Bronchoscope Switching Apparatus for Hypoxemia Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
During bronchoscopy procedures, patients often experience hypoxemia due to intravenous sedation and suction applied through the bronchoscope, which cannot be easily reversed without removing the bronchoscope, leading to interruptions and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a bronchoscope, a multi-fluid conduit apparatus, and a switching apparatus that allows for seamless switching between suction and oxygen supply through the working channel, enabling oxygen to be insufflated directly into the lungs without removing the bronchoscope, using a valve apparatus and actuator to control fluid communication between vacuum and oxygen sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxygen is supplied through the nose or mouth while the bronchoscope remains in the patient, then the procedure can continue without interruption, but it is difficult to get enough oxygen into the lungs to reverse the hypoxemia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary catheter that can be inserted through the working channel of the bronchoscope, allowing oxygen delivery to be nested within the existing bronchoscope structure. This enables direct oxygen delivery to the lungs while the bronchoscope remains in place, resolving the contradiction between procedure continuity and oxygen delivery effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible catheter as an intermediary device that delivers oxygen directly to the lungs through the bronchoscope's working channel. This intermediary approach allows oxygen to bypass the upper airway and deliver directly to the gas exchange surfaces, improving oxygen delivery effectiveness while maintaining procedure continuity
2Reliability
If the bronchoscope is withdrawn to provide supplemental oxygen and ventilatory support, then hypoxemia can be treated effectively, but the procedure must be restarted by reinserting the bronchoscope which is time consuming and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares a flexible catheter with oxygen delivery capability that can be quickly inserted through the bronchoscope's working channel when hypoxemia occurs. This preliminary preparation of the oxygen delivery system allows immediate treatment without removing the bronchoscope, eliminating procedure interruption time while maintaining effective hypoxemia treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygen delivery catheter is designed to be inserted through the working channel of the bronchoscope, nesting the oxygen delivery function within the existing bronchoscope structure. This eliminates the need to withdraw the bronchoscope for oxygen administration, preventing procedure interruption while ensuring effective hypoxemia treatment
3Ease of operation
If suction is applied through the bronchoscope channel to clear secretions, then visual field is improved and fluid samples are obtained, but air is sucked out of the airways which contributes to hypoxemia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible catheter as an intermediary oxygen delivery device that can operate simultaneously with suction. The catheter delivers oxygen directly to the lungs while suction clears secretions through the bronchoscope channel, counteracting the hypoxemia caused by suction while maintaining visual field quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous oxygen delivery through the flexible catheter while suction is applied through the bronchoscope channel. This continuous oxygen supplementation counteracts the hypoxemia caused by suction, allowing the suction operation to proceed without interruption while maintaining patient oxygenation
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
Enables rapid and effective treatment of hypoxemia during bronchoscopy without interrupting the procedure, maintaining airway patency and reducing risks by allowing oxygen delivery directly to the lungs while the bronchoscope remains in place.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source, and wherein the actuator apparatus is alterable between: (1) a suction supply state in which the vacuum source is in fluid communication with the working channel
Implementation Method 2
an oxygen source, and wherein the actuator apparatus is alterable between: (2) an oxygen supply state in which the oxygen source is in fluid communication with the working channel and the vacuum source is cut off from fluid communication with the working channel
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for performing a bronchoscopy. The system may include a bronchoscope, a multi-fluid conduit apparatus, and a switching apparatus. The bronchoscope may include an insertion tube having a distal end, a control section, and a working channel. The multi-fluid conduit apparatus may include a first conduit section operably coupled to a vacuum source, a second conduit section operably coupled to an oxygen source, and a third conduit section operably coupled to the working channel, each of the first and second conduit sections being fluidly coupled to the third conduit section. The switching apparatus may include a valve apparatus operably coupled to each of the first and second conduit sections and an actuator apparatus operably coupled to the valve apparatus. The actuator apparatus may alter the valve apparatus between: (1) a suction supply state; and (2) an oxygen supply state.