A new video intubating device: Trachway® intubating stylet

Abstract

Digital video intubation is providing a refreshing alternative to traditional endotracheal intubation in the 21st century. Video intubating devices, have been introduced into clinical practice including difficult airway management. We would like to introduce a new video intubating device: the Trachway® intubating stylet. The Trachway intubating stylet (Biotronic Instrument Enterprise Ltd., Tai Chung, Taiwan, China) is a new patented and FDA registered (product name: Clarus 30000-V Video Airway Endoscope; Regulation Number; 21 CFR 868.5730; Regulatory:Class II) video intubating stylet for tracheal intubation (Fig. 1). It has a rigid intubating stylet with adjustable angle. At the distal end of the stylet, there is a light source for illumination and an additional camera. The proximal end of the stylet can be plugged into the rechargeable handle. Visualisation of the laryngeal inlet and vocal cords via camera can be done externally, through the adjustable color monitor attached at the handle. For tracheal intubation, tracheal tube (internal diameter of 6.0–8.0 mm) is preloaded over the stylet. Both slide into position through the mouth to visualise the epiglottis, and then are guided to the glottic opening under direct visual control via the monitor. In manikins, in experienced hands, time to tracheal intubation is approximately 21–25 s, which is adequate for clinical use. Trachway® intubating stylet. At the distal end of the stylet, there is a light source and an additional camera for laryngeal visualisation. The proximal end of stylet is plugged into the handle. Visualisation is achieved through the adjustable monitor attached to the handle. The monitor angle is adjusted by the control knob.