Laryngoscopy devices and methods

A laryngoscopy device comprising:

• a laryngoscope blade, being elongated, having a blade distal portion, a blade first edge, and a blade second edge, opposite to said blade first edge;
• and
• a looped element, switchable at least from a first configuration to a second configuration;
• wherein, in the first configuration and in the second configuration, said looped element defines an expanded arch and a contracted arch, respectively, wherein said expanded arch has an expanded arch first arm and an expanded arch second arm, joined at an expanded arch top, and said contracted arch has a contracted arch first arm and a contracted arch second arm, joined at a contracted arch top;
• and
• wherein said expanded arch top is positioned superiorly relative to said blade distal portion, and said expanded arch first arm at least partially extends laterally from about said blade first edge and said expanded arch second arm at least partially extends laterally from about said blade second edge.

A method for performing laryngoscopy on a subject, comprising the steps of:

• providing the laryngoscopy device of any one of the preceding claims and an elongated intubation member;
• introducing the laryngoscopy device into the oral cavity of the subject with the looped element being in the first configuration;
• maneuvering the laryngoscope blade such as to insert the blade distal portion into the vallecula of the subject, thereby encompassing the epiglottis of the subject with the expanded arch;
• introducing the elongated intubation member into the oral cavity and distally advancing the elongated intubation member until a member distal tip thereof passes through the expanded arch and is proximally positioned relative to the corniculate tubercle of the subject;
• switching from the first configuration to the second configuration thereby directing the member distal tip towards the laryngeal inlet of the subject;
• and
• distally advancing the member distal tip into the laryngeal inlet of the subject.