Bite Block Airway Mount for Surgical Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available bite blocks for transoral procedures are often easily dislodged, uncomfortable, and fail to provide adequate working space for surgical instruments, while also posing challenges in maintaining a secure airway without restricting instrument access.
Innovation Solution
A novel bite block design incorporating a nasopharyngeal airway mount that integrates with the bite block, allowing the airway to extend into the oral cavity, providing a secure airway and increased access for instruments, with a friction fit or snap fit arrangement to secure the airway in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nasopharyngeal airway is inserted nasally to maintain airway, then airway is maintained, but instrument access is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bite block as an intermediary device that mounts the airway externally, mediating between the airway maintenance function and instrument access requirement. The bite block serves as a platform that holds the airway in position without interfering with the surgical field, allowing both functions to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the airway from a nasal route (one dimension) to an oral route via bite block mounting (another dimension). By placing the airway mount on the bite block that extends into the oral cavity, the airway is positioned in a different spatial dimension that does not conflict with instrument access through the nasal or oral surgical pathways.
2Ease of operation
If a bite block is designed to hold instruments, then instrument access is provided, but the bite block is easily dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the airway mount function with the bite block structure into a single integrated device. The airway mount is formed as an integral part of the bite block, combining instrument access capability with airway maintenance and improved stability through the combined structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the bite block. The airway mount portion is designed with specific geometric features (such as tapered surfaces and engagement geometries) that provide localized stability and resistance to dislodgement, while the main body maintains instrument access capabilities.
3Reliability
If the airway mount is large to accommodate the airway, then airway is secured, but working area for instruments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bite block into distinct functional zones: the airway mount portion that secures the airway and the main body that provides instrument access. The airway mount is designed as a separate, localized structure with minimal footprint, concentrating the airway-securing function in a small area while preserving the larger working area for instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The airway mount utilizes the vertical dimension and side openings of the bite block rather than occupying the central working area. By positioning the airway mount on the outer surface or in side openings of the bite block, the design secures the airway in a different spatial plane that does not encroach on the instrument working area.
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
The design enhances the stability and comfort of the bite block, maintains a secure airway, and provides sufficient access for surgical instruments, addressing the limitations of existing bite blocks by integrating a nasopharyngeal airway to function as an oral pharyngeal airway.
Implementation Method 1
The mount may be configured to mate with the flared end of the nasopharyngeal airway in a friction fit arrangement
Implementation Method 2
The mount may be configured to mate with the flared end of the nasopharyngeal airway in a snap fit arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A bite block 20 for use during transoral medical procedures has a main lumen 42 and a side mount 110 for receiving a separately inserted airway 160. The airway 110 may be a commercially available nasopharangeal airway which is inserted in mount 110 and extends into the oral cavity so as to effectively function as oral pharangeal airway.