A new video laryngoscope.

Abstract

I read with great interest the correspondence on the use of a video-monitored laryngoscope to facilitate training in the correct method of applying cricoid pressure (Asai et al. Anaesthesia 2003; 58: 602–3). I agree with the assertion that use of a device that enables the view of the glottis to be displayed on a video screen is useful for teaching purposes. The principal drawback using the systems currently available is that the fibreoptics comes into contact with bodily secretions (such arrangements are disclosed in US patent 6354 993, published US patent application 2002/0022769, Japanese patent publication 2000–175867 and US patent application 2001/0023312). These options are expensive and therefore discourage blade disposability. They require sterilisation between uses and this limits the use of the equipment as a teaching adjunct. In more recent times, the use of disposable blades has become common in order to avoid sterilisation procedures between patients (US patent 5879 304). I have designed a novel disposable blade with the object of providing a laryngoscope blade that is capable of being used with a camera and suited to be made in a disposable form (Provisional Patent AU 2003902523). The invention provides a laryngoscope blade, including a blade body; a camera channel extending along the inside of the body of the blade; and a transparent cover located at the distal end of the blade for closing the end of the camera channel (2, 3). Display mounted on handle of laryngoscope. Video-assisted laryngoscopy. The camera channel and the transparent cover provide a sealed channel enabling selective insertion and removal of the camera into and from the channel. The transparent cover provides a window through which the camera may be used to view a region about the distal end of the blade. The camera is mounted in a tube small enough to fit into the camera channel. The camera tube houses a camera chip and a key system to ensure correct orientation of the camera following insertion. The blade includes an illumination means in the form of a bulb, a LED or a light guide. The blade body mounts onto a handle in the traditional manner. A display is mounted onto the handle, for displaying images received from the camera. The prototype used a liquid crystal display. The display is attached to the handle by a pivoting or swing arm, allowing rotation of the screen to increase visibility to the user. The handle houses batteries for powering the camera, the display and the means of illumination. The novel laryngoscope blade functions entirely normally when mounted on a standard laryngoscope handle. I believe that by overcoming the need for sterilizing the camera or fibreoptic element, by the use of a cheap disposable laryngoscope blade, video-monitored laryngoscopy should become a more practical proposition.