Laryngoscope

Quick Answer: A laryngoscope is an instrument with a handle and a lighted blade used to lift the tongue and epiglottis so the larynx can be seen, mainly for placing an endotracheal tube. In teaching it is used for intubation practice on airway manikins.

Handle, Blade and Light Source

The instrument has two parts. The handle usually holds batteries and connects to the blade by a hinged hook-on fitting; lifting the blade into its working position switches on the light. The blade either carries a small bulb near its tip or conducts light from a bulb in the handle through fibre optics. The listing does not state which system this unit uses, nor which blades are included.

Two blade shapes dominate. The curved Macintosh blade is placed in the space in front of the epiglottis (the vallecula) and lifts it indirectly. The straight Miller blade lifts the epiglottis directly and is common for infants and small children. Blades come in numbered sizes, from neonatal to large adult.

For teaching, students practise on adult or newborn intubation models: holding the handle in the left hand, inserting the blade from the right side of the mouth, sweeping the tongue aside and lifting along the line of the handle rather than levering on the teeth. Match the blade size to the manikin.

Specifications

Applications

• Intubation practice on adult and neonatal airway manikins in anaesthesia, emergency and nursing courses
• Teaching airway anatomy by showing the view of the vocal cords on a model
• Instrument identification and trolley preparation for OT technician students
• Refresher training in resuscitation skills labs

Care & Handling

• Detach the blade from the handle after use; clean and disinfect it according to its material and the lab’s procedure.
• Remove batteries if the laryngoscope will be stored for a long time, to prevent leakage in the handle.
• Check the light before each session; a loose or dim bulb is the most common fault.
• Do not immerse the handle unless the maker’s instructions allow it.

Why Choose LabEquip

Nursing and medical colleges, paramedic courses and skills centres order these for airway training stations. LabEquip lists this item in the Biology Lab Products range for teaching and skills-lab use and makes no claim about medical-device registration, so buyers equipping patient areas should state their regulatory requirements through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Macintosh and a Miller blade?

The Macintosh blade is curved and its tip sits in front of the epiglottis. The Miller blade is straight and lifts the epiglottis directly. Miller blades are common for infants.

How does the light switch on?

On standard hook-on designs the light comes on when the blade is clicked into the open, working position on the handle, and goes off when it is folded down.

Can one handle take different blades?

Standard hook-on handles and blades are generally interchangeable within the same fitting system. Bulb-on-blade and fibre-optic systems do not mix, so match them.

Why must the blade not be levered on the teeth?

Levering uses the upper teeth as a fulcrum and can break them. The correct movement is a lift along the axis of the handle, forward and upward.

Which blade size fits a newborn manikin?

Neonatal practice usually uses a small straight blade, commonly a Miller size 0 or 1, depending on the model’s size. Check the manikin’s guidance for the recommended blade.

How should the blade be cleaned after training?

Wipe off lubricant, wash, and disinfect according to the blade material. Keep the bulb or light window clean so the view is not dimmed.

Last Updated: September 2026