Laryngoscope with disposable blade cover

Abstract

A laryngoscope for use with a disposable blade cover is provided. The laryngoscope comprises a handle and a blade. The laryngoscope further comprises an actuator system for selectively securing the disposable blade cover about at least a portion of the blade.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A laryngoscope comprising:
 a. a handle;   b. a blade portion comprising:
 i. an elongated portion; and 
 ii. a mounting portion configured to position the elongated portion relative to the handle, wherein the mounting portion comprises side walls having an exterior surface, and wherein at least one of the side walls comprises at least one aperture extending through the wall; 
   c. a disposable sleeve comprising a proximal end and a spaced distal end, wherein at least a portion of the distal end of the disposable sleeve comprises at least one cavity configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the elongated portion of the blade, and wherein the proximal end of the disposable sleeve comprises at least one latching cavity;
 and 
   d. an actuator system configured to selectively move between:
 i. an extended position configured to selectively secure the disposable sleeve over at least a portion of the elongated portion of the blade; and 
 ii. a retracted position configured to allow for the selective removal of the disposable sleeve from the elongated portion. 
   
   
   
       18 . The laryngoscope of  claim 17 , wherein the disposable sleeve is securably attached to the blade when the actuator is in the extended position. 
   
   
       19 . The laryngoscope of  claim 18 , wherein the actuator comprises at least one pin or protrusion configured to complementarily engage with the at least one latching cavity. 
   
   
       20 . The laryngoscope of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one aperture is configured to allow the at least one pin or protrusion to engage with a complementary latching cavity. 
   
   
       21 . The laryngoscope of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one pin or protrusion is enclosed or partially enclosed within the interior of the mounting portion. 
   
   
       22 . The laryngoscope of  claim 17 , wherein the actuator comprises a motor or solenoid. 
   
   
       23 . The laryngoscope of  claim 22 , wherein the actuator comprises a switching mechanism engageable by a user to allow selective activation of the pins or protrusions between their extended or retracted positions. 
   
   
       24 . The laryngoscope of  claim 23 , wherein the switching mechanism comprises a button or switch. 
   
   
       25 . The laryngoscope of  claim 18 , wherein the disposable sleeve comprises two latching cavities, the actuator comprises two pins or protrusions, and the mounting portion comprises two apertures configured to allow the pins or protrusions to securably engage the disposable sleeve to the blade when the actuator is in the extended position. 
   
   
       26 . The laryngoscope of  claim 17 , wherein the mounting portion further comprises an ejector mechanism configured to eject the disposable sleeve away from the mounting portion and along the length of the elongated portion. 
   
   
       27 . The laryngoscope of  claim 26 , wherein the ejector mechanism comprises a spring member or spring assist. 
   
   
       28 . The laryngoscope of  claim 17 , wherein the blade is selectively movable in an arc between a first position and a second position. 
   
   
       29 . The laryngoscope of  claim 17 , wherein the side walls of the mounting portion comprise two generally parallel side walls, and wherein each side wall has a predetermined thickness and a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade in its first position. 
   
   
       30 . A laryngoscope comprising:
 a. a handle;   b. a blade having an elongated portion and a mounting portion, the mounting portion being configured to position the elongated portion relative to the handle, wherein the mounting portion comprises side walls having an exterior surface, and wherein at least one of the side walls defines at least one aperture extending therethrough the wall;   c. a disposable blade cover comprising a proximal end and a spaced distal end, wherein at least a portion of the distal end of the disposable blade cover defines at least one cavity configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the elongated portion of the blade, and wherein the proximal end of the disposable blade cover defines at least one latching cavity; and   d. an actuator system comprising at least one latching pin or protrusion, each latching pin or protrusion being configured to pass through one aperture of the mounting portion and be at least partially received by the at least one latching cavity and wherein the actuator system is configured to selectively move the at least one latching pin or protrusion between an extended position that is configured to selectively secure the disposable blade cover over at least a portion of the elongated portion of the blade, in which each latching pin or protrusion extends through one aperture outwardly away from the exterior surface of the side wall and at least partially extends therein the at least one latching cavity, and a retracted position configured to allow for the selective removal of the disposable blade cover from the elongated portion of the blade, in which each latching pin or protrusion is retracted within the aperture and below a plane of the exterior surface of the side wall.   
   
   
       31 . The laryngoscope of  claim 30 , further comprising an ejector mechanism positioned on the mounting portion and configured to eject the disposable blade cover away from the mounting portion and along the length of the elongated portion. 
   
   
       32 . The laryngoscope of  claim 31 , wherein the ejector mechanism comprises a spring securably attached to the mounting portion and positioned between the mounting portion and the proximal end of the disposable blade cover. 
   
   
       33 . The laryngoscope of  claim 32 , wherein the spring is held in compression between a distal end of the disposable blade cover and the mounting portion when the at least one latching pin or protrusion is in the extended position, and wherein the spring is released when the at least one latching pin or protrusion is in the retracted position to eject the disposable blade cover along the elongated portion of the blade. 
   
   
       34 . The laryngoscope of  claim 30 , wherein the side walls of the mounting portion comprise two generally parallel side walls, and wherein each side wall has a predetermined thickness and a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade in its first position. 
   
   
       35 . The laryngoscope of  claim 30 , wherein the actuator system comprises a means for selectively driving the at least one latching pin or protrusion. 
   
   
       36 . The laryngoscope of  claim 35 , wherein the means for selectively driving the at least one latching pin or protrusion comprises:
 a. a cam that is operatively coupled to the at least one latching pin or protrusion such that selective rotation of the cam causes selective movement of the at least one latching pin or protrusion between its respective retracted position and extended position; and   b. a means for rotating the cam, wherein the means for rotating the cam comprises a motor having a shaft that is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.