Airway management and diagnostics

Abstract

A medical apparatus for airway management or diagnostics includes a sleeve with a distal end affixed to an outward-facing illumination device and a corresponding forward-facing imaging device, the sleeve including an open proximal end connecting a inner cavity to an outer space, the open proximal end to slidingly receive therethrough a distal end of an insertion tool suitable to be introduced into the airway of a subject. The sleeve additionally includes an inner surface around the inner cavity configured to wholly slide over and removably affix itself to the distal portion of the insertion tool. The medical apparatus additionally includes a communication mechanism operably connected to the imaging device configured to convey images from the imaging device to a remote device for displaying the images of the airway on the remote display device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical apparatus for airway management or diagnostics comprising:
 a sleeve with a distal end affixed to an outward-facing illumination device and a corresponding forward-facing imaging device, said sleeve comprising:
 an open proximal end connecting an inner cavity to an outer space, said open proximal end to slidingly receive therethrough a distal end of an insertion tool suitable to be introduced into an airway of a subject; 
 an inner surface around said inner cavity configured to wholly slide over and removably affix itself to the distal portion of said insertion tool; and 
   a communication mechanism operably connected to the imaging device and configured to convey images from said imaging device to a display device.   
     
     
         2 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said inner cavity comprises a tubular shape. 
     
     
         3 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said sleeve comprises an outer surface configured to removably affix the apparatus inside an endotracheal tube. 
     
     
         4 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said sleeve comprises an outer surface configured to removably affix the apparatus inside a supra-glottic airway device. 
     
     
         5 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said sleeve comprises an outer surface configured to removably affix the apparatus inside a laryngeal mask. 
     
     
         6 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said sleeve comprises an outer surface having at least one outwardly extending projection. 
     
     
         7 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said sleeve comprises an outer surface having a threaded portion. 
     
     
         8 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said sleeve comprises an outer surface having at least one spring. 
     
     
         9 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said sleeve comprises a foam sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said insertion tool comprises a stylet. 
     
     
         11 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said insertion tool comprises a tracheal introducer. 
     
     
         12 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said communication mechanism comprises wired communications means. 
     
     
         13 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said communication mechanism comprises wireless communications means. 
     
     
         14 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said imaging device comprises a video camera. 
     
     
         15 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is disposable. 
     
     
         16 . A medical apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a carbon dioxide sensor.