Oropharyngeal Airway with Asymmetric Bite Block for Single-Handed Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oropharyngeal airways are ineffective in maintaining a clear airway in supine patients due to obstruction by soft tissues, requiring complex maneuvers and two practitioners for proper ventilation, which is not feasible in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
An oropharyngeal airway device with a pharyngeal section and a bite block that includes a maxillary flange and a mandibular surface, allowing for a jaw thrust maneuver to advance the mandible and maintain a prognathic position, enabling single-handed ventilation with a face mask.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional oropharyngeal airway with symmetrical flanges is used, then the device can be stabilized in the mouth, but the mandible cannot be advanced sufficiently to clear the airway obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The oropharyngeal airway device employs asymmetric flange configuration where the mandibular flange is larger and more prominent than the maxillary flange. This asymmetry allows the mandibular flange to engage with the mandible and enable advancement of the mandible forward, thereby clearing the airway obstruction effectively. The asymmetric design directly addresses the limitation of conventional symmetric devices that cannot sufficiently advance the mandible.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a mandibular flange for engaging the mandible, a maxillary flange for engaging the maxilla, and a pharyngeal section for lifting the tongue. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the mandibular flange specifically designed to enable mandibular advancement for airway clearance.
2Ease of operation
If the triple airway maneuver is performed manually without device assistance, then the airway can be cleared, but it requires two practitioners and complex manual coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The oropharyngeal airway device is designed to assist and simplify the triple airway maneuver by providing structural support for mandibular advancement. The device's asymmetric flanges enable the single practitioner to effectively perform the maneuver without requiring two practitioners for manual coordination and support, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining airway clearance effectiveness.
3Productivity
If a single practitioner performs ventilation in emergency situations, then response time is reduced, but the ability to perform proper airway management is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables a single practitioner to perform effective airway management and ventilation procedures that would traditionally require two practitioners. The asymmetric flange design provides the necessary structural support for mandibular advancement and airway clearance, allowing one practitioner to maintain reliable airway management while responding quickly to emergency situations.
Data Source
AI summary
An oropharyngeal device for assisting oral ventilation of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a pharyngeal section configured to engage the tongue of the patient and a bite block connected to the pharyngeal section. The bite block includes a proximate maxillary surface configured to engage at least a portion of the maxilla of the patient. The bite block further includes a maxillary flange adjacent the proximate maxillary surface that is configured to engage the upper lip of the patent. The bite block further includes a mandibular surface opposite the proximate maxillary surface. At least a portion of the mandibular surface opposite the maxillary flange is configured to engage at least a portion of the mandible of the patient.