Articulating Stylet for Endotracheal Tube Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endotracheal intubation is a technically challenging procedure associated with patient morbidity, mortality, and economic losses due to difficulties in navigating the endotracheal tube (ETT) through the pharynx and into the trachea without causing injury.

Innovation Solution

An articulating stylet with a controllable tip that deflects in at least two directions, used in conjunction with an ETT, to dynamically steer the tube within the patient's airway under constant visual control, facilitating precise angulation and placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a standard rigid ETT is used for intubation, then the tube maintains structural integrity for gas exchange, but it cannot be easily steered or shaped to match individual patient anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to patient anatomyVSAvoidease of steering and shaping

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet incorporates an articulating mechanism with a movable jaw and wire core that allows dynamic adjustment of the stylet's curvature. This enables the stylet to be shaped to match individual patient anatomy while maintaining structural integrity during intubation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stylet allows change in geometric parameters (curvature, angle) through the articulation mechanism. The wire core can be positioned at different angles relative to the stylet body, changing the shape parameters to adapt to different airway anatomies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If an articulating stylet is used to steer the ETT, then the intubation accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of ETT placementVSAvoidcomplexity of stylet construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet is divided into distinct functional segments: the stylet body, the articulating jaw, and the wire core. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall construction and assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wire core acts as an intermediary element that transmits control from the articulation mechanism to the stylet tip. This intermediary allows precise control of the stylet's shape without requiring complex direct actuation mechanisms at the tip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple intubation attempts are made to accommodate different patient anatomies, then the accuracy of ETT placement improves, but the time required for the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of ETT placementVSAvoidtime for repeated intubation attempts

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet can be pre-shaped and pre-positioned within the ETT before insertion into the patient. This preliminary preparation allows the operator to have the stylet ready in the correct configuration, reducing the time needed during the actual intubation procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The articulating mechanism allows rapid adjustment of the stylet's shape during the procedure. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the operator to adapt to different patient anatomies quickly without requiring multiple separate intubation attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the stylet tip is made highly articulated to match patient anatomy, then the intubation success rate improves, but the control precision becomes more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintubation success rateVSAvoidprecision of stylet tip control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The articulation mechanism incorporates feedback through the wire core and jaw assembly, where the position and tension of the wire provide real-time information about the stylet's shape and the operator's control level, enabling precise control despite high articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows controlled changes in geometric parameters through the articulation mechanism. The wire core can be tensioned or relaxed to adjust the stylet's curvature, providing precise control over the tip's orientation while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250135138A1Articulating stylet

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 SMARTAIRWAY LLC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a new and novel articulating stylet medical device that facilitates endotracheal intubation. During an intubation procedure, the present device uniquely guides a distal portion of a standard, non-proprietary endotracheal tube (ETT) mounted thereover within the narrow confines of a patient's pharynx under visual control via a laryngoscope and then through the larynx and then in to the trachea. Thus, the articulating stylet of the present invention facilitates a faster and safer intubation procedures compared to prior art stylet medical devices.