Laryngoscope with means to restrict re-use of blades

Abstract

The invention relates to medical devices for carrying out internal examination, such as laryngoscopes ( 1 ). In particular, it relates to laryngoscopes ( 1 ) or devices which have a disposable blade ( 3 ) and provides means for restricting the re-use of blades ( 3 ) which have been used previously.

1 . A medical device comprising a body portion and a blade portion, wherein the blade portion is separable from the body portion, characterised by the medical device being provided with a spoiling means for indicating if a particular blade portion has already been attached to a body portion previously. 
     
     
         2 . A medical device as in  claim 1 , wherein the spoiling means will prevent reattachment of a blade that has already been attached to a body portion previously. 
     
     
         3 . A medical device as in  claim 1 , wherein the spoiling means will alert a user to a blade that has already been attached to a body portion previously. 
     
     
         4 . A medical device as in  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the spoiling means comprises a transmitting means and a receiving means in the body, which send and receive signals respectively with a receiving and transmitting means in the blade. 
     
     
         5 . A medical device as in  claim 4 , wherein the receiving means in the body can determine from the transmitting means in the blade, if the blade has previously been brought into close proximity of a body portion previously. 
     
     
         6 . A medical device as in  claim 4  or  5 , wherein the transmitting means is a radio frequency transmitter. 
     
     
         7 . A medical device as in  claims 4  to  6 , wherein the receiving means is a radio frequency receiver. 
     
     
         8 . A medical device as in  claims 4  to  7 , wherein the receiving means in the body will count the number of blades it contacts with. 
     
     
         9 . A medical device as in  claims 1  to  8 , wherein the spoiling means comprises a device for tripping electrical contacts to prevent their continued use. 
     
     
         10 . A medical device as in  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the spoiling means comprises elements that cause a physical change if a particular blade portion has already been attached to the body portion previously. 
     
     
         11 . A medical device as in  claim 10 , wherein the spoiling means comprises locking elements that break off when the blade and body are separated. 
     
     
         12 . A medical device as in  claim 11 , wherein the locking elements comprise a male protrusion and a female ingression, one of which is provided on the blade and one of which is provided on the body. 
     
     
         13 . A medical device as in  claim 12 , wherein the male protrusion is provided with a weakened section. 
     
     
         14 . A medical device as in  claim 12 , wherein the female ingression is provided with a weakened section.