McGRATH comparison for EMS
McGRATH vs IntuBlade for EMS airway teams
Short answer
McGRATH MAC is a portable video laryngoscope with a built-in display and disposable Macintosh-style blades, widely positioned for EMS. IntuBlade is a single-use Macintosh video laryngoscope that connects by USB-C to a compatible phone or tablet, with a patented saline lens-clearing port and Admin Portal QA/QI capture.
This page compares field workflow and published IntuBlade simulation evidence. It does not claim overall clinical superiority.
No product ships from the evaluation form.
01
Field comparison
The IntuBlade column is product fact from intublade.com. The McGRATH column is typical public EMS positioning for McGRATH MAC, not a claim that every McGRATH SKU matches every cell.
| Need | IntuBlade | McGRATH MAC (typical public EMS positioning) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Compatible USB-C phone or tablet + IntuBlade app | Built-in portrait display on the handle |
| Blade | Single-use Macintosh 1–4; dispose after use | Disposable blades on a reusable handle |
| Soiled lens mid-attempt | Patented saline lens-clearing port (10 mL Luer syringe, not included) | Standard suction / wipe / restart per protocol |
| Power | No blade battery; powered over USB-C | Handle battery (per McGRATH public pages) |
| Technique | Familiar Macintosh geometry | Familiar Macintosh technique + line-of-sight video |
| QA/QI | App capture → Admin Portal | Device-dependent recording and review |
| Price framing | MSRP $149.95 per blade. Box of 10 $969.99. Volume quotes via sales | Capital handle + ongoing blade spend |
- Display
IntuBlade
Compatible USB-C phone or tablet + IntuBlade app
McGRATH MAC (typical public EMS positioning)
Built-in portrait display on the handle
- Blade
IntuBlade
Single-use Macintosh 1–4; dispose after use
McGRATH MAC (typical public EMS positioning)
Disposable blades on a reusable handle
- Soiled lens mid-attempt
IntuBlade
Patented saline lens-clearing port (10 mL Luer syringe, not included)
McGRATH MAC (typical public EMS positioning)
Standard suction / wipe / restart per protocol
- Power
IntuBlade
No blade battery; powered over USB-C
McGRATH MAC (typical public EMS positioning)
Handle battery (per McGRATH public pages)
- Technique
IntuBlade
Familiar Macintosh geometry
McGRATH MAC (typical public EMS positioning)
Familiar Macintosh technique + line-of-sight video
- QA/QI
IntuBlade
App capture → Admin Portal
McGRATH MAC (typical public EMS positioning)
Device-dependent recording and review
- Price framing
IntuBlade
MSRP $149.95 per blade. Box of 10 $969.99. Volume quotes via sales
McGRATH MAC (typical public EMS positioning)
Capital handle + ongoing blade spend
McGRATH is a trademark of its owner. IntuBlade is not affiliated with Medtronic or Stryker. This page does not publish a McGRATH list price.
02
Who should evaluate IntuBlade
- EMS and fire agencies comparing a McGRATH MAC-class handheld to a disposable, phone-connected option
- Medical directors who want attempts available for review
- Teams that want saline lens clearing mid-attempt and no blade battery to charge
03
Who should keep looking
- Programs that require an FDA cleared or approved VL claim. IntuBlade is FDA registered, Class I, 510(k)-exempt, Rx Only. Not FDA cleared or FDA approved.
- Teams that will not use a compatible USB-C phone or tablet as the display
- Teams that need hyperangulated-only geometry as their primary blade family. IntuBlade ships Macintosh 1–4
04
Published IntuBlade simulation vs GlideScope Ranger
Manikin, not patients. Not a McGRATH head-to-head.
In a 2021 Am J Emerg Med high-fidelity manikin evaluation, 21 emergency physicians intubated in clean and soiled conditions.
These numbers compare IntuBlade with GlideScope Ranger. They are not a McGRATH head-to-head. Simulation results, not patient outcomes. The authors called for additional clinical evaluation.
Read the methods, results, and limitations- Cleanp = 0.008
- IntuBlade14.3 s
- GlideScope Ranger26.3 s
- Soiledp = 0.004
- IntuBlade19.0 s
- GlideScope Ranger28.6 s
| Condition | IntuBlade | GlideScope Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Cleanp = 0.008 | 14.3 s | 26.3 s |
| Soiledp = 0.004 | 19.0 s | 28.6 s |
Mean time to successful intubation. High-fidelity manikin, 21 emergency physicians. Am J Emerg Med, 2021. Not a McGRATH head-to-head.
Next step
Map the phones and tablets your crews carry, the Macintosh sizes you stock, the lens-clearing setup, and the review workflow your medical director wants before a fleet rollout.
No product ships from the evaluation form. IntuBlade is FDA registered, Class I, 510(k)-exempt, Rx Only. Not FDA cleared or FDA approved.