Abstract: There is disclosed herein an endoscope system which includes an endoscope, specifically a laryngoscope, having a handle, a blade connected with the handle and means including an optical eyepiece through which an area immediately in front of the distal end of the blade may be viewed along the optical axis of the eyepiece. The system also utilizes an arrangement including a camera and monitor for displaying the area immediately in front of the blade when the camera is mounted to the eyepiece. A coupling member connectable to the camera is provided for mounting the camera to the eyepiece and locking means forming part of the coupling member and part of the eyepiece is provided for preventing the coupling member and therefore the camera from rotating in a plane normal to the optical axis of the eyepiece and for preventing the coupling member and therefore the camera from rocking in a plane parallel with the optical axis.

Abstract: An improved laryngoscope and its method of use are disclosed herein. The laryngoscope includes a handle and a blade separate from the handle. The blade is engagable with the handle for selective movement between an inoperative position and an operative position. A locking mechanism is provided integrally with the laryngoscope which is selectively movable between an unlocked position, in which the blade remains movable between its inoperative and operative positions, and a locked position, in which, upon movement of the locking mechanism to the locked position while the blade is in its operative position, thereafter fixes the blade in the operative position until such time that the locking mechanism is moved to the unlocked position.

Abstract: An improved laryngoscope and its method of use are disclosed herein. The laryngoscope includes a handle and a blade which defines a slot along its length. A tube separation mouth, which is widened in comparison to the slot and which leads into the slot, is provided integral with an uppermost portion of the blade for use during separation of an intubated endotracheal tube from the blade.In a method of separating the blade from an intubated tube, the tube is moved into the separation mouth and thereafter into the slot. The tube is then passed down the slot to be released therefrom as the blade is withdrawn from the throat of the patient.

Abstract: An improved laryngoscope and its method of use are disclosed herein. The laryngoscope includes a handle and a blade wherein the blade includes a tip portion at its distal end which is positioned in a specific location relative to the rest of the blade when the blade and handle are positioned in their normal, operative downwardly directed position. In a method of using the laryngoscope as disclosed herein, the downwardly directed tip portion of the blade remains adjacent an endotracheal tube which follows a given path upon emerging at the distal end of the blade.

Abstract: A laryngoscope is disclosed herein which includes a handle and a separate disposable blade. The disposable blade is designed for a single proper operative use, enabling greater sterility. After the single first proper operative use, and upon disengagement from the handle, certain blade components are sufficiently damaged, whereby the blade is not able to cooperatingly engage and remain retained in the handle, for a proper second operative use.

Abstract: An improved laryngoscope having a blade which is curved and tubular and has an improved light means for illuminating the forward end of the blade. In a number of embodiments of the laryngoscope, a light source is mounted in the upper end of the handle of the laryngoscope so the handle can be used with a conventional laryngoscope blade or a non-conventional laryngoscope blade. In one embodiment, the light source is carried by an adapter removably mounted on the handle near the location where the handle and blade are interconnected.

Abstract: A laryngoscope comprising a handle and a blade disengagably connected therewith is disclosed therein. The handle includes an elongated, straight hand gripping segment containing a power source. The blade includes a handle connecting backend segment containing a light source and an elongated tongue lifting and tube guiding front segment which carries a light guide. This latter segment is made up of first and second subsegments extending its entire length, the first subsegment being disposed within a plane through the elongation axis of the hand gripping segment and serving to contain a light guide and the second subsegment being disposed laterally to one side of the same plane and serving to elevate the patient's tongue and to guide an endotracheal tube into the patient's throat.

Abstract: A laryngoscope having a blade and separate handle containing an electrical power source is disclosed herein. A base independent of the handle is provided for the blade and includes its own bore and a light source mounted therein. The laryngoscope also includes a light guide having one end in optical communication with the light source and its opposite end disposed adjacent the opposite end of the blade for directing light from the light source at the base to the blade's opposite end. The base also includes means for disengageably mounting it to the handle in a way which places the light bulb in electrical connection with the electric power source.

Abstract: A dual bladed laryngoscope is disclosed herein. This laryngoscope includes a handle configured to operate with a conventional blade carrying its own light source and one which merely carries a light guide. In this regard, the handle also includes a light source along with a power supply and a mounting base, the latter is designed to receive the first-mentioned blade in a way which automatically causes the power supply to energize the light source carried by this blade. At the same time, this mounting base is designed to receive the second-mentioned blade in a way which places its light guide in optical communication with the light source carried by the handle while causing the power supply to energize this latter light source.

Abstract: An improved laryngoscope having a blade which is curved and tubular and has an improved light means for illuminating the forward end of the blade. In a number of embodiments of the laryngoscope, a light source is mounted in the upper end of the handle of the laryngoscope so the handle can be used with a conventional laryngoscope blade or a non-conventional laryngoscope blade. In one embodiment, the light source is carried by an adapter removably mounted on the handle near the location where the handle and blade are interconnected.

Abstract: A laryngoscope is disclosed herein and includes a handle and a separate disposable blade which is designed to incorporate a number of specific features. One of these features resides in the way in which the blade is disengagably connected to its associated handle for the first time so as to damage a component of the blade sufficient to discourage its use a second time, but without preventing it from being used in the proper way the first time. In accordance with another feature, the blade includes an integrally formed main body which defines an open ended passageway for containing a light guide. This passageway is configured to define the arc of a circle so that the blade body including this passageway can be manufactured by means of an uncomplicated molding process.

Abstract: A laryngoscope having a curved blade provided with means on the blade for removably holding an endotracheal tube and for guiding such tube into the pharynx, larynx and trachea of a patient after the blade has been inserted into the throat and has elevated the epiglottis. The blade has a slot extending along one margin for direct viewing into the pharynx during initial insertion of the blade. The blade also has a light source and a fiber optic viewing member near its outer end to permit remote indirect viewing of the epiglottis and larynx when direct viewing is no longer possible due to curvature of the pharynx and the blade. The fiber optic viewing member can either be removably attached to the blade or permanently attached thereto. Also, the blade can be of a material which can be flexed so that the blade is adjustable in shape to accommodate different pharangeal configurations of various patients.