Articulating Endobronchial Suction Catheter for Bilateral Bronchi Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current suction catheters for intubated patients are ineffective in accurately suctioning both right and left bronchi, leading to complications such as pneumonia and prolonged intubation due to their lack of directional control, particularly in navigating the angled connection of the left bronchus to the trachea.
Innovation Solution
A bi-lateral endobronchial suctioning device (BESD) with a control lever that allows for articulation of the tip between the left and right bronchi, enabling controlled suctioning of both sides of the lungs, and a bronchoalveolar lavage port for directed delivery of fluids to break up thick secretions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an unguided suction catheter is used, then the device is simple to manufacture and operate, but it cannot accurately reach both right and left bronchi due to the sharp angle of the left bronchus connection
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a control mechanism with a lever that enables dynamic articulation of the distal end. The catheter can be flexed between straight and curved configurations, allowing the operator to direct the tip into preselected bronchi (right or left) based on the patient's anatomy. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction by providing directional control without requiring a permanently complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a lever for actuation, cables for force transmission, and an articulating joint at the distal end. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The lever provides mechanical advantage, the cables transmit motion efficiently, and the articulating joint provides the necessary directional change.
2Productivity
If a directionless suction catheter is used, then the device is easy to operate, but it leaves fluid behind in one lung field or both, reducing suctioning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visualization technology including optical fibers for transferring images and a micro-camera to display the position of the distal end in the trachea and bronchial tree. This visual feedback allows the operator to confirm proper catheter placement and effective secretion removal, resolving the contradiction by providing guidance without significantly complicating the operation. The feedback mechanism ensures that the catheter is positioned correctly to access both bronchi.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no directional control mechanism is provided, then the device has fewer moving parts and is more reliable, but it cannot adapt to the anatomical variations of right and left bronchus angles
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter design provides different properties at different locations: the proximal portion remains relatively simple and stable for reliable connection and control, while the distal end incorporates the articulating mechanism for local adaptability. The control mechanism is positioned such that it can be actuated from the proximal end, allowing the operator to change the distal orientation without affecting the overall catheter stability or connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical suctioning system includes a device for insertion into an intubated patient's bronchi, the device including a controller end having actuating components that include a control mechanism coupled to a plurality of cables at the controller end, the controller end having a suction control button engaged with a plunger to allow for activation and deactivation of suction through the controller end; a control lever in communication with an articulating lever housed within the controller end, the articulating lever to engage with one or more cables disposed through the controller end and to engage with an articulating tip portion at a distal end opposite the controller end; and a catheter extending away from the controller end to the distal end.