Disposable Intubation Device with Bendable Stylet and LED Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for airway tube placement are costly, pose a risk of infectious material transmission, and are difficult to use in patients with challenging anatomy or neck injuries, requiring quick and precise visualization of vocal cords to avoid accidental esophageal insertion and potential brain damage.
Innovation Solution
A disposable, inexpensive endotracheal tube placement device with a bendable stylet and integrated LED light, allowing for one-handed operation and visualization of vocal cords, even in difficult anatomical situations, using a flexible wire and bell crank mechanism for controlled bending and a battery-powered light for illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional imaging device is used for visualization, then direct visualization of vocal cords is achieved, but the device is too costly for single-use and poses high risk of infectious material transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by creating an inexpensive, single-use intubation device that eliminates the risk of infectious material transmission. The device includes a stylet with integrated LED illumination and a flexible, translucent tube that can be discarded after one use, ensuring patient safety while maintaining visualization capability throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: the stylet provides structural support, the LED lights provide illumination, the translucent tube allows visualization of the airway, and the bellows mechanism enables stylet manipulation. This consolidation creates a complete, self-contained intubation system that is both functional and disposable.
2Ease of operation
If the patient's neck is extended to visualize vocal cords, then insertion is easier, but spinal cord injury may occur in patients with neck trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by enabling the operator to visualize and manipulate the airway without requiring external assistance for head positioning. The integrated LED illumination and flexible stylet allow the practitioner to perform the entire procedure independently, maintaining proper neck alignment while achieving successful intubation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameter by using LED lights that can be activated to illuminate the airway internally, replacing the need for external neck extension. The flexible, translucent tube allows light to travel through and illuminate the vocal cords from within, enabling visualization without manipulating the patient's neck position.
3Loss of time
If intubation is performed quickly to avoid brain death, then time is reduced, but proper placement becomes more difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by providing real-time visual confirmation through the flexible, translucent tube and LED illumination system. The operator can continuously observe the position of the tube tip and the appearance of the vocal cords during insertion, receiving immediate visual feedback that ensures proper tracheal placement while maintaining rapid procedure speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-shaping the stylet with a curved tip that is designed to naturally follow the anatomy of the airway. The stylet is pre-formed to guide the tube tip toward the vocal cords and through the glottis, reducing the need for complex manual manipulation during the procedure and ensuring accurate placement on first attempt.
4Strength
If a rigid stylet is used for structural support, then the tube maintains its shape, but it cannot adapt to difficult anatomical variations in the patient's throat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells by using a flexible, translucent tube that can bend and conform to the patient's unique airway anatomy. The tube maintains sufficient structural integrity to support the stylet while allowing the necessary flexibility to navigate difficult anatomical variations, including deviated tracheas and restricted neck movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a stylet with a flexible, curved tip that can be dynamically adjusted during insertion. The bellows mechanism allows the operator to manipulate the stylet tip position and angle in real-time, adapting to the specific anatomical challenges presented by each patient while maintaining overall structural support.
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
Facilitates rapid and safe airway tube placement in emergency situations, reducing the risk of accidental esophageal insertion and brain damage, while being affordable for single-use and reducing the risk of infectious transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows 28 constructed of a flexible, resilient material and having a generally elongated configuration with a front end, a rear end, a top surface and a bottom surface
Implementation Method 2
at least one LED light 24 mounted on the stylet distal from the bellows
Data Source
AI summary
An inexpensive, endo-tracheal intubation device is disclosed. Methods of making and using the inexpensive, endo-tracheal intubation device are also disclosed.