HISTORY OF LARYNGOSCOPES

Laryngoscope is a medical instrument that is used to obtain a view of the vocal folds and the glottis, which is the space between the cords. The first laryngoscope was invented in 1854 by Manuel Patricio Rodríguez García. Modern day laryngoscope systems initially began in early 1940s by Foregger, Co. USA.

A Laryngoscope basically has two components - an interchangeable hook on blade and a battery handle. The Blade is hooked on to handle hinge pin, then rotated to 90° positions, which make contact between the blade heel and the handle top - turning the lamp ON.

CONVENTIONAL LIGHT LARYNGOSCOPES:- Blades have its lamp near the blade distal end and have an electrical connection to illuminate the lamp, powered by batteries in handle.

FIBRE OPTIC LIGHT LARYNGOSCOPES:- Advancement in newer lighting technologies eliminated electric wires, lamps & contacts from blade thus producing a very dependable, cold and brighter illumination. Our F/O handles are fitted with latest LED / XENON lamps that produce excellent light, which follows a quartz glass fiber optic bundle or plastic bundle along the blade to illuminate a patient's oral cavity.

In an attempt to visualize the Larynx and facilitate insertion of Endotracheal Tube, literally hundreds of blade profiles and sizes have been made or suggested. However all blades fall into modification of Two general shapes:

CURVED BLADES: The most common and popular blade was suggested by Sir Robert Macintosh, MD in 1941. In this design the blade tip is advanced to the base of patient's epiglottis, then lifting slightly, the vocal cords are visualized in order for the Endotracheal tube to be inserted.

STRAIGHT BLADES: The other most common blade was described by William Miller, MD. In this design using a straight blade, the tip is advanced just past the patient's epiglottis. The blade is then raised lifting the epiglottis thus exposing the vocal cords allowing the endotracheal tube to be inserted along the flange into the larynx.

These above two profiles have been produced into English, American & German profiles.