Health Sciences · Hospital for Sick Children
A metal medical instrument consisting of a cylindrical handle and three interchangeable blades of varying lengths.
2025.sk.36.1 – Handle with the longest blade mounted. The handle, which is empty, is designed to hold two dry cell batteries. The blade has a cross-sectional “C” shape profile and a small incandescent bulb mounted near its tip. Handle and blade are attached together by setting divots in the socket of the blade into grooves in the handle and turning it laterally. Handle and blade are designed in such a way that a small incandescent lamp at the tip of the blade is lit when the blade is locked into place.
2025.sk.36.2 – A blade that is interchangeable with, but slightly shorter than, the blade mounted in 2025.sk.36.1. This example does not have a bulb mounted.
2025.sk.36.3 – A blade that is interchangeable with, but slightly shorter than, the blade mounted in 2025.sk.36.2. This example does not have a bulb mounted.
Accession Number: 2025.sk.36.1-3
Alternative Name:
Primary Materials: Metal.
2025.sk.36.1: “AUBURN [WA logo] N.Y.USA
2025.sk.36.2 (larger blade): main body- WA logo, Upper surface of blade “FLAGG LARYNGOSCOPE
2025.sk.36.3 (smaller blade): main body- WA logo, Upper surface of blade “FLAGG LARYNGOSCOPE
2025.sk.36.1: Height = 4, Width = 5, Length = 15; 2025.sk.36.2: Height = 4, Width = 4, Length = 19.5; 2025.sk.36.3: Height = 4, Width = 4, Length = 14.
A laryngoscope is used to view deep into the throat. The blade is used to trap the tongue and move it out of the way. An integrated lamp provides illumination.
Within the context of general anaesthesia, the laryngoscope is used to facilitate tracheal intubation.
The surface of the instrument is scratched and worn with small patches of discolouration inside the blade. The battery compartment within the handle shows some corrosion.
Associated Instruments:
Manufacturer: Welch Allyn, Auburn, New York.
Date of Manufacture: Post 1930s.
Provenance:
C. M. Ball and R. N Westhorpe (2015). “The Development of Laryngoscopes for Anaesthesia.” Anaesthesia and Intensive Care 43, no. 1: 3–4.
Paluel J. Flagg (1886 – 1970), a physician from New York city, designed his laryngoscope with the assistance of the Welch Allyn company. It was first described in 1927. A patent for a laryngoscope with a detachable blade was granted in 1937.