BWHers' Invention Could Be Adopted by U.K. Health System

BWH’s Max Weinmann has invented a chemiluminescent laryngoscope (a model of which he is holding above), which will be presented to the United Kingdom’s National Health System for potential incorporation into its standard of care.

Max Weinmann, MD, a critical care physician in BWH's Department of Anesthesiology, was driving through a blizzard on the mountain roads of Utah in 2009 when he came across a multi-vehicle accident. He reacted immediately, helping to remove one of the drivers, a pregnant woman, from her crushed vehicle.

Once first responders arrived, they and Weinmann attempted to resuscitate the woman inside the ambulance through intubation, which involves placing a tube in a patient's throat and windpipe to keep the airway open for ventilator support. A metal, electric intubation device, called a laryngoscope, lifts the tongue and jaw out of the way so that the tube can be placed. But in this case, a traditional laryngoscope failed twice due to electrical faults and battery failure-issues possibly compounded by the snow and freezing temperature. After some time, they successfully resuscitated the woman, but Weinmann realized that a more robust, reliable and non-electrical device was needed for such circumstances.

And so, the concept of the chemiluminescent laryngoscope was born.

Weinmann began sketching his ideas for an improved device on napkins and notepads, and molding rough prototypes with modeling clay. His device would be made of lightweight polycarbonate and it would be disposable, costing about $14 per device. It would be waterproof, resistant to temperature fluctuations, sturdy, non-toxic and able to meet the strength and luminosity of a traditional largynoscope. Light would be created by an internal catalyst that would activate a chemical reaction within the device. Weinmann won a grant to develop his design.

"A prototype emerged that was sufficiently respectable to present to industry," he said. Cyalume Industries of Springfield, Mass., a leader in chemical light technologies, was approached with the prototype, and the company was immediately interested. "Ultimately, the laryngoscope was refined until testing demonstrated its clinical readiness."

Cyalume has since been presenting Weinmann's device to the military and groups overseas. Additionally, a British consulting firm will introduce the device to the United Kingdom's National Health System for potential incorporation into its standard of care. To Weinmann's knowledge, this is the first time that a Brigham-originated device is being evaluated to potentially become part of the standard of care for another country.

"I think it's quite exciting," said Weinmann, who is from Australia. "Irrespective of the outcome, it is quite an honor to be considered."