Adjustable Laryngoscope Blade with ISO 7376 Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laryngoscopes lack an adjustable blade system that conforms to international standards, making it impractical for first responders to use a single device on patients of varying sizes, as standard adjustment schemes are hindered by standardized connections between blades and handles.
Innovation Solution
A laryngoscope system with a blade assembly featuring multiple handle attachment points and an internal lighting unit, allowing the blade to be adjusted to match standard sizes (1, 2, 3, or 4) using ISO 7376 compliant connections, and an optional lighting unit integrated into the blade or handle for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single laryngoscope blade is used for average sized persons, then it is portable and simple to carry, but it cannot be appropriately sized for children, small women, or large men
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into modular segments that can be selectively attached to the handle. The blade assembly includes a distal portion and a proximal portion that can be separated, allowing the user to select only the necessary length for the patient size, thus achieving size adaptability without requiring multiple complete blades
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly incorporates a telescoping mechanism with movable sections that can be extended or retracted based on the required blade length. This dynamic adjustment allows a single blade to adapt to different patient sizes by changing its effective length through mechanical extension or retraction of blade segments
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art adjustable blades are implemented, then blade length can be adjusted, but they require a specialty handle that prevents commercialization due to ISO 7376 standardization
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed with a universal connection interface that accepts both standardized ISO 7376 blades and the telescoping blade assembly. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain compatibility with existing standardized equipment while incorporating adjustable blade capabilities, thereby achieving commercialization feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
An adapter mechanism serves as an intermediary between the standardized ISO 7376 connection and the telescoping blade assembly. This adapter allows the adjustable blade to interface with standard handles without requiring specialty components, enabling commercialization while maintaining standardization compliance
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple laryngoscope blades are carried for different patient sizes, then proper fit for all patients is achieved, but it becomes impractical for first responders
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of carrying multiple complete blades, the system segments the blade into modular portions that can be selectively combined. The first responder carries one blade assembly with detachable segments, allowing selection of appropriate blade length by attaching only the necessary distal portion to the handle, thus achieving proper fit for different patient sizes while maintaining operational practicality
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping blade assembly allows dynamic adjustment of blade length by extending or retracting segments. The first responder carries a single compact blade assembly that can be quickly adjusted to the appropriate length for different patient sizes, eliminating the need to carry multiple fixed-length blades and improving ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A laryngoscope system that consists of a blade assembly and a handle assembly. The blade assembly has a blade body with multiple handle attachment points. The handle can attach to any of the handle attachment points using a standard ISO 7376 connection. By attaching the handle to different handle attachment points the functional length of the laryngoscope blade can be adjusted. The handle that attaches to the blade body can contain an internal lighting unit. If so, the blade body contains optical elements at the handle attachment points that direct light from the handle to a forward facing output. If the handle does not hold a light, a lighting unit can be added to the blade body.