The frequent failure of direct laryngoscopy to provide an adequate view for tracheal intubation led to the development of alternative devices such as a video laryngoscope that has a camera on the blade with no intervening fiber optic components. The concept is important because it is simpler to produce and handle the resultant images from CMOS cameras. The integrated camera leads to a series of low cost variants that are not possible with the hybrid fiber optic units. A video camera is fitted at the tip of the blade of a laryngoscope and has usb output. It is computer compatible and the video can be seen on a mobile phone or a computer. The laryngoscope has its own light which is operated by batteries inside the handle. It costs only 5,000 compared to Rs 2-5 lac systems in the market.
