Laryngoscope
A laryngoscope is a medical device typically used during a surgical procedure. It is typically used by an anesthetist to assist in the intubation of a patient. Laryngoscopes are widely known and used in the medical field to facilitate endotracheal intubation of a patient during an emergency situation to provide a positive air passageway for the mechanical ventilation of the lungs of the injured person. Such laryngoscopes are also used during surgical procedures to provide a passageway for the administration of anesthesia. Intubation is the insertion of a tube into the larynx for the passage of a gas such as an anesthetizing gas. In anesthesia, a laryngoscope is simultaneously used for introducing a tube, for example an anesthetic tube, with the aid of the laryngoscope into the patient's trachea under visual control in order to be able to supply the patient with air during anesthesia. The process of introducing a tube into the trachea can be considerably simplified by a laryngoscope. Intubation requires the insertion of a flexible tube through the oral cavity, the oropharynx, and into the trachea. It is essential that the practitioner inserting the tube have a clear view of the epiglottis and the vocal chords to enable the practitioner to guide the tube into the trachea without injury to the patient. Laryngoscopes are used particularly for direct instrumental inspection of the larynx as well as for endolaryngeal surgical interventions. Laryngoscopes are basically broken down into fixed and spreadable laryngoscopes. Laryngoscopes may be comprised of a single blade, which may be straight or curved for guiding the tube into the trachea, or comprised of two blades. A dual-bladed laryngoscope has two opposing blades that are connected by a pair of hinge points, and each blade has a handle in proximate relationship to each other for opening distal ends of the blades which then open a passageway through a patient's mouth and larynx into which an endotracheal tube may be passed. Laryngoscopes are often fitted with a light for illuminating the passageway for easier insertion of the laryngoscope and the intubation tube. A standard laryngoscope comprises a stainless steel handle and a laryngoscope blade. The handle houses batteries as a power source for a light that is attached to the blade. One end of the laryngoscope blade is releasably secured at a generally right angle to the handle. The attachment point closes the electrical connection between the battery and the light. The practitioner inserts the blade into the throat through the oral opening with the aid of the light which is attached proximal to the other end of the blade. When using the device to view the larynx, the surface on the blade adjacent the handle is used to press against the tongue and mandible of a patient in a supine position in order to prevent the patient's tongue from obstructing the view during the visual examination. While the instrument is useful in examining the larynx, the primary function of the laryngoscope is to expose the larynx in order to facilitate the insertion of an endotracheal tube into the trachea of the lungs to administer gases. The medical professional will position the blade portion of the laryngoscope in the oropharynx of a patient in an attempt to gain access to the patient's airway. During this step the light source on the blade portion will illuminate and give the medical professional an improved view of the patient's airway.
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