Laryngoscope

Description

• Handle: This component contains the power source, typically batteries, for the light. It is held by the operator during the procedure.
• Blade: The blade is inserted into the patient’s mouth to move the tongue out of the way and provide a clear view of the vocal cords and larynx. It is available in various sizes for both pediatric and adult patients.
  • Light Source: Integrated either at the tip of the blade or as a fiber-optic bundle within it, the light illuminates the area for clear visualization. 

• Macintosh (curved) blade: This is the most common type for adults. It is inserted into the vallecula (the space between the tongue and epiglottis) and, with an upward lift, raises the epiglottis to expose the vocal cords.
• Miller (straight) blade: This blade is commonly used for infants and is also available in adult sizes. It is passed over the top of the epiglottis and lifts it directly to reveal the larynx. 

• Video laryngoscope: Features a small camera at the blade’s tip that transmits a magnified view of the airway to a monitor. This is particularly useful for difficult intubations and for medical training.
• Flexible laryngoscope (fiber-optic): A thin, bendable scope is passed through the nose to examine the throat. It is often used for diagnostic purposes and for patients who cannot undergo full anesthesia.
• Rigid laryngoscope: A stiff, tube-like instrument used in the operating room, typically under general anesthesia, to provide a stable pathway for surgical procedures or the removal of foreign bodies. 

• Airway management: Allows for precise placement of an endotracheal tube in the trachea to secure a patient’s airway during surgery, in the intensive care unit, or in an emergency.
• Diagnosis and examination: Used by ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists to examine the larynx and vocal cords to find the cause of persistent hoarseness, throat pain, or swallowing difficulties.
• Biopsy and treatment: Small instruments can be passed through the scope to take tissue samples (biopsy), remove polyps or tumors, or retrieve foreign objects from the airway.
• Medical training: Video laryngoscopes, in particular, provide real-time visualization that allows medical students to observe and learn airway management techniques.