Airway Tube Holder With Push-Advance Clamp and Quick Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airway tube holders are cumbersome and time-consuming to use, often requiring two hands and multiple rotations of a thumb screw or ratchet mechanism, which can be life-threatening in medical emergencies due to delays in immobilizing or withdrawing the tube.
Innovation Solution
An airway tube holder with a thumb screw that can be advanced by pushing and features a quick-release mechanism, allowing for rapid immobilization and release, along with ergonomic design improvements such as asymmetric thread profiles and a syringe grip for improved ergonomics and thread grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thumb screw or ratchet assembly is used to advance the clamping head, then the airway tube can be securely immobilized, but the device becomes cumbersome and time-consuming to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The thumb screw is designed with asymmetric thread profiles that enable dynamic operation modes: a shallow thread angle allows rapid sliding advancement for quick engagement, while a deeper thread portion provides secure threading for firm immobilization. This dynamic thread design transforms the static screw mechanism into a multi-mode actuating system that adapts to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping head is pre-positioned in a retracted state away from the airway tube, ready for rapid deployment. The asymmetric threads are pre-configured to facilitate immediate sliding engagement without requiring preliminary loosening or positioning adjustments, enabling the caregiver to quickly advance the clamping head during emergencies.
2Reliability
If a thumb screw is used to advance the clamping head, then the airway tube can be immobilized, but multiple rotations are required which delays the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric thread profile creates a dynamic engagement process where the shallow-angle threads enable rapid linear advancement with minimal rotational input, significantly reducing the time required to reach the clamping position compared to conventional symmetric threads that require multiple full rotations.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread structure is segmented into two functional zones: an initial shallow-thread section for rapid approach and engagement, followed by a deeper-thread section for final securing. This segmentation allows the operator to complete the majority of the advancement quickly through sliding, reserving rotational tightening for the final securing phase.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the thumb screw is loosely coupled to the face mask, then the device allows movement, but it becomes awkward to begin advancing requiring two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The thumb screw features a curved or contoured grip surface that conforms to the natural shape of a caregiver's thumb and finger. This ergonomic curvature enables the operator to easily grasp and manipulate the thumb screw with a single hand, providing sufficient grip friction and leverage without requiring two hands to stabilize the device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and secure immobilization and release of airway tubes with improved ergonomics, reducing the risk of delays and enhancing usability in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
The thumb screw, which is operatively coupled to the engagement arm, is adapted to move the clamping head toward the tube-receiving surface
Implementation Method 2
improved ergonomics; a thumb screw that can be advanced simply by pushing; a thumb screw that can be released via a quick-release feature
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An air-way tube holder (100) includes a face plate (102) having a v-shaped tube-receiving surface (114) that aligns with one side of an opening through the face plate, and a holding block (112), which is disposed near a second side of the opening. The holding block receives a thumb screw (130) and an engagement arm (142), the latter including a clamping head (144), which directly opposes the tube-receiving surface. The thumb screw is adapted to move the clamping head toward the tube-receiving surface to immobilize an airway tube therebetween, either by sliding the thumb screw (gross adjustment) or turning the thumb screw (fine adjustment). The thumb screw/clamping head is releasable by actuating a quick-release mechanism (694).