Laryngoscope

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.

1 . A laryngoscope comprising a body portion having a receiving portion for receiving an elongate blade adapted to be inserted into a patient's mouth, and a handle pivotably connected to said receiving portion about an axis and spaced apart from said receiving portion in the direction of said axis, wherein when a blade is received in said receiving portion, the handle is pivotable about said axis between a folded condition in which the handle extends substantially parallel to the blade, and a working condition in which the handle extends substantially transversely to said blade.  
     
     
         2 . A laryngoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the position of at least one said blade in use relative to the receiving portion is adjustable in at least one orientation of the handle relative to the blade between said working and folded conditions.  
     
     
         3 . A laryngoscope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blade in use is gripped by said receiving portion in said working condition.  
     
     
         4 . A laryngoscope according to  claim 3 , wherein the receiving portion further comprises cam means and a set of jaws for gripping a said blade, wherein movement of said handle about said axis from said working condition to at least one orientation between said working and folded conditions moves said jaws further apart.  
     
     
         5 . A laryngoscope according to  claim 3  or  4 , wherein the blade is gripped by said receiving portion in said folded condition.  
     
     
         6 . A laryngoscope according to claims  4  and  5 , wherein movement of said handle from said at least one orientation into said folded condition moves said jaws closer together.  
     
     
         7 . A laryngoscope according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one said blade.  
     
     
         8 . A laryngoscope according to  claim 7 , further comprising illumination means including a light source located in at least one said blade.  
     
     
         9 . A laryngoscope according to  claim 8 , wherein the light source is located remotely from the distal end of said blade, and the laryngoscope further comprises light guide means for directing light from said light source to allocation adjacent the distal end of the blade.  
     
     
         10 . A laryngoscope according to  claim 8  or  9 , further comprising a power supply provided in the body portion for supplying electrical power to said light source.  
     
     
         11 . A laryngoscope according to  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of electrical terminals provided on at least one said blade for connecting said light source to said power supply.  
     
     
         12 . A laryngoscope according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle has a coating of elastomeric and/or polymeric material.  
     
     
         13 . A laryngoscope substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.