Laryngoscope

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a laryngoscope may include forming a blade being straight and having a handle side and a non-handle side, the blade including a structure that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and configured to connect to a handle at the proximal end. A first channel may be formed through the structure. The first channel may be configured to enable optical signals to pass therethrough. The first channel may include (i) a first aperture disposed at the proximal end of the first channel and (ii) a second aperture disposed at the distal end of the first channel. The second aperture may be oriented at an offset angle toward the handle side such that images captured via the second aperture are at the offset angle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a laryngoscope, comprising:
 forming a blade being straight and having a handle side and a non-handle side, the blade including a structure that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and configured to connect to a handle at the proximal end; and   forming a first channel through the structure, the first channel configured to enable optical signals to pass therethrough, the first channel including (i) a first aperture disposed at the proximal end of the first channel and (ii) a second aperture disposed at the distal end of the first channel, the second aperture oriented at an offset angle toward the handle side such that images captured via the second aperture are at the offset angle.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising connecting a lens at the second aperture, whereby a line-of-sight of the lens is in alignment with the line-of-sight of the second aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising inserting a first fiber optic line extending between the first aperture and second aperture via the first channel. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming the first channel includes forming the first channel with the offset angle of the second aperture being between approximately 10 degrees and approximately 40 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming a handle including an interface inclusive of a fifth aperture aligned with the first aperture of the first channel of the blade when connected thereto, and configured to be connected to the blade at the proximal end and extending from the handle side of the blade, the handle defining a cavity in which electronics are to be positioned;   positioning the electronics in the cavity of the handle, the electronics including a battery and a camera;   positioning the camera in optical communication with the fifth and first apertures, and configured to capture images that are collected via the second aperture, first channel, first aperture, and fifth aperture.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising forming a second channel through the structure of the blade, the second channel including (i) a third aperture disposed at the proximal end of the second channel and (ii) a fourth aperture disposed at the distal end of the second channel. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising positioning an illumination source within the cavity of the handle and in optical communication with the third aperture to communicate light signals into the second channel and out of the fourth aperture to enable the light signals to illuminate a scene being captured by a camera via the first channel. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising inserting a second fiber optic line extending between the third and fourth apertures via the second channel, and configured to communicate the light signals along the line-of-sight of the fourth aperture. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 inserting at least one electrical conductor extending between the third aperture and fourth aperture via the second channel; and   disposing an illumination source at the fourth aperture connected to at least one electrical conductor, thereby enabling the fourth illumination source to be controlled by electrical signals applied to the electrical conductor.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein forming the fourth aperture includes forming the fourth aperture at approximately the same offset angle as the second aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein positioning the electronics includes positioning wireless communications electronics configured to wirelessly communicate image signals captured by the camera. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming the straight blade includes forming the straight blade with side edges between surfaces on the handle side and non-handle side so as to define a horizontal profile, and wherein the horizontal profile tapers from the proximal end to the distal end. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein forming the straight blade includes forming the straight blade with a ratio of the taper along the horizontal profile being approximately 2:1. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming the straight blade includes forming the straight blade handle side and non-handle side surfaces so as to define a vertical profile that tapers from the proximal end to the distal end. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising forming a disposable cover that extends over the blade and handle. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming the blade includes forming the blade having a thickness of about 2.5 mm at the proximal end and about 1 mm at the distal end. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming the blade includes forming the blade having a length of approximately 80 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming the blade includes forming the blade having a width at the proximal end with of approximately 21 mm and taper to a distal end having a width of approximately 12 mm with a length of approximately 125 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming the blade includes forming the blade having:
 a thickness of about 2.5 mm at the proximal end and about 1 mm at the distal end;   a width at the proximal end of approximately 21 mm and taper to a distal end having a width of approximately 12 mm; and   a length of approximately 125 mm.   
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a laryngoscope, comprising:
 forming a blade being straight and having a handle side and a non-handle side, the blade including a structure that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and configured to connect to a handle at the proximal end; and   forming a first channel along the structure, the first channel configured to enable optical signals to pass therethrough, the first channel including (i) a first aperture disposed at the proximal end of the first channel and (ii) a second aperture disposed at the distal end of the first channel, the second aperture oriented at an offset angle toward the handle side such that images captured via the second aperture are at the offset angle.