Being a specialist in the development of medical devices for wildlife in Australia, I often come across unique and challenging projects.
Australian mammals have a unique physiology. One major issue is the tight and difficult to access throat and mouth. During medical procedures and heath-checks, a laryngoscope blade must be used inside the throat to position and push done on the glottis at the mid part of the larynx to make way for the insertion of a breathing tube.
Australian mammals, including koalas, kangaroos and wombats have very narrow inner mouth openings and tight cheeks. Current laryngoscope blades are generally designed for humans, or animals with large and accessible mouths - making the current laryngoscope blades bulky, difficult and sometimes impossible to use with Australian mammals. This is even more an issue for juvenile animals.
For years now I have been having request after request by zoo staff and wildlife veterinarians to develop a range of bespoke laryngoscope blades specifically for Australian fauna, especially now that many are endangered and require careful attention.
Design blades for adult Australian mammals
Design miniature blades for juvenile Australian mammals
Previously, I designed and fabricated two prototypes for avian use. Although a little narrow, they were successfully used with juvenile mammals, including joey koalas, but they require modifications and element changes to make more applicable to mammal use. As seen in the attachments. Also, attached is a prototype laryngoscope system that I made for Zoos Victoria to use with their wombats and wallabies. This too works, but needs quite a bit of refinement making it easer to use, and with a universal blade that can be used with standard laryngoscope light sources.
Using the above as a starting point, I will refine the exact mechanical and design elements required for their optimal use with veterinarians at various wildlife hospitals around Australia.
Funded by Melbourne (August 2022)