The purpose of a laryngoscope is to aid in intubation by opening the airways and provide light to enable the user to pass an endotracheal tube through the vocal cords, securing the airway and providing ventilation to the lungs. Orotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy is the method of airway management in critically ill and injured patients, as well as patients undergoing all types of surgery in which general anesthesia is used. Intubation is performed by anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, emergency medicine and critical care physicians, dentists and maxillofacial surgeons, veterinarians, and in out-of-hospital setting by paramedics; at present, intubation and ventilation are crucial to treating patients with severe cases of COVID-19.
Description
This device is a new laryngoscope design with a flowering blade consisting of several crescent-shaped, hard rubber extrusions that are mechanically activated to open a patient’s airway. Once the device is properly inserted into the oropharynx, the laryngoscope arms, each equipped with lights, ‘flower’ open to create a lighted passageway for observation and intubation. Instead of prying the airway open with a hard metal bar, the improved design will incorporate a less abrasive hard rubber that will minimize soft tissue damage and overall patient discomfort.
Applications
· Airway management in critically ill and injured patients, especially in patients with pneumonia resulting from severe cases of COVID-19
· Airway management for patients undergoing any surgery in which general anesthesia is used
Advantages
· Better lighting and view of vocal cords
· Softer surface contact with tissues
· Design is flexible, reducing risk of injury
· Reduced risk of misplaced tube
· Less expensive than camera-based scopes
Invention Readiness
Prototype
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US8814787B2
