibre optic viewing means, fibre optic lighting means and an insertion tube.
Figure 3 illustrates the working mechanism of the control means of the said laryngoscope.
Figure 3a shows an exploded view of the chain and sprocket of the control means.
Figure 4 illustrates the use of a typical laryngoscope or one according to the invention for a straightforward case.
Figures 5a & 5b show the use of a conventional laryngoscope and one ac according to the invention in a complicated case respectively.
Detailed Description of the Drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the diagrams of the present invention, showing the apparatus (1) which has a handle (2) with a blade (3) attached at the bottom end of the handle (2) somewhat like the conventional laryngoscope wherein the improvement consist of a flexible pipe (4) that is comprised of two fibreoptic bundles (4a, 4b) that functions as viewing and lighting means respectively and an insertion tube (4c) for inserting the tracheal guide into the trachea (22) and for suction and supplying gas. The said flexible pipe (4) extends from the inner section of the handle (2) and continues along the blade (3) and spaced apart near the tip of the blade (3) .
The said flexible pipe near the tip of the blade (3) has mobility in vertical and horizontal planes i.e. up/down and left/right movements respectively. These movements are controlled by two knobs (8,9) respectively. These knobs (8,9) are mounted on the handle (2) of the laryngoscope (1). It is a preferred embodiment that these knobs (8,9) are placed towards the right side so that when a medical professional uses this instrument on a patient, he would be able to hold the handle (2) to move the laryngoscope blade (3) with his left hand and move the flexible pipe accordingly for viewing the larynx of the patient clearly with his right hand.
As shown in Figure 2 the insertion tube extends from port (7) to the tip of the flexible pipe while the fibreoptic bundle for lighting means extends from port (6) to the tip of said pipe.
The fibre optic bundle (4a) for the purpose of viewing the glottic opening of the patient is fitted with a magnifying lens (12a) placed in front of the tip (14) of the said bundle so that the image to be viewed is magnified for clarity. Due to the properties of fibre optic the image can be viewed at the other end that is at the eyepiece. Another magnifying lens (12) is also placed at this end for providing an image at the correct alignment. For the purpose of viewing the image better a camera is placed on the eyepiece (5) , to have the image shown on a monitor. The said fibre optic bundle has tens of thousands of fibres bunched together so there is a possibility that light might "leak" from one fibre to others which will distort the image. To prevent this from occurring the fibres are coated with glass of low refractive index. There is also another fibre optic bundle (4b) running along the flexible pipe. This is for the purpose of providing light at the tip of the flexible pipe through an external lighting means to be connected at the lighting port (6) .
An insertion tube (4c) also runs adjacent to the fibre optic bundles (4a, 4b) in the flexible pipe. This is for the purpose of threading a tracheal guide to the trachea once the area has been located by viewing through the said fibre optic bundle. The insertion tube (4c) is placed adjacent to the fibre optic bundles. The fibre optic bundle and the insertion tube are housed together in the flexible pipe.
Figure 3 shows the working principle of how the tip of the flexible pipe moves using mechanical means according to the present embodiment. Each of the said knob (8,9) is connected to a sprocket (16a, 16b). Chains (18a, 18b) are placed along the sprockets (16a, 16b) as shown in figure 3a. The chains are connected to angular wires (17a, 17b) .The angular wires (17a, 17b) are extended till the tip of the flexible pipe. When the knobs (8,9) are rotated , said chain will rotate simultaneously pulling the angular wire according to the movement of the knob and the tip (14) of the flexible pipe is also moved. Electrical or electronic technology can also be used as the control means.
Figure 4 shows the use of a laryngoscope (21) in a straightforward case. The said laryngoscope can be either of conventional type or one according to the present invention. The blade of the said apparatus is used to lift the epiglottis (20) like any conventional scope to allow the medical professional to view (23a) the larynx of the patient.
Figure 5a shows the use of a conventional laryngoscope in a complicated case where by lifting the epiglottis (20) it is not possible to view the larynx. Even with the stationary viewing means it is still not possible to view the larynx since the viewing angle (23b) does not include the larynx. Figure 5b on the other hand illustrates how the apparatus of the invention is advantageous over the conventional scopes. The tip of the flexible pipe (14) can be moved at an angle to view (23c) the larynx of the patient. Having described certain embodiments of this invention, other modifications and changes in these embodiments are contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

Claims1) The present invention relates to a multi-angle viewing fibreoptic laryngoscope comprising,- a handle which is of hollow cylindrical tube to house the flexible pipe control means and the upper section of the flexible pipe therein; a blade attached to the bottom end of the handle; the said blade is shaped to elevate the epiglottis and to expose the glottic opening of the patient; said flexible pipe extending from the handle to the blade; characterised in that; said flexible pipe comprise of a viewing means, lighting means and an insertion tube; an eyepiece at the top end of the handle while the other end of the flexible pipe moves at various angles and spaced apart from the tip of the blade.2) A laryngoscope as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the viewing means comprises a bundle of fibreoptic strands extending from the tip(14) of the flexible pipe to the eyepiece.3) A laryngoscope as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the insertion tube (4c) extends from port (7) to the tip of the flexible pipe.4) An insertion tube as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the insertion tube is used for threading a tracheal guide through it and for suction and supplying gas . 5) A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lighting means comprises a bundle of fibreoptic strands extending from port (6) to the tip of the flexible pipe,- said light is obtained from an external light source through port (6) .6) A laryngoscope as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the movements at the tip of said flexible pipe is moved by the control, means.7) A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tip of the said flexible pipe can be moved up/down and left/right directions . AMENDED CLAIMS[received by the International Bureau on 26 February 1999 (26.02.99); original claim 6 cancelled; original claims 1 and 7 amended; new claim 8 added; remaining claims unchanged(2 pages)]
1. A multi-angle viewing fibreoptic laryngoscope comprising a handle (2) comprising a hollow, cylindrical tube having a top end and a bottom end; a blade (3) attached to the bottom end of the handle and which ends in a tip, the blade being shaped to allow elevation of the epiglottis to expose the glottic opening of a patient; a flexible pipe (4) having an upper section and a lower section ending in a tip (14) , the upper section of the pipe being housed within the housing and the lower section extending to the blade; and movement control means (8,9) mounted on the housing for moving the lower section of the flexible pipe spaced apart from the blade; characterised in that the flexible pipe comprises viewing means, lighting means and an insertion tube, the viewing means extending to an eyepiece (5) at the top end of the handle.
2. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viewing means comprises a bundle of fibreoptic • strands extending from the tip (14) of the flexible pipe to the eyepiece.
3. A laryngoscope as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the insertion tube (4c) extends from a port (7) in the handle to the tip of the flexible pipe.
4. A laryngoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the insertion tube is for threading a tracheal guide therethrough, and/or for suction and/or supply of gas therethrough .
5. A laryngoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lighting means comprises a bundle of fibreoptic strands extending from a lighting port (6) in the handle to the tip of the flexible pipe.
6. A laryngoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means is capable of moving the tip of the flexible pipe up and down and left and right.
7. A laryngoscope as claimed in any preceding claim which has a single blade.
8. A laryngoscope as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible pipe extends from the housing and along the blade and is spaced apart from the tip of the blade.
PCT/GB1998/000600 1997-12-10 1998-02-25 Multi-angle viewing fibreoptic laryngoscope WO1999029228A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU17410/99A AU1741099A (en) 1997-12-10 1998-02-25 Multi-angle viewing fibreoptic laryngoscope

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
MYPI9705953 1997-12-10
MYPI9705953 1997-12-10

Publications (1)

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WO1999029228A1 true WO1999029228A1 (en) 1999-06-17

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009051698A2 (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-04-23 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Catheter guided endotracheal intubation
US10349822B2 (en) 2008-10-30 2019-07-16 Indian Ocean Medical Inc. Guiding device for use with laryngoscope

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5279281A (en) 1990-09-14 1994-01-18 Harvey James C Single-handed fibre-optic flexible laryngoscope
US5425356A (en) * 1989-05-26 1995-06-20 Ough; Yon D. Telescopic laryngoscope blade
US5498231A (en) * 1994-03-07 1996-03-12 Franicevic; Klaus Intubating laryngoscope
US5603688A (en) * 1995-04-24 1997-02-18 Upsher Laryngoscope Corporation Laryngoscope including an upwardly curved blade having a downwardly directed tip portion
US5676635A (en) * 1995-08-30 1997-10-14 Levin; Bruce Instrument for insertion of an endotracheal tube

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5425356A (en) * 1989-05-26 1995-06-20 Ough; Yon D. Telescopic laryngoscope blade
US5279281A (en) 1990-09-14 1994-01-18 Harvey James C Single-handed fibre-optic flexible laryngoscope
US5498231A (en) * 1994-03-07 1996-03-12 Franicevic; Klaus Intubating laryngoscope
US5603688A (en) * 1995-04-24 1997-02-18 Upsher Laryngoscope Corporation Laryngoscope including an upwardly curved blade having a downwardly directed tip portion
US5676635A (en) * 1995-08-30 1997-10-14 Levin; Bruce Instrument for insertion of an endotracheal tube

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009051698A2 (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-04-23 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Catheter guided endotracheal intubation
WO2009051698A3 (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-07-02 Beth Israel Hospital Catheter guided endotracheal intubation
US10182712B2 (en) 2007-10-12 2019-01-22 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc. Catheter guided endotracheal intubation
US10349822B2 (en) 2008-10-30 2019-07-16 Indian Ocean Medical Inc. Guiding device for use with laryngoscope

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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