Protective Coating for Airway Devices Prevents Tissue Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Airway management devices face issues with mucus, crusting, and granulation buildup, which complicates cleaning and maintenance, and can lead to dislodgment, compromising tissue integrity and causing bleeding upon removal.

Innovation Solution

Applying a protective polymeric coating, such as parylene, to the surfaces of airway management devices to prevent mucus and granulation accumulation, enhance cleaning ease, and ensure secure implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If airway management devices are used without protective coating, then the device structure remains simple and manufacturing cost is low, but mucus and granulation buildup occurs leading to difficult cleaning and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcleaning and maintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

A thin polymeric coating layer is applied to the surface of the airway management device. This flexible film prevents mucus and granulation buildup while maintaining device flexibility and biocompatibility. The coating acts as a non-stick barrier that facilitates easy removal and cleaning of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If airway management devices are used without protective coating, then the device is easier to insert and remove, but tissue adhesion occurs causing bleeding upon removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice insertion and removal easeVSAvoidtissue adhesion and bleeding

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A biocompatible polymeric coating serves as an intermediary layer between the device surface and surrounding tissues. This intermediate layer prevents direct adhesion between the device and tissue, eliminating bleeding upon removal while maintaining secure implantation through the coating's adhesive properties to tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of repair

If a protective polymeric coating is applied to airway management devices, then mucus and granulation buildup is prevented and cleaning is easier, but the device manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning and maintenance easeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surface properties of the device are modified by changing the chemical and physical parameters of the surface layer through polymeric coating. This alters surface energy, roughness, and chemical composition to prevent biofouling while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established coating techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective polymeric coating is applied to airway management devices, then tissue adhesion is prevented and bleeding is reduced, but the device may have reduced structural strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue adhesion and bleeding preventionVSAvoiddevice structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9592117B2Coated tracheostomy tube and stoma stent or cannula

Publication Date: 2017.03.14 E BENSON HOOD LAB

AI summary

The present invention relates to devices used in the management of bodily airways including tracheostomy tubes, laryngectomy tubes, bronchial stents, bronchial Y-tubes, bronchial TY-tubes, and nasal stents. The devices may comprise a protective coating to prevent the accumulation of mucus, crusting and granulation on or around airway management devices, as well as prevent adhesion to tissues which can cause bleeding upon removal, and prevent build-up of blood, or blood clots, to the stent.