Premium
A study of the brightness of laryngoscope light
Author(s) -
SKILTON R. W. H.,
PARRY D.,
HILES P.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1996.tb07851.x
Subject(s) - bulb , luminance , medicine , brightness , colorimeter , photometer , optics , incandescent light bulb , physics , biology , horticulture
Summary We have measured the brightness (luminance) of the light spot produced by 105 Macintosh 3 laryngoscope blades (33 bulb, 72 fibrelight) using a Hagner photometer. An estimate of the minimum luminance required for laryngoscopy (circa. 100cd.m ‐2 ), was determined using a laryngoscope adapted to provide a variable light output. Five (15%) of bulb blades and 24 (33%) of the fibrelight blades failed to meet this minimum level. A new bulb blade produced brighter lighting conditions (maximum 700cd.m ‐2 ) than a new fibrelight blade (max. 500cd.m ‐2 ). In total, 61 (84%) of the fibrelight blades and three (9%) of the bulb blades were found to provide a light spot that encompassed areas of luminance below 30cd.m ‐2 , which is a level for comfortable reading. The light spot from a mains‐powered fibreoptic bronchoscope was found to be four times brighter (2000cd.m ‐2 ) than a new battery‐powered fibrelight laryngoscope.