Abstract: The present invention contemplates a new device for adjustably attaching a tongue blade to an endoscope. In general, the device secures a tongue blade holder to the body of an endoscope and permits adjustment of the angle of the tongue blade with respect to the light source of the endoscope. Typically, the device has a clamp for receiving an endoscope body near the juncture of the handle and the light source of the endoscope. The clamp has a fastener for securing the clamp to the outer surface of the endoscope body and may be adapted for use with endoscopes somewhat larger or smaller in cross section than the clamp opening. The clamp has an attached tongue blade holder pivotably attached to the clamp and securable at an angle relative to the endoscope light source. The device also has several surfaces for the display of graphics.

Abstract: A fastening element is provided for securing a rod-shaped element to a shaft of a medical instrument. The fastening element comprises a bracket for engaging at least partially the circumference of the rod-shaped element, where the bracket can be inserted into a side opening of the shaft portion. The fastening element further comprises a tensioning mechanism, which when actuated draws the bracket in the direction out of the opening, thereby clamping the rod-shaped element to the shaft portion. The clamping force of the tensioning mechanism for clamping the rod-shaped element is continuously adjustable when actuating the tensioning mechanism.

Abstract: A laryngoscope includes a body portion having a receiving portion for receiving an elongate blade adapted to be inserted into a patient's month. The laryngoscope also includes a handle that is pivotally connected to the receiving portion and spaced apart from the receiving portion in the direction of the pivoting axis. The handle is pivotable about the axis between a folded position where the handle extends substantially parallel to the blade, and a working condition where the handle extends substantially transverse to the blade.

Abstract: An intubating laryngoscope providing a standard handle, ready interchangeability of standard blades, a camera, and a magnifiable video display for easier and safer use in efficiently positioning an endotracheal tube through the vocal cords of a patient into the trachea, and for recordation in order to teach the procedure and for legal purposes.

Abstract: A laryngeal blade assembly for a laryngoscope includes a light pipe assembly releasably attachable to a blade, the light being disposed along a major dimension of the blade. The light pipe assembly includes a support which fixedly retains the light pipe, the support further including a bore sized for receiving a non-axially disposed engagement member of the blade. The bore includes a first receiving cavity which is sized to receive the engagement member and a contiguous second receiving cavity having a slotted portion sized to receive only an undercut portion of the engagement member. The support can be axially shifted between the first and the second contiguous cavities to effect attachment and release of the light pipe assembly in a toolless fashion.

Abstract: A fibre-optic laryngoscope spatula (1) having a light-exiting first end and an opposite second end and comprising a base part (1) and an exchangeable light-guide part (8) having a first spring-loaded coupling member (14). The base part (1) and the light-guide part (8) are designed to fit precisely together in such a way that the light-guide part (1) can be pushed into the base part (1) from the second end as far as an end position and can be pushed out of the base part (1) from the end position in the opposite direction. When in the end position, the light-guide part (8) and the base part (1) are connected to one another by means of a snap connection and have interengaging surface parts which do not allow relative movement between the base part and light-guide part in any other than the push-out direction. Furthermore, when in the end position, at least one snap connection force has to be overcome in order to allow relative movement between the base part (1) and light-guide part (8) in the push-out direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a laryngoscope comprising a handle member having an upper portion and an internal cavity portion. The laryngoscope further comprises a blade member having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the blade member is removably connected to the upper portion of the handle member. The laryngoscope further comprises a fiber optic cable having first and second ends extending from the first end portion of the blade member to substantially the second end portion of the blade member. The laryngoscope further comprises a light source removably disposed within the internal cavity of the handle member. The light source comprises a light emitting portion in communication with the first end of the fiber optic cable through the upper portion of the handle member to thereby transmit light through the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A laryngoscope constructed of materials including metal components having very low magnetic susceptibilities is described. The battery powering the laryngoscope lamp is a lithium battery also constructed of materials having low magnetic susceptibilities. The battery further includes a unique terminal configuration that prevents the inadvertent use of other batteries, including non-magnetic batteries, in the laryngoscope. A unique lamp retaining mechanism provides for quick and easy replacement of the lamp.

Abstract: A laryngeal blade assembly includes a light pipe assembly attached to a blade having a light pipe disposed along a major dimension of the blade. The light pipe assembly is releasably attached to the blade in a non-axial direction in relation to the major dimension, wherein said light pipe assembly can be released from the blade without the aid of tools. The light pipe assembly includes a supporting block for fixedly retaining the light pipe. The supporting block has a bore disposed in a non-axial direction to the major dimension of the blade. A non-axial member fixedly attached to the blade and sized for engaging the bore includes an undercut portion. An annular engagement member is fitted within said undercut portion for engaging the bore to allow the release of the light pipe assembly when a predetermined holding force is exceeded.

Abstract: A disposable plastic laryngoscope blade is detachably connectable to a hook-on-type conventional metallic laryngoscope handle in conformity with International Standard ISO-7376-1. The blade comprises a rigid plastic housing having a lower, tongue-engaging flange section extending along the length thereof, an upper, teeth-engaging flange section, and web sections interconnecting the upper and lower flanges to form a hollow cavity; an electric bulb having a rating of about 2 to about 2.5 Volts and about 0.35 to about 0.

Abstract: A disposable laryngoscope blade connects to a handle especially to facilitate endotracheal intubation of a patient. The blade includes a base portion that attaches to the handle, and an elongated blade portion extends from a proximal end to terminate in a distal tip. The blade portion is arcuate and flattened so as to have a flat upper wall and a flat lower wall joined at lateral edges, and the lateral edges converge toward the distal tip. The blade includes a passageway therethrough so that a vacuum source may attach to a nipple near the proximal end and an inlet port is formed near the distal tip so that fluids may pass through the blade portion. The handle carries a battery power source and electrical contacts. The base portion of the blade also has contacts so that, when the blade is mounted a circuit is completed to power a light source disposed on the blade portion.

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: Improved plastic laryngoscope blade providing increased resistance to torsional deformation and for being coupled to a laryngoscope handle, the blade includes a plastic body including a generally curved spatula portion, a web portion extending outwardly from an edge portion of the spatula portion, and a flange portion extending inwardly from an outer portion of the web portion and residing at least partially over a portion of the spatula portion, and a coupling provided on an end of the spatula portion for coupling the blade to the handle.

Abstract: A handgrip for an electro-optical diagnostic-device set comprises a tubularly-shaped battery housing (10) for receiving variously-shaped energy sources (31, 33, 36, 38) therein to energize a lamp of an instrument head at a second end of the tubularly-shaped battery housing. There is a set of releasable end covers 40 for an opposite, first, end of the tubularly-shaped battery housing, with each of the end covers having a substantially identical cover attaching element (42) as that of the other end covers for mating with an opposite housing attaching element of the housing, but with each end cover being shaped differently from the other end covers, so as to accommodate an energy source different from energy sources accommodated by the other end covers.

Abstract: A laryngoscope handle includes a switch assembly for creating an electrical circuit between a lamp and a battery when a laryngoscope blade attached to the handle is moved into a working position.