Adaptive Bite Block for Airway Access During Respiration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for transitioning from non-invasive to invasive assisted respiration in patients, such as those with cardiopulmonary arrest or severe respiratory failure, require induction of a comatose state, temporary cessation of oxygen delivery, and can lead to life-threatening complications due to prolonged interruption of artificial ventilation and potential for practitioner mistakes.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a mask with a bite block and adapter that allows for fiberoptic bronchoscopy or tracheal intubation while the patient remains awake or minimally sedated, enabling oxygen delivery and instrument insertion without removing the mask, using a bite block that can be adjusted to accommodate patient anatomy and facilitate instrument alignment with the airway.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods for transitioning from non-invasive to invasive assisted respiration are used, then endotracheal intubation can be performed, but the patient must be induced into a comatose state and oxygen delivery must be temporarily ceased, leading to life-threatening complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safety during transitionVSAvoidcomplexity of transition procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the bite block in the patient's mouth before intubation begins. This allows the airway to be secured and instruments to be passed through the mask while the patient remains awake and breathing, eliminating the need for comatose induction and temporary cessation of oxygen delivery that characterizes conventional methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mask serves as an intermediary device that allows both oxygen delivery and instrument passage simultaneously. The bite block acts as another intermediary that facilitates instrument passage through the oral cavity while maintaining patient consciousness and spontaneous breathing, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the patient is induced into a comatose state for intubation, then instrument insertion is facilitated, but blood oxygen and pressure drop and the risk of irreversible organ damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument insertion easeVSAvoidblood oxygen and pressure drops

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuity of useful action by maintaining oxygen delivery throughout the entire intubation procedure. The patient continues to breathe spontaneously while the bite block facilitates instrument passage, eliminating the temporary cessation of oxygen that occurs in conventional methods and preventing the harmful drops in blood oxygen and pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patient's own spontaneous breathing serves the dual purpose of maintaining oxygenation and facilitating the intubation procedure. By keeping the patient awake and breathing on their own, the system utilizes the patient's natural respiratory function to achieve both safe oxygen delivery and successful instrument insertion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the mask is removed to insert instruments, then direct access to the airway is achieved, but oxygen delivery is interrupted and the patient must be fully sedated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway accessVSAvoidduration of oxygen delivery interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mask is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers oxygen to the patient and provides a pathway for instrument passage. The bite block similarly serves dual purposes by maintaining airway patency and facilitating instrument access. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to remove the mask and prevents interruption of oxygen delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If conventional intubation procedures are used, then endotracheal tube placement is achieved, but practitioner mistakes and prolonged procedure time increase the risk of complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintubation successVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By pre-positioning the bite block and maintaining the patient's spontaneous breathing throughout the procedure, the patent significantly reduces procedure time and eliminates the delays associated with inducing coma and managing airway reflexes. This preliminary preparation and continuous state management reduce the window for practitioner mistakes while maintaining high intubation success rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11179531B2Apparatus, systems, and methods for accessing the airway with medical instruments without interruption of assisted respiration

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 INTERMOUNTAIN INTELLECTUAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC

AI summary

Systems for use in assisted respiration can permit insertion of one or more elongated medical instruments into the proximal and/or distal airway of a patient during administration of assisted respiration, which may, in some instances, proceed with a patient awake or only minimally sedated. In some systems, a bite block is coupled with a mask and is movable relative to the mask such that the system is capable of accommodating differing patient anatomies.