Courier Airway Device Inflatable Cuff Trauma Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures face challenges such as airway complications, suboptimal oxygenation and ventilation, and increased risk of aspiration due to the complexity and duration of procedures, especially in patients with comorbidities, leading to potential malpractice claims and patient safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A courier airway device with a tubular structure and inflatable cuff that serves as a guide for medical instruments and provides controlled ventilation, reducing soft tissue trauma and aspiration risk by creating a low resistance channel for gastric fluids and optimizing oxygenation through a dedicated ventilation duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If deep IV sedation and/or general anesthesia are used to improve patient satisfaction and facilitate optimal conditions for efficiency, then patient compliance and procedural efficiency are improved, but airway complications and respiratory arrest risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary airway device that acts as a mediator between the sedated patient's airway and the external environment. This device includes a cuff that can be inflated to seal the airway, a ventilation duct that provides controlled oxygen delivery, and a suction channel that removes secretions, thereby enabling safe deep sedation while maintaining airway control and reducing respiratory complications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex mechanical intubation and manual airway management with a simplified self-contained airway device. The inflatable cuff creates a seal through pressure, the ventilation duct delivers oxygen through a controlled pathway, and the suction channel removes secretions, substituting multiple manual interventions with an integrated mechanical system that improves airway safety during deep sedation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the endoscope is advanced through the mouth and airway passage to perform UGI procedures, then diagnostic and therapeutic access to the UGI tract is achieved, but airway trauma and glottis injury risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the inflatable cuff as an intermediary protective barrier between the endoscope and the patient's airway tissues. The cuff seals around the endoscope shaft, creating a protected tunnel through which the endoscope can be advanced without directly contacting and injuring the glottis and surrounding tissues, thereby reducing airway trauma while maintaining access to the UGI tract
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by inflating the cuff before advancing the endoscope through the airway. This pre-inflated cuff acts as a protective cushion that prevents direct contact between the endoscope and sensitive airway tissues, reducing the risk of glottis injury and airway trauma during the procedure
3Quantity of substance
If oxygen flow is increased to improve oxygenation during procedures, then oxygenation status improves, but hyperventilation and respiratory arrest risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces uncontrolled high-flow oxygen delivery with a controlled mechanical ventilation system. The ventilation duct includes a controlled opening that allows precise regulation of oxygen flow, replacing the mechanical risk of hyperventilation with a controlled system that delivers oxygen at optimal rates while maintaining proper ventilation and preventing respiratory arrest
4Quantity of substance
If airway adjustments are made during procedures to improve ventilation, then oxygenation improves, but procedural complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the airway device with the cuff inflated and sealed around the endoscope before the procedure begins. The ventilation duct is already in place and connected to the oxygen source, allowing immediate oxygen delivery without requiring time-consuming airway adjustments during the procedure, thereby improving oxygenation while minimizing procedural time
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 courier airway device enhances patient safety by minimizing airway trauma, optimizing oxygenation, and allowing for controlled respirations, particularly beneficial for patients with comorbidities undergoing complex or prolonged procedures, thereby reducing complications and improving procedural outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
the cuff is an inflatable ring
Implementation Method 2
The tubular structure also defines a ventilation duct for providing gases from a controlled ventilation machine to a patient
Implementation Method 3
creating a low resistance channel for gastric fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A courier airway device includes a tubular structure that defines a central channel through which a medical diagnostic or therapeutic device can be inserted. The tubular structure also defines a ventilation duct for providing gases from a controlled ventilation machine to a patient. A cuff is attached to the central channel. Characteristically, the cuff is an inflatable balloon-like ring.