Submergible laryngoscope metallic housing for fiber optics power source

Claim 1

In a fluid submersible laryngoscope including a hollow handle to contain power supply means, a blade to be inserted into a patient's mouth and having light transmitting means, and means to removably attach the blade to an end portion of the handle in substantially L-shape configuration, the improvement comprising: (a) a light source carried by the handle at said handle end portion, (b) means to place the light source in electrically energizing relation with the power supply means, and when the blade is attached to the handle, to direct light into the light transmitting means carried by the blade, (c) and first fluid sealing means between the light source and handle to block access of external fluid into the hollow handle proximate the light source whether or not the blade is attached to the handle, and when the handle is submerged in fluid, (d) the light source having two terminals, one of which extends lengthwise within said body toward the power source, for electrical connection therewith, and the other of which extends toward the blade to establish electrical connection therewith when the blade is detachably secured to the handle, (e) said fluid sealing means comprising a tubular elastomeric body carrying said light source, said light source including a bulb exposed at the end of said body nearest to the blade, said elastomeric body forming a recess at the body end nearest the blade, and including a reflector carried by said body and located in said recess, the bulb also extending in said recess, the reflector and bulb oriented to direct light toward said light transmitting means carried by the blade, and said other terminal extending in said elastomeric body, (f) said other terminal having sealed relation with said elastomeric body, and defining a terminus exposed at one end of the elastomeric body for contact with said blade when the blade attaches to the handle.