3D PRINTED LARYNGOSCOPE FOR ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATION

• Henry Wynand Huysamen Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa Product Development Technology Station, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9360-0456
• William Allan Kinnear Product Development Technology Station, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8457-018X
• Theodorus Ernst Fonternel Department of Anaesthesiology, University of the Free State, South Africa http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6887-3356
• Edwin Turton Department of Anaesthesiology, University of the Free State, South Africa http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6916-7691
• Ina Yadroitsava Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3132-5724
• Igor Yadroitsev Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7556-8675

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/31-3-2446

Abstract

This study aims to determine whether additive manufacturing can be used to produce a safe and reliable video laryngoscope. Different designs were proposed and evaluated with a mannequin for usability. Finite element analysis (FEA) was done to estimate the stress distribution, maximum displacement at the tip, and factor of safety. A final 3D printed laryngoscope design was chosen on the basis of this evaluation. Future work on validation, whether it is safe to be used, and the limitations of the device are discussed. The device will be printed under predetermined settings and material to conform to the validation.