Patent ID: 7695433

Claim:
A laryngoscope, comprising: a handle; a blade having an elongated portion and a mounting portion, the mounting portion being configured to position the elongated portion relative to the handle, wherein the mounting portion comprises side walls having an exterior surface, and wherein at least one of the side walls defines at least one aperture extending therethrough the wall; a disposable blade cover comprising a proximal end and a spaced distal end, wherein at least a portion of the distal end of the disposable blade cover defines at least one cavity configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the elongated portion of the blade, and wherein the proximal end of the disposable blade cover defines at least one latching cavity; and an actuator system comprising at least one latching pin, each latching pin being configured to pass through one aperture of the mounting portion and be at least partially received by the at least one latching cavity, and wherein the actuator system is configured to selectively move the at least one latching pin between an extended position that is configured to selectively secure the disposable blade cover over at least a portion of the elongated portion of the blade, in which each latching pin extends through one aperture outwardly away from the exterior surface of the side wall and at least partially extends therein the at least one latching cavity, and a retracted position configured to allow for the selective removal of the disposable blade cover from the elongated portion of the blade, in which each latching pin is retracted within the aperture and below a plane of the exterior surface of the side wall.