Glidescope Video Laryngoscope

The Glidescope is a medical device designed to assist airway management by application of CMOS video cameras to a redesigned classical rigid laryngoscope to provide an improved view. The device is used for tasks associated with airway management. These tasks include placement of endotracheal tubes into the trachea to provide controlled mechanical ventilation and removal of foreign bodies in the airway. The 60 degree angulation of the blade provides access by reducing the need to remove the tongue from the line of sight to the larynx.

New Variants of the Technology

The Glidescope Ranger is a variant designed for use in pre-hospital airway management including air, land, and sea applications. This device is 1.5 lb weight, water proof, and airworthy to 20,000 feet altitude.

The Glidescope Cobalt is a variant that has a reusable video camera with light emitting core which has a disposable or single use external shell for prevention of cross infection.

There are a number of new video laryngoscopes now available including the Pentax AWS, the McGrath Laryngoscope, The storz C-Mac and these devices offer slightly varying benefits, The AWS for example has a channel for guiding passage of the endotracheal tube.

References

* Cooper RM, Pacey JA, Bishop MJ, McClusky SA Early clinical experience with a new videolaryngoscope (Glidescope(R)) in 728 patients . Canadian J Anesthesiology 52(6) :661 2005.