Endoscopy device

Abstract

An endoscopy device for facilitating use of an endoscope, comprising at least one airway tube and a mask having a distal end, a proximal end and a peripheral formation .xi.beta.) capable of conforming to, and fitting within, the actual and potential space behind the larynx of the patient to form a seal around the circumference of the laryngeal inlet, the peripheral formation establishing separation between a laryngeal; chamber side and a pharyngeal side, the device further comprising a conduit adapted for passage of an endoscope into the oesophagus of a patient when mask is in place, conduit including a distal end for cooperation with the oesophageal sphincter, the conduit having a laryngeal side, a pharyngeal side, a right side and a left side, and an outlet wherein at the outlet the width between the left side and the right side is smaller than the width of the conduit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14 / 911,712, filed Feb. 11, 2016, which is a national stage entry of International patent application PCT / IB2014 / 001667, filed Aug. 15, 2014, which claims priority to foreign United Kingdom patent application No. 1314631.1, filed Aug. 15, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an endoscopy device, and more particularly to an endoscopy device that also provides an airway.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Certain surgical and diagnostic endoscopy procedures require the insertion of instruments or viewing devices into the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient. For example, in endoscopy an endoscope is passed directly through the mouth of the patient, into the oesophagus and down to the stomach and duodenum. The endoscope includes at its tip a light and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an endoscopy device that can safely and accurately insert an endoscope into a patient's oesophagus while establishing an airway to protect from regurgitation or vomiting. The device includes a connector that securely attaches to a bite block, providing a stable attachment point for a strap mount. The device is designed to be guided through the upper oesophageal sphincter and is flexible to track the posterior curvature of the throat of the patient. The use of this device in combination with an endoscope is safer and allows for longer periods of time of endoscopy insertion.

Problems solved by technology

A number of problems can be experienced with procedures such as endoscopy that require insertion of instruments or viewing devices blind and under manual force into a patient's oesophagus.

Firstly, the use of local anaesthetics and sedatives is undesirable in some patients and may cause cardio respiratory complications, including small variations in a patients vital signs to arrhythmias, respiratory arrest, myocardial infarction, shock and possibly even death (page 7, Complications of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Riley and Alderson, BSG Guidelines in Gastroenterology, November 2006).

In addition, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy may cause problems such as infection, perforation or in some cases, bleeding.

Furthermore, it is known that therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy often takes a longer amount of time than diagnostic endoscopy.

In addition, in many cases the use of such a technique may be more uncomfortable for the patient concerned and may require a greater level of intravenous sedation, which combined with intravenous analgesia, may cause cardio respiratory complications (page 8, Complications of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Riley and Alderson, BSG Guidelines in Gastroenterology, November 2006).

In addition, following upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, patients may experience some minor discomfort to the throat and abdomen.

This typically Causes problems during general anaesthesia as it may interfere with and obstruct the breathing of the patient, due to the fact that little or no air supply is provided.

This may result in less information being obtained during the investigative procedure, may be dangerous to the patient and may result in increased costs being incurred.

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