Optical Stylet and Light-Guided Equipment and Techniques

Optical stylets are airway tools, which combine features of fiberoptic bronchoscopes and intubation stylets. These devices use fibers to transmit the image to an eyepiece or camera, which can be attached to the eyepiece for viewing on a monitor. Optical stylets are designed to be used independently, with laryngoscopes, or with SGA devices. There are wide variations in optical stylet length, malleability, and light sources. The common feature of these devises is their light source, which enables the stylet to be used as a lightwand, while the fiberoptic capability enables visualization of the laryngeal inlet.