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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Hemi-laryngeal Setup for Studying Vocal Fold Vibration in Three Dimensions
Published on: November 25, 2017
Arthur Guedel's laryngeal plug.
1Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. rajesh.haridas@bigpond.com
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
|July 2, 2013
Summary
The laryngeal plug, a 1930s airway device, offered an alternative to tracheal tube cuffs. Developed by Arthur Guedel, its details were later published by Gilbert Troup.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Medical Devices
- Airway Management
Background:
- Arthur E. Guedel developed the laryngeal plug in the 1930s as an alternative to inflatable cuffs on tracheal tubes.
- The laryngeal plug was designed to facilitate airway management during medical procedures.
- Guedel's original work on the device was not formally published.
Observation:
- The laryngeal plug is a historically significant but little-known airway management device.
- Detailed descriptions of the laryngeal plug were later provided by Australian anaesthetist Gilbert Troup.
- The device represented an early innovation in tracheal intubation and airway sealing.
Findings:
- The laryngeal plug served as a precursor or alternative to modern cuffed tracheal tubes.
- Its design aimed to provide a seal within the larynx, distinct from endotracheal intubation.
- The lack of original publication contributed to its obscurity.
Implications:
- Understanding the laryngeal plug provides historical context for the evolution of airway devices.
- It highlights the innovative approaches to airway management in the early 20th century.
- Further research into historical airway devices can inform contemporary practices and device design.
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