What are the features of different light sources available on laryngoscopes?
Standard Light Source
(Colour Coded Black)
(Colour Coded Black)
- Contains a small bulb near the distal end of each blade
- Handle contains the batteries only
- Bulbs can be standard filament or LED
- Filament bulbs can cast small central shadow
- Bulbs generate heat and risk of thermal transmission to patient with standard bulbs (not with LEDs
- Handles are black or silver
Fibreoptic Light Source
(Colour Coded Green)
(Colour Coded Green)
- Contains the bulb and batteries in the handle
- Transmitted to the blade through a fibreoptic column
- Avoids the risk of heat transmission
- Can allow for brighter bulbs to be used
- Disposable blades more economical
- Handles are green or silver with green band