Infant laryngoscope with Machintosh blade, English, 1968-1975

A laryngoscope is an instrument designed to examine the voice box or be used during intubation to insert an endotracheal tube to keep the airway open during surgery or to apply treatments. In 1943, Robert Reynolds Machintosh (1897-1989) introduced the curved blade in place of a straight one. The blade is inserted in between the tongue and the epiglottis, instead of beyond it, and gives a better view of the vocal cords during intubation so as not to damage them during the procedure.