Articulating Tracheoscope Control for LMA Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracheoscope and laryngeal mask airway (LMA) devices face challenges in accurately placing the LMA and guiding anesthesia application during tracheostomy procedures, often requiring multiple operators and limited control over the camera's viewing angle, which can lead to complications and increased risk of injury or death.
Innovation Solution
A tracheoscope control device with a camera that articulates by an angular range of at least 180 degrees and can lock at any desired angle, integrated with a laryngeal mask airway device, allowing a single physician to control the distal end of the tracheoscope for precise visualization and manipulation within the patient's trachea.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an endoscope or fiberoptic scope is used to ensure proper LMA placement, then placement accuracy is improved, but the control of the scope end is limited and requires considerable skill and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the scope distal end articulation mechanism movable and adjustable. The articulation lever and articulation piece allow the scope to dynamically change its viewing angle within an angular range of at least 180 degrees, transforming a static scope into a dynamically controllable instrument that can adapt to different anatomical views without requiring complex manual manipulation skills
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary articulation mechanism between the operator and the scope distal end. The articulation lever, key-type extension, and articulation piece form a mechanical intermediary system that translates simple lever movements into precise scope angle adjustments, mediating the control difficulty while maintaining placement accuracy
2Device complexity
If the camera is fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but the viewing angle range is limited and cannot articulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed camera system into a dynamic articulation system by introducing the articulation lever and articulation piece mechanism. This allows the camera to articulate within an angular range of at least 180 degrees while maintaining relatively simple device architecture, achieving versatility without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds angular dimensionality to the camera positioning by enabling articulation in multiple directions. The key-type groove and key-type extension mechanism allows the camera to move from a single fixed position to a multi-angular positioning capability, effectively adding a rotational dimension to the originally static camera system
3Measurement precision
If multiple operators are used for tracheoscopy and LMA placement, then procedural accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the articulation mechanism to provide multiple functions within a single integrated system. The articulation lever simultaneously controls scope positioning, viewing angle adjustment, and maintains stable articulation, allowing one operator to perform tasks that traditionally required multiple operators, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining procedural accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through the self-locking articulation mechanism. The frictional engagement between the screw threads and the key-type extension automatically maintains the articulated position without requiring continuous external force or multiple operators to hold the scope in place, enabling single-operator control with maintained precision
Data Source
AI summary
An articulating tracheoscope control device, a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) device, and an articulating tracheoscope control device and LMA device combination system, that can control precise movement of a distal end of a tracheoscope with a patient's larynx within an angular range of at least 180 degrees and can lock the distal end of the tracheoscope in any desired position within the patient's larynx such that managing the tracheoscope during a tracheostomy procedure is not required in order to monitor the tracheostomy procedure.