Disposable, Self-Contained Laryngoscope and Method of Using Same

Abstract

A laryngoscope has a handle, a rigid cylindrical tube, and an optical subassembly. The handle has a distal end and a proximate end. The tube is hollow and also has a distal end having a distal opening and a proximate end having a proximate opening. The optical subassembly includes a light source located within the handle, a power source located within the handle and in communication with the light source and a light carrier extending between the handle and the tube and in communication with the light source and providing light inside and along the entire length of the tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laryngoscope comprising:
 a handle;   a tube constructed of a translucent material and having a proximal end coupled with the handle, a distal end including a distal opening, and an interior extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and   an optical subassembly providing light into the interior of the tube so that a first portion of the light exits the interior of the tube via the distal opening and a second portion of the light propagates into the translucent material to illuminate the tube.   
     
     
         2 . The laryngoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the optical subassembly further comprises:
 a light source located within the handle;   a power source located within the handle and in communication with the light source; and   a light carrier extending between the handle and the tube and in communication with the light source, the light carrier for providing light into the interior of the tube.   
     
     
         3 . The laryngoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the translucent material is a transparent material. 
     
     
         4 . The laryngoscope of  claim 1 , further comprising a strip of protective material located on the tube adjacent to the proximate end of the tube. 
     
     
         5 . The laryngoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the tube further comprises a proximal opening, the proximal opening and the distal opening cooperating with one another to define a line of sight through the tube. 
     
     
         6 . An emergency airway kit for clearing a patient's airway, comprising:
 a bougie, a suction catheter, and a laryngoscope configured to work together, the laryngoscope comprising:
 a handle; 
 a tube constructed of a translucent material and having a proximal end connectable with the handle, a distal end including a distal opening, and an interior extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and 
 an optical subassembly having a light source and a power source for providing light into the interior of the tube such that a first portion of the light exits the tube via the distal opening and a second portion of the light propagates into the translucent material to illuminate the tube. 
   
     
     
         7 . The laryngoscope of  claim 6 , wherein the translucent material is a transparent material. 
     
     
         8 . The laryngoscope of  claim 6 , further comprising a strip of protective material located on the tube adjacent to the proximate end of the tube. 
     
     
         9 . The laryngoscope of  claim 6 , wherein the tube further comprises a proximal opening, the proximal opening and the distal opening cooperating with one another to define a line of sight through the tube. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 inserting a cylindrical tube of a laryngoscope into a patient's throat via the patient's mouth, the cylindrical tube being constructed of a translucent material and having a proximal end coupled with a handle and including a proximal opening, a distal end including a distal opening, and an interior extending from the proximal end to the distal end;   activating an optical subassembly having at least one light source to provide light into the interior of the tube such that a first portion of the light exits the tube via the distal opening and a second portion of the light propagates into the translucent material to illuminate the tube; and   removing the cylindrical tube from the patient's throat via the patient's mouth.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 inserting a bougie between vocal cords of the patient via the tube; and   inserting an endotracheal tube into a trachea of the patient over the bougie.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising disposing of the laryngoscope after a single use.