Abstract:
A laryngoscope handle for use with a fiber optic laryngoscope blade having fiber optics includes a laryngoscope handle body configured to be gripped by a handle of a user; one or more power sources carried by the handle body; a light source assembly carried by the handle body and powered by the one or more power sources; a connection section for mechanically connecting the fiber optic laryngoscope blade to the laryngoscope handle and optically coupling the light source assembly in the laryngoscope handle to the fiber optics of the fiber optic laryngoscope blade, wherein the light source assembly includes at least two different types of light sources and a light mixing chamber where light emitted from the two different types of light sources mix to create a combined, mixed light that is transmitted to the fiber optics of the fiber optic laryngoscope blade for emission there from.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/328,499, filed on Dec. 16, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/290,792, filed on Nov. 7, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/698,467, filed Feb. 2, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/346,594, filed Nov. 3, 2009, now U.S. Des. Pat. No. D632,787, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/368,952, filed Feb. 10, 2009, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/173,961, filed on Jul. 16, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,012,087, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/144,147, filed Jun. 23, 2008. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/288,779, filed Dec. 21, 2009. The contents of each and all of the above patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of this invention relates, in general, to illumination devices, and, in particular, to laryngoscope handles for laryngoscope blades. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the invention involves a laryngoscope handle for use with a fiber optic laryngoscope blade including fiber optics. The laryngoscope handle includes a laryngoscope handle body configured to be gripped by a hand of a user; one or more power sources carried by the handle body; a light source assembly carried by the handle body and powered by the one or more power sources; a connection section for mechanically connecting the fiber optic laryngoscope blade to the laryngoscope handle and optically coupling the light source assembly in the laryngoscope handle to the fiber optics of the fiber optic laryngoscope blade, wherein the light source assembly includes at least two different types of light sources and a light mixing chamber where light emitted from the two different types of light sources mix to create a combined, mixed light that is transmitted to the fiber optics of the fiber optic laryngoscope blade for emission there from. 
     One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the light mixing chamber where light emitted from the two different types of light sources mix is a mirrored chamber; the at least two different types of light sources include one or more white light sources and one or more UV light sources; and/or the at least two different types of light sources include a single white light LED and a single UV light LED. 
     Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using the laryngoscope handle comprising mechanically and optically coupling the fiber optic laryngoscope blade and fiber optics to the connection section of the laryngoscope handle to form a laryngoscope; actuating the light source assembly; mixing light emitted from the two different types of light sources to create a combined, mixed light in the light mixing chamber; transmitting the mixed light from the laryngoscope handle to the fiber optics of the fiber optic laryngoscope blade; and emitting the mixed light from the fiber optics of the fiber optic laryngoscope blade. 
     A further aspect of the invention involves a method of performing direct laryngoscopy comprised of using the laryngoscope to lift a patient&#39;s tongue and mandible for at least one of locating and viewing a foreign object in the patient; emitting the mixed light from the fiber optics to prompt a visible illumination effect in the patient&#39;s epiglottis and vocal cords resulting from absorption of some or all of the ultraviolet light by tissues in the patient, providing a back light from phosphorus reactions, and allowing a reaction with a foreign body in the patient; and locating the foreign object in the patient. 
     A still further aspect of the invention involves performing direct laryngoscopy comprised of using the laryngoscope to lift a patient&#39;s tongue and mandible for viewing the vocal cords adjacent the larynx and to aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube past the vocal cords; emitting the mixed light from the fiber optics to prompt a visible illumination effect in the patient&#39;s epiglottis and vocal cords resulting from absorption of some or all of the ultraviolet light by tissues in the patient, providing back light from phosphorus reaction, and making the patient&#39;s vocal cords at the glottis visible and identifying a pathway for the endotracheal tube to the trachea; and performing endotracheal intubation in the patient by inserting the endotracheal tube into the patient&#39;s mouth, between the patient&#39;s visible vocal cords into the larynx, and then into the trachea. 
     Further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a review of the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial side perspective view and partial cross-sectional view of a laryngoscope with a fiber optic laryngoscope blade shown in side perspective view and an embodiment of a laryngoscope handle shown in cross-sectional view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a laryngoscope handle  100  for a laryngoscope  110  will be described. In the embodiment shown, an illumination device in the form of a fiber optic laryngoscope blade  120  is connected to the laryngoscope handle  100 . The laryngoscope blade  120  (e.g., curved Macintosh blade, straight Miller/Robertshaw blade, or other type of blade) carries fiber optics (e.g., fiber optic light tube)  130 . The fiber optic light tube  130  is optically coupled to a connection section  140 , where the laryngoscope blade  120  connects to the laryngoscope handle  100 . In alternative embodiments, other types of illumination devices other than a laryngoscope blade  120  are used and other illumination sources other than a laryngoscope handle  100  are used. 
     In this embodiment, the laryngoscope handle  100  has a curved, ergonomic laryngoscope handle body with a series of finger grip indents  150  on an inner surface  160 . The laryngoscope handle  100  has a connection section  170  at an upper end  180  of an upper portion  190  with connection mechanism  200  for mechanically and optically coupling the connection section  140  of the laryngoscope blade  120  and the connection section  170  of the laryngoscope handle  100 . The connection mechanism  200  may include a switch therein (e.g., an electrically conductive ball contact in connection portion(s)  140  and/or  170  that contact each other to close circuit) that is automatically operated when the connection sections  140 ,  170  are connected for actuating an illumination source system  190  discussed below. For example, the illumination source system  190  is automatically placed in communication with one or more power sources  250  when the laryngoscope blade  120  is assembled or clicked together with the upper part of the laryngoscope handle  100 , and are automatically turned off when the laryngoscope blade  120  is released or disassembled from the upper part of the laryngoscope handle  100  for storage when not in use, for example when the laryngoscope blade  120  is unlocked/unlatched from the upper part of the laryngoscope handle  100 . Alternatively or additionally, the laryngoscope handle  100  may include a manual switch for turning the illumination source system  190  on, off, and/or otherwise controlling the illumination source system  190  (e.g., switching to at least one of an “off” condition, an “on” condition in which both UV and white light is emitted, a UV light only condition, and a white light only condition). 
     Adjacent to the connection section is an illumination source system  190 . The illumination source system  190  includes one or more white light illumination sources  200 , preferably one or more white light LED(s). In alternative embodiments, the one or more white light illumination sources  200  include, but are not limited to, a white halogen light and/or a white incandescent light. The illumination source system  190  also includes one or more ultra violet (UV) light illumination sources  210 , preferably one or more UV LED(s). The one or more UV light illumination sources  210  emit long wave UVA radiation and little visible light. The one or more UV light illumination sources  210  emit electromagnetic radiation that is in the soft, near ultraviolet range. The one or more UV light illumination sources  210  prompt the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient&#39;s vocal cords and the glottis, which is the space between the vocal cords, during laryngoscopy. In one embodiment, the one or more UV light illumination sources  210  emit electromagnetic radiation including a wavelength in the range of 315 to 400 nm, without emitting substantial electromagnetic radiation including a wavelength outside of the range of 300 to 450 nm. In another embodiment, the one or more UV light illumination sources  210  emit electromagnetic radiation including a wavelength of 385-395 nm. The illumination source system  190  may include a chamber  220  with mirrored wall(s)  230 . The chamber  220  may be cone-shaped or have another configuration to enhance the reflection and emission of light from the illumination source system  190 . The illumination sources  200 ,  210  may be connected to a printed circuit board (PCB)  240 , which is electrically coupled to and powered by one or more power sources  250  (e.g., one or more rechargeable batteries, one or more disposable batteries, one or more dry cell batteries such as one or more lithium ion batteries). 
     An exemplary method of performing a medical procedure, and, in particular, an endotracheal intubation using the laryngoscope handle  100  and laryngoscope blade  120  of the laryngoscope is described below. The illumination source system  190  of the laryngoscope handle  100  is actuated (e.g., when the laryngoscope  110  is clicked together/assembled). This causes the one or more white light illumination sources  200  and the one or more UV light illumination sources  210  in the laryngoscope handle  100  to emit, respectively, white and UV light, which are mixed in the chamber  220  of the handle  100 , resulting in a mixed, combination of white and UV light, which is transmitted to the fiber optic light tube  130 . At a distal end of the fiber optic light tube  130 , the combination of white and UV light is emitted distally from a distal end portion of the laryngoscope blade  120 . The laryngoscope blade  120  is inserted into a patient&#39;s mouth and behind the patient&#39;s tongue and mandible. By gripping the handle  100  with one&#39;s hand, the tongue and mandible are lifted for viewing the vocal cords adjacent the larynx and to aid in the insertion of an endotracheal tube past the vocal cords. The black light of the combination black and UV light emitted from the fiber optic light tube  130  prompts the visible effects of fluorescence and phosphorescence with respect to the patient&#39;s vocal cords and the glottis, making the patient&#39;s vocal cords at the glottis visible either directly by the eyes of the medical provider or via a scope of the endotracheal tube (or via an electronic display). The black light causes vocal cords or vocal folds to naturally fluoresce, clearly identifying pathway to the trachea. The white light in combination with UV light provides general illumination (e.g., of the interior of the mouth and back of the patient&#39;s throat). This brightness of the white light is bright enough to provide general illumination (e.g., of the interior of the mouth and back of the patient&#39;s throat) while not being so bright as to overtake the effects of the UV light. The mixed UV and white light combination lighting produces “near-3D optimization of viewing area, causing airway structures to stand out via precision-shadowing effect. The UV and white light wavelength mix dramatically improves discrimination of tissues, field of view, reduces glare and creates better depth perception in the airway. The endotracheal tube is inserted into the patient&#39;s mouth, between the patient&#39;s visible vocal cords into the larynx, and then into the trachea of the patient in a usual manner. A stylet of the endotracheal tube may be used to shape the scope/endotracheal tube to the individual anatomy/pathology of the patient. In an embodiment of the laryngoscope handle  100  including a manual switch/controller, the respective light sources  200 ,  210  may be individually/selectively actuated or deactivated (e.g., to cause only UV light to be emitted, only white light to be emitted, no light to be emitted, and/or a mixed, combined UV and white light to be emitted) so that optimal viewing of the vocal cords occurs. The medical provider may prefer to use the UV light condition and/or the white light condition, depending on external lighting conditions, the individual anatomy/pathology of the patient, the patient&#39;s condition, and other factors. 
     In an alternative exemplary method, which is described in U.S. patent application U.S. Patent Application No. 13/328,499, which is incorporated by reference herein, the laryngoscope  110  is used to assist in removal of an obstruction or foreign object from a patient&#39;s trachea. 
     The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention, especially in the following claims, should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. 
     Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items e present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.