Endotracheal intubation using smartphone endoscope camera

Abstract

Videolaryngoscopy is a useful tool to visualize oral cavity so that makes it easier to intubate for the patients who have difficult airways. However, due to its high initial purchase and maintenance cost, it is not widely spread and used frequently. Recently, Smartphone endoscope camera is sold at low prices from online retails. We attached a smart phone endoscope camera to a conventional laryngoscope. It visualized intra-oral structures on the smartphone using an Android application. Endotracheal intubation trial on a manikin was successfully done with it. We are introducing a novel way to replace videolaryngoscopy which can be used with limited medical resources or in purpose of intubating education.