Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine has collaborated with engineering students to address a common challenge in large-animal instruction: limited visibility during goat intubation. The traditional method allows only one person to view the procedure effectively, while others must rely on verbal explanations.
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The project began when veterinary technician Katie Ray sought a way to enhance her students' learning experiences. After using a $30 borescope camera attached to her phone to capture intubations, veterinary anesthesia resident Dr. Nassim Bouhabib joined her. They refined the concept by attaching a camera directly to a laryngoscope, which ignited further engineering development.
Mechanical engineering students Will Jones and Cooper Rice from Auburn's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering took on the challenge, working in the Mechanical Polymer Additive Manufacturing Laboratory. Over a year, they tested several prototypes, applying feedback from veterinary students to improve the design. The final device features a camera with a lever-controlled viewing angle, a real-time display screen, and an adjustable blade suitable for various animal sizes, all produced at a cost of about $150.
While traditional laryngoscopes will continue to be used, this new device enhances visibility for students who have limited experience with large animals. Ray emphasizes that this tool is primarily for teaching, allowing students to see the intubation process rather than just hearing about it.
The team plans to publish a paper that will include files necessary for 3D printing the device, enabling other veterinary schools and practitioners to replicate this low-cost tool in their own labs. With large-animal medicine often lacking specialized equipment, Auburn's innovation is a reminder that effective solutions can emerge from student-led projects rather than expensive commercial options.
Reporting originates from Auburn University's official coverage of the laryngoscope project published on September 16, 2026.