Abstract:
A Laryngoscope system for controlling and monitoring characteristics associated with airway management and a remote access unit continuously interfacing through instant wireless private direct connectivity to a laryngoscope. The system also includes a plurality of sensors and controllers that measure and control characteristics and provide the remote unit with measurements and control results. In other aspects, the laryngoscope and display unit are sensitive to movement and may power on and off with motion or absence of motion. In another aspect, the laryngoscope is capable of wirelessly communicating with the screen for command and control of the Laryngoscope and laryngoscope system.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional which claims the benefit of US Published Application US 2010/0249513 A1 filed on Mar. 31, 2010, which claims the benefit of PPA No. 61/165,091, filed on Mar. 31, 2009 referenced by incorporation herein which claims the benefit of PPA 61/427,010 filed Jan. 28, 2011 by the present inventor. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Over 20 million intubation procedures are performed each year in the United States either as a routine part of surgery or in emergency situations resulting from trauma, cardiopulmonary arrest or other disease processes. In an intubation procedure, it is necessary to insert an endotracheal tube (ET tube) in order to maintain a patient&#39;s respiratory function. The tube is inserted into a patient&#39;s trachea via either the mouth or nasal tract so that the airway remains open and oxygen reaches the patient&#39;s lungs. 
     Practitioners use an instrument known as a laryngoscope to help in the placement of the ET tube. This instrument typically comprises a handle, a blade, and a light. The practitioner uses the device to move the tongue and epiglottis to one side so that the airway may be properly identified. Once the airway is properly identified, the practitioner inserts the tube with one hand while holding the laryngoscope with the other. In a small percentage of patients, the airway cannot be identified with the laryngoscope alone. With these patients, practitioners sometimes use a device known as a “bougie”. This bougie is a small diameter flexible cylinder of metal, plastic or other material that may serve as a guide for placement of a larger ET tube. 
     The laryngoscope predominantly used today to accomplish this task was developed in the 1940&#39;s. When performed by an experienced practitioner, the procedure is usually quick and uneventful. However, even in the hands of well skilled individuals, there is still an unacceptable number of occurrences in which placement of the endotracheal tube is difficult or impossible resulting in an inability to provide the patient with oxygen leading to death or injury. Difficulty in placing the endotracheal tube may be due to trauma, abnormal anatomy, disease processes or for unknown and unpredictable reasons. 
     Over the years, there have been many attempts to improve upon the design of the original laryngoscope, but those attempts have been largely unsuccessful as evidenced by the continued use today of virtually the same device developed in the 1940&#39;s. More recently due to advances in miniaturization of technology, devices have been developed known as video laryngoscopes that greatly improve the ability to adequately locate the vocal cords and appropriately place the endotracheal tube. These devices are generally constructed with a small camera placed at the distal end of the laryngoscope and the image obtained by that camera is viewed on a remote monitor. However, these devices are expensive and often inconvenient to use. Moreover, prior art devices still fail to offer a solution to the difficult intubations in which a bougie is necessary. 
     What is needed is an inexpensive, sanitary, easy to use laryngoscope system that may be used in all situations, including the most difficult intubations in the most challenging environments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive, sanitary, easy to use laryngoscope system that may be used in all situations, including most difficult intubations in the most challenging environments. 
     The present invention generally provides a laryngoscope capable of being connected to a monitor and power source, said laryngoscope being comprised of a handle, an arm, a camera, a light, and a disposable sheath; wherein the sheath is slideably and removably coupled to the arm; the sheath being further comprised of a canal capable of being threaded with a bougie; the handle being further comprised of a remote ejection element mechanically connected to a spring element capable of ejecting the sheath from the arm; the arm being removably coupled to the handle. The system is further comprised of a display device, and an IV pole attachment. The sheath may be remotely ejected by depressing a thumb ejector switch on the handle which releases a clasp at the coupling point and further releases a spring element held in compression which, upon release, forcibly moves the sheath along the length of the arm, such that the sheath becomes detached from the arm. The sheath is further comprised of a small canal at least partially running along the outside length that serves as a guide for the bougie. With the laryngoscope properly placed, the practitioner may thread a bougie through the sheath&#39;s bougie canal into the airway and use this bougie as a guide for the ET tube. 
     The laryngoscope is further comprised of a light and a camera. The lens of this camera is located at the distal end of the arm and the signal is transmitted either wirelessly or through a cord to the display device. The light is also located at the distal end of the arm. The cord further transmits power from a power source to the light and camera. In one embodiment of the present invention, the camera is located in the arm of the camera with the lens positioned near the body of the camera. In another embodiment, the body of the camera is located in the handle and communicates with the lens through a cable. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the image collected by the lens is reflected on a mirror or prism. 
     The display unit is comprised of a container, a screen, and a battery. The container is configured such that it may be removably coupled to an IV pole attachment or sit upright when not attached to the IV pole attachment. 
     The IV pole is conventional and commercially available. The IV pole attachment is comprised of an attachment receiver that allows the user to quickly attach and separate the display unit from the IV Pole attachment, an IV clamp with a “C” shaped opening, and a laryngoscope storage receptacle. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope is comprised of a heating element. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope is capable of being motion activated such that the laryngoscope is powered on upon movement. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope is capable of being motion activated such that the laryngoscope is powered off when no movement is detected for a predetermined period of time. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the screen is capable of being motion activated such that the screen is powered on upon movement. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the screen is capable of being motion activated such that the screen is powered off when no movement is detected for a predetermined period of time. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the arm is removably coupled to the handle. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a user using the ejection element may eject the sheath without touching the sheath. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the display unit is comprised of a stand such that said unit is capable of standing upright. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope is capable of wirelessly communicating with the screen. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the laryngoscope system in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 2A  is an isometric cut-away right side view of the laryngoscope in the open position with the arm and sheath attached in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 2B  is an isometric cut-away right side view of the laryngoscope of  FIG. 2A  with the thumb ejector switch in the extended position. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric, rear, and side view of the laryngoscope arm and a partial view of the laryngoscope handle, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric right side view of the laryngoscope with the arm in the closed position in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric right side and rear view of the laryngoscope with the arm in the closed position without the sheath attached in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric right side, top view of the sheath, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a top, front, and left side isometric view of the display unit with the stand in the open position. 
         FIG. 8  is rear elevation view of the display unit with the stand in the open position. 
         FIG. 9  is a right side isometric view of the display unit with the stand in the open position. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear isometric view of the IV pole attachment. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the IV pole attachment. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram depicting the camera unit. 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram depicting the laryngoscope motion sensor system. 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram depicting the display unit motion sensor system. 
         FIG. 15  is a block diagram depicting the laryngoscope and display unit wireless communication system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-15  there is shown a laryngoscope system  12  of the present invention. This laryngoscope system  12  is generally comprised of a laryngoscope  14 , a display unit  72 , and an IV pole attachment  98  capable of being coupled to an IV pole  128 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the laryngoscope  14  of the present invention comprises a handle  16 , a curved blade or arm  18 , a light  20 , a camera  22 , and a disposable sheath  24 . The handle  16  of the laryngoscope  14  has a curved arm  18  attached. In one aspect of the present invention, the arm  18  is removably coupled to the handle  16 . Slideably coupled to the arm  18  is a sheath  24  which snaps into place at a coupling point  68  ( FIG. 3 ). In the preferred embodiment, this sheath  24  is formed from plastic and is at least partially clear so as to allow light emitted from the light  20  to pass through it. Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the preferred embodiment, the sheath  24  is comprised of a transparent window  28 . The sheath  24  has one or more clasps  30  on its proximal end ( FIG. 6 ) which may be removably coupled to the arm  18  at the coupling point  68  ( FIG. 3 ). In one aspect of the present invention, a user, using the thumb ejector switch  34 , may eject the sheath  24  without physically touching the sheath  24 . Referring to  FIGS. 2A, 2B  and  FIG. 5 , the thumb ejector switch  34  is located at the upper end of the handle  16 . The thumb ejector switch  34  is comprised of a plunger block  36 , an ejection rod  38 , and a protrusion  40 . The thumb ejector switch  34  is coupled to the ejection rod  38  which is coupled at the top end with the plunger block  36 . The plunger block  36  is comprised of the protrusion  40 . A return spring  42  is coupled to the thumb ejector switch  34 . This return spring  42  maintains the ejection rod  38  in a retracted position as a rest state ( FIG. 2A ). Above the plunger block  36  is a retaining receptacle  44 . This retaining receptacle  44  is structured and arranged such that it is capable of nesting the protrusion  40  and maintains the thumb ejector switch  34  in a rest position and prevents accidental deployment of the ejection rod  38 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2B, 3, 5 and 6 , the sheath  24  may be remotely ejected by depressing the thumb ejector switch  34  ( FIG. 2B ) on the handle  16  which releases the clasp  30  at a sheath connection ridge  58  located on the arm  18  at the coupling point  68 . The thumb injector switch  34 , when depressed, travels down a switch channel  31  ( FIG. 5 ). In one embodiment, thumb ejector switch  34  further releases a spring element  60  ( FIG. 3 ) held in compression which, upon release, forcibly moves the sheath  24  along the length of the arm  18 , such that the sheath  24  becomes detached from the arm  18 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , in one aspect of a preferred embodiment, the clasp  30  has a score line  32  or thinner layer of material. This score line  32  creates a weakened area in the clasp  30  so that when depressed by the ejection rod  38 , the clasp  30  is deformed at the score line  32 . In one aspect of the present invention, the clasp  30 , after ejection, cannot be returned to its original un-deformed configuration without breaking at the score line  32 . Such breaking prevents the sheath  24  from being reused and thus, helps prevent contamination. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, and as shown in  FIG. 6 , the sheath  24  is further comprised of a small canal  26  running at least partially along the outside length that serves as a guide for a bougie  70 . With the laryngoscope  14  properly placed, the practitioner may thread the bougie  70  through the sheath&#39;s bougie canal  26  into the airway and use this bougie  70  as a guide for an ET tube (not shown). As shown in the  FIG. 6 , in the preferred embodiment, this canal  26  is open on one side  27  such that the bougie  70  may be inserted and removed through this open side  27 . This open side  27  permits the user to maintain the laryngoscope  14  in the airway while threading the ET tube over the bougie  70 . In this embodiment, the bougie  70  is forced out of the canal  26  through the side opening  27  by the ET tube. In the preferred embodiment, this canal with its open side  27  is “C” shaped. This “C” shape helps maintain the bougie  70  within the canal  26  while still allowing the bougie  70  to be removed through the open side  27 . Although the canal  26  of the preferred embodiment is open and forms a “C” shape, the canal  26  need not be open and need not be “C” shaped. Rather, the canal  26  can be closed on the sides so as to completely surround the bougie  70  along its length and can be circular or any other suitable shape. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the laryngoscope  14  also has a light  20  and a camera  22  positioned at the distal end of arm  18  and confined within arm walls  10  beneath a transparent cap  66 . This cap  66  is clear and allows light to reach the lens  56  and light generated from the light  20  to exit the arm  18 . A lens  56  for this camera  22  is located in the arm  18  and the signal is transmitted through a cord  96  to a display unit  72 . While in the preferred embodiment the camera  22  is solid state and does not rely upon mirrors or prisms, the camera  22  may be comprised of a lens  56  that focuses light as an image on a prism. The image may then reflected by the prism to the camera  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 &amp; 12 , the lens  56  of the camera  22  is also located at the distal end of the arm  18 . In another embodiment, the main portion of the camera  22  is located in the handle  16  and communicates with the lens  56  through a fiber optic cable. In one embodiment, the camera  22  transmits the signal directly to the display unit  72  without the use of mirrors and prisms. In the preferred embodiment, the camera  22  is a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera. However, other cameras  22  may be used including those incorporating charge-coupled device (CCD) technology. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the camera  22  transmits video images to the display unit  72 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , the camera  22  is comprised of a lens  56 , a shutter  51 , an image sensor  57 , a processor or CPU  59 , and a flex circuit  61 . Images collected by the camera  22  are displayed on the screen  88  of the display unit  72 . Although the camera  22  of the preferred embodiment produces video images, it can also generate still images which may also be displayed on the screen  88  of the display unit  72 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in the preferred embodiment, the arm  18  is comprised of a heating unit  21 . This heating unit  21  heats the light  20  and camera  22  area and prevents the light  20  and camera  22  from developing moisture which may obscure the images gathered by the camera  22 . The heating unit  21  is comprised of a thermistor  23  which monitors the temperature of the heating unit  21  and shuts the unit  21  off when a predetermined temperature is reached. In the preferred embodiment, such temperature is approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The arm  18  is further comprised of a flex circuit  61  ( FIG. 5 ). This circuit  61  is capable of supplying power to the camera  22  light  20  and heating unit  21  as well as transmitting information (including images) between the camera  22  and display unit  72 . The handle  16  and arm  18  are each further comprised of heater switch  53  and  55 . When the laryngoscope  14  is in the folded position, the heater switch  53  and  55  is in the open position and no power to the heater unit  21  is transferred. In this folded position, connectors  52  are also open such that power is not transferred to the light  20 , camera  22 , and heating unit  21 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , in alternative embodiments, a sheath switch  25  is located on the arm  16 . When the sheath  24  is in place and the arm  18  is in the working/engaged position as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , power is supplied to the heating unit  21 . However, when the sheath  24  is not present, as shown in  FIG. 3 , or the arm  18  is in the folded/disengaged position depicted in  FIG. 4 , the heater switch  53 ,  55  is open, and no power is supplied to the heater unit  21 . The sheath switch  25  interrupts power to the handle portion  53  of heater switch  53 ,  55 . 
     The cord  96  further transmits power from a power source to the light  20  camera  22  and heating unit  21 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , in one aspect of the present invention the laryngoscope  14  is comprised of a motion sensor  134  and processor  136  that allow the laryngoscope  14  to be motion activated such that the laryngoscope  14  is powered on upon a predetermined threshold of movement. In another aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope  14  is capable of being motion activated such that the laryngoscope  14  is powered off when no movement is detected for a predetermined period of time. 
     In  FIG. 3 , there is shown the connection assembly between the handle  16  and arm  18 . At the base of the handle  16  there is a pin  46  and ball spring receptacles  48 . The arm  18  is comprised of ball springs  62 . To couple the arm  18  to the handle  16 , the pin  46  is inserted in arm opening  47 . The ball springs  62  slide into ball spring receptacles  48 . This connection aligns arm plate  64  with handle plate  50  within the walls  54  of handle plate  50  such that an electrical connection is made with connectors  52 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7-9 , the display unit  72  is comprised of a thin container  74 , a screen  88 , a DC Jack  94 , a battery management board and a battery. The container  74  is comprised of an IV pole attachment connector  90  such that it may be removably coupled to an IV pole attachment receiver  100  ( FIG. 11 ) or, as shown in  FIGS. 7 &amp; 9 , sit upright on a stand  92  when not attached to the IV pole attachment receiver  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , the container  74  of the preferred embodiment is generally rectangular and is comprised of a face  76 , a back  78 , and sides  80 . The face  76  of the container  74  partially surrounds the screen  88  so that the screen  88  may be viewed. In the preferred embodiment, the stand  92  is pivotally coupled to the back  78  and is structured and arranged such that it extends generally rearward from the back  78  when in use and folds flat against the back  78  in a recess  86  when in the stored position. In the preferred embodiment, said recess  86  is contoured to the shape of the stand  92 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , in one aspect of the present invention the display unit  72  is comprised of a motion sensor  138  and processor  140  that allow the screen  88  to be motion activated such that the screen  88  is powered on upon a predetermined threshold movement. In another aspect of the present invention, the screen  88  is capable of being motion activated such that the screen  88  is powered off when no movement is detected for a predetermined period of time. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 7-9 , in one aspect of the present invention, the face  76  has a battery status indicator  84 . This indicator  84  is comprised of a plurality of LED lights. In the preferred embodiment, two green lights showing indicate to the user that the battery is fully charged and the system  12  is operable. An amber light indicates the battery is depleted and will need to be charged soon. A red light indicates the battery lacks sufficient charge to operate the screen  88 , camera  22 , and light  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the indicator  84  is positioned at the lower portion of the face  76  near the center and beneath the screen  88 . 
     The back  78 , on the inside, has pegs and receptacles which act as coupling devices. The central pegs of the back correspond with receptacles located on the reverse side of the screen  88 . The perimeter receptacles correspond with pegs located on the inside side of the face  76 . 
     The screen  88  and battery are mounted on the inside portion of the back  78  of the container  74 . The battery of the preferred embodiment is a rechargeable lithium battery and is capable of illuminating the screen  88 . The screen  88  of the preferred embodiment is a 3.5 inch (Diagonal) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The screen  88  displays the image captured by the camera  22 . In one aspect of the present invention, the screen  88  also displays other information such as the battery charge level, time, date, and the like. 
     The display unit  72  is further comprised of a DC input jack  94  and charge indicator  130 . This jack  94  accepts the barrel portion of a charging cable. This jack  94  connects with and is used to recharge the battery. The charge indicator  130  is an LED light that, when lit, alerts the user that the battery is being charged. In one aspect of the present invention, the unit  72  may not be operated while the charge cable is inserted into the jack  94   
     The cable  62  is capable of communicating images received from the camera  22  to the screen  88  through the communication jack  132 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , in one aspect of the present invention, the laryngoscope  14  is capable of wirelessly communicating with the display unit  72 . In this embodiment, the laryngoscope  14  is further comprised of a transmitter  148 , a processor or CPU  152  and an antenna  150 . The display unit  72  is further comprised of a receiver  142 , a processor or CPU  146  and an antenna  144 . Images captured by the camera  22  are processed by the CPU  152  and transmitted wirelessly to the display unit  72  receiver  142  such that the images are displayed on screen  88 . 
     The communication cable  96  is also capable of transmitting power generated by the battery to the light  20  and camera  22 . The battery management board is a conventional and commercially available circuit board and is capable of maintaining an appropriate charge level in the battery. 
     The IV pole  128  is conventional and commercially available. As may be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 10-11 , the IV pole attachment  98  is comprised of an attachment receiver  100 , an IV pole clamp  108  with a C shaped opening, a tightening screw  110  with wing knob  112 , and a laryngoscope receptacle  114 . The attachment receiver  100  allows the user to quickly attach and separate the display unit  72  from IV pole attachment  98  and is comprised of a bracket  102 , and a quick release button  104 . The attachment connector  90  of the display unit  72  may be slideably attached to the attachment receiver  100 . The user may detach the display unit  72  from the attachment receiver  100  by depressing the release button  104  which activates a lever  106  that disengages the display unit  72  from the attachment receiver  100 . The IV pole attachment  98  may be secured to an IV pole  128  by inserting the pole  128  in the IV clamp&#39;s  108  C shape opening and tightening the tightening screw  110  with the wing knob  112 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-11 , the laryngoscope receptacle  114  is comprised of a contoured holder  116  and an extension portion  118 . The extension portion  118  is comprised of a first member  124  and a second member  126 . In the preferred embodiment, the first member  124  is structured and arranged such that it can rotate 360 degrees around an imaginary axis  120  that extends from a longitudinal axis of the extension portion  118 . The second member  126  is structured and arranged such that it can rotate up to 360 degrees around an axis  122  perpendicular to the axis  120  around which the first member  124  rotates. Therefore, as may be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the receptacle  114 , without the need for the user detaching the IV pole attachment  98  from the IV pole  128 , can be positioned on either side of an IV pole  128  and oriented such that the contoured holder  116  remains in an upright position and capable of receiving the laryngoscope  14 . 
     The contoured holder  116  is shaped to accommodate the laryngoscope  14  in the folded position as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the preferred embodiment the arm  18  is made from stainless steel. The handle  16  and container  74  are made from Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Although the handle  16  and container  74  of the preferred embodiment are formed from ABS, they need not be. For instance, the handle  16  and container  74  may be formed of any conventional material such as metal or plastic. 
     While there has been illustrated and described what is, at present, considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.