Ventilating Endoscopes

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a laryngoscope of the universal or preferred type of the present invention having a side entrainment arm and schematically showing the supplies connected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a laryngoscope for use in ventilating during laryngoscopy under intravenous anesthesia.

FIG. 3 is a representation of a bronchoscope having an entrainment duct.

FIG. 4 is a representation of a bronchoscope for use in bronchoscopy under intravenous anesthesia.

FIG. 5 is a detail of ventilating endoscope apparatus with a distal end configured for connection to one of several attachment endoscopes.

Throughout the drawings where possible, like numbers represent similar elements.

Oxygen at 60 psi is supplied at input connection 1. An adjustable pressure regulator 2 contains the oxygen supply at the desired pressure. Interrupting apparatus 3 provides intermittent flow of the oxygen toward the inlet 4, which is connected to the endoscope so that air is drawn through the scope from the proximal end 5 toward the distal end. In modifications such as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the inlet means comprises the high pressure oxygen inlet 4 which is connected in the entrainment duct 6.

Referring to FIG. 1, a tube 7 connects the entrainment duct 6 with a one-way valve 8 on the outlet of collapsible container 9. As pressure is supplied through inlet 4, fluid is drawn from container 9 through the one-way valve 8 and entrainment duct 6 into the scope. Anesthetic vapors are supplied to the collapsible reservoir bag 9 from vaporizer 10 which is in turn supplied with oxygen from flow meter 11 and oxygen tank 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, a universal or preferred type of laryngoscope is generally indicated by the numeral 20. Scope 20 comprises a cylindrical wall 22, which defines a lumen 24. Wall 22 has an opening 26 to which is connected the inlet means, which comprises entrainment arm 6 and high pressure inlet 4. As shown in the drawing, inlet 4 opens near a distal point 28 of the juncture or confluence of entrainment arm 6 and lumen 24. For releasing pressurized gas into the lumen in a direction of the distal end 30 of scope 20 at a small acute angle with an axis of the lumen the angle may be 10.degree. or less. In that manner, ambient fluid which is air is entrained through proximal end 5 and fluid is entrained from entrainment duct 6 into the scope and out through distal end 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, a respirator 32 has pressure regulating control 2 and intermittent feed control 3.

A laryngoscope generally indicated by the numeral 40 is shown in FIG. 2. A cylindrical wall 42 surrounds lumen 44. Pressurized gas inlet 4 is connected to wall 42 near proximal end 5 of the scope. The pressure inlet 4 releases oxygen into lumen 44 through hole 46 in wall 42. Hole 46 opens into lumen 44 at a very small angle with the axis of the lumen in a direction of distal end 48. The angle may be 10.degree. or less, preferably less. Oxygen pressure is intermittently supplied by hand-controlled blowgun 3 from pressure regulator 2. A handle which is not part of the invention is shown in dashed lines.

A bronchoscope is generally referred to by the numeral 50 in FIG. 3. A cylindrical wall 52 encloses a lumen 54 in the open-ended bronchoscope. An inlet means generally indicated by the numeral 56 is connected to an opening in wall 52 near proximal end 5 of bronchoscope 50. The oulet end 58 of pressurized gas inlet 4 is mounted near a distal point 60 of an intersection of entrainment duct 5 and lumen 54. Pressurized gas is released from end 58 of inlet 4, entraining air through proximal end 5 and air or medical gasses and vapors through entrainment duct 6 and forcing the mixed air and vapors or gasses out of distal end 62.

A simple handle 64 is provided at the proximal end 5 of scope 50.

As shown in FIG. 4, bronchoscope 70 has a cylindrical wall 52 which surrounds lumen 74. Pressure inlet 4 extends into a hole 76 in wall 72 near proximal end 5. Preferably, the hole 76 forms an acute angle with an axis of lumen 74 at about 10.degree. or less. Pressurized gas, usually oxygen, released through hole 76, entrains air through proximal end 5, thereby forcing air and gas through distal end 78.

In FIG. 5 a ventillating endoscope apparatus is generally indicated by the numeral 80. Wall 82 surrounds lumen 84. An inlet means is generally indicated by the numeral 86. End 88 of pressure inlet 4 opens near distal portion 90 of an inner section of entrainment duct 6 with lumen 84. Pressurized gas released from opening 88 entrains fluid from duct 6 and from open proximal end 5. Distal end 92 of endoscope 80 is configured for attachment to proximal ends of scopes of varied lengths, sizes or shapes.

Although the invention has been described with specific reference to preferred embodiments, modifications and variations may be made without departing from the invention. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims.