Given a group such as ours, the study is more applicable to the population found in a typical medical institution. The wide standard deviation is an indication that trainees and novices to these techniques will have a wide range of training needs. Giving everyone a “time based” learning experience

would not suffice. Prior studies have identified the learning curve associated with the Bonfils [3,6,8]. In these prior (published) studies, it was determined that 20 training intubations needed to occur Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical before the operator would be considered to be proficient with a non-difficult airway. The studies also identified that 50 intubations must occur before an intubator is proficient with “difficult airways.” Certainly, the investigators will consider addressing these training requirements and selecting a larger sample size when

future intubating fiberscope studies are undertaken. The authors believe Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical that the new device shows improvement in the intubation experience; however, due to the large standard deviations present in this data, the sample size should be Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical increased to fully investigate the significance of the claims. The novel instrument was also well accepted among study participants indicating that, if available, most users would prefer using this novel fiberscope over the Bonfils when warranted for difficult airway intubation. Many of the participants in the study Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical commented that it would be easier to tell which was the better solution (Boedeker vs. Bonfils fiberscope) in a real OR setting. To that end, the device is being taken through the FDA approval process so that it can be used on humans in the OR. Conclusions Based on the data in our study, the novel curvature of the Boedeker fiberscope appears to improve and/or maintain the quality of an intubation attempt (in respect to airway score, cricoid pressure requirement, intubation time, number of attempts, placement success, and operator preference). In this study, the difference between the two devices with respect to the intubation Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical success rates is statistically significant

with the Boedeker 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase fiberscope providing a 100% success rate versus 68% with the Bonfils. Our data has shown that the Boedeker fiberscope offers a superior intubation experience to that of the Bonfils fiberscope. As the new device was well received by the study participants, it is believed by the authors that many users would choose to include this device on their standard airway carts should it become clinically Selleckchem LEE011 available in the future. Competing interests The University of Nebraska Board of Regents holds all of the intellectual properties associated with this project. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Authors’ contributions BHB conceptualized the device and its design.