Convertible Airway Interface for Oxygenation During Intubation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical procedures face challenges in maintaining adequate oxygen saturation during intubation, particularly in difficult airway cases, leading to prolonged interruptions and increased health risks.
Innovation Solution
A convertible user interface combining an oro-nasal mask and nasal cannula with separate gas flow supplies, allowing for independent delivery of anesthesia and high-flow oxygen to the nose or mouth, with adjustable occlusion and sealing mechanisms to maintain airway pressure and prevent collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed configuration of gas delivery device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different patient conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gas delivery device incorporates movable components including a movable selective engagement portion that can transition between positions to engage different delivery configurations (nasal cannula, oral, both), and a movable flow control valve that adjusts gas flow rates. This dynamic design enables the device to adapt to different patient conditions and delivery requirements without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through integrated movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a universal gas delivery system that can perform multiple functions through a single integrated structure. The selective engagement portion can be positioned to deliver gas via nasal cannula, oral route, or both simultaneously. The flow control valve can independently regulate gas flow for each delivery path. This multi-functionality allows one device to replace multiple specialized devices, improving adaptability to different patient conditions while the integrated design helps manage overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate gas delivery devices are used for different configurations, then adaptability to different patient conditions is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple gas delivery functions (nasal cannula delivery and oral delivery) into a single integrated device. The selective engagement portion combines the nasal cannula and oral delivery components into one unit that can be positioned to engage different anatomical structures. The flow control valve integrates control for both delivery paths into a single mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate devices and simplifies operation by providing a unified interface for configuring and controlling gas delivery, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves as a universal gas delivery system that can accommodate multiple delivery configurations through a single integrated structure. The selective engagement portion can be positioned to provide nasal, oral, or combined delivery based on patient needs. The flow control valve provides unified control for gas flow regulation across all delivery paths. This multi-functionality in a single device improves ease of operation by eliminating the need to switch between multiple separate devices, while still maintaining the adaptability to handle different patient conditions and delivery requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed flow rates are used for gas delivery, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to meet varying patient needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a movable flow control valve that can dynamically adjust gas flow rates in real-time. The valve is positioned within the flow path and can be moved to different positions to regulate the amount of gas delivered through the nasal cannula and/or oral delivery paths. This dynamic flow control capability allows the device to adapt to varying patient needs and respiratory requirements, improving adaptability while the mechanical valve design keeps the complexity manageable through a straightforward flow regulation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes pre-configured flow control settings and positioning options for the selective engagement portion. The flow control valve can be pre-positioned at different flow rates, and the nasal cannula and oral delivery components can be pre-configured for different delivery patterns. This preliminary configuration capability allows the device to be quickly adapted to different patient needs without requiring complex real-time adjustments, thereby improving adaptability while managing device complexity through pre-established control options.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A user interface convertible between a nasal configuration and an oral configuration. The user interface has a nasal cannula and a mouthpiece. The nasal cannula has a body portion and at least one prong extending from the body portion, the prong being adapted to direct a flow of gas into a nare of a user's nose. The mouthpiece is adapted to engage the mouth of the patient and direct a flow of gas into a user's mouth. In the nasal configuration the prong of the nasal cannula is adapted to direct a flow of gases into a nare of the patient. In the oral configuration, the nasal cannula is engaged with the mouthpiece such that a gases flow is provided to at least the mouth of the user.