Resiliently Deformable Laryngeal Mask Head for Anatomical Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laryngeal mask airway devices face challenges such as difficulty in achieving a proper anatomical fit due to size limitations, causing pressure on the tongue and epiglottis, and requiring multiple sizes for different patient weights, which can lead to post-operative complications like laryngeal morbidity and fluid aspiration issues.
Innovation Solution
A laryngeal mask with a resiliently deformable head part that compresses for easy insertion and expands to fit various anatomical sizes, featuring a compressible material and design that accommodates the laryngeal region, along with distinct drainage tubes for fluid management, and a curved portion to avoid tongue compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a laryngeal mask is provided in fixed sizes for different patient weight ranges, then the device can be manufactured with standardized dimensions, but it cannot accommodate the natural variations in patient anatomy and may not suit each patient's specific needs
Solution Approach 1:
The head part of the laryngeal mask is designed to be resiliently deformable, allowing it to dynamically adapt its shape and size to fit different patient anatomies. The material properties enable the head part to deform under compression during insertion and then expand to conform to the patient's laryngeal structures, providing a customized fit without requiring multiple standardized sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the physical parameters of the head part material, specifically its resilience and deformability. The head part is made from a resilient material that can change its volume and shape in response to applied forces, allowing a single standardized device to adapt to various patient anatomies by changing its physical parameters rather than requiring multiple fixed-size versions.
2Strength
If the head part of the laryngeal mask is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the device provides stable ventilation, but it causes pressure on the tongue and epiglottis during insertion and use
Solution Approach 1:
The laryngeal mask employs different material properties in different regions: the head part is made from a resilient, deformable material that can compress and adapt to patient anatomy, reducing pressure on sensitive structures like the tongue and epiglottis. In contrast, other portions of the device maintain appropriate rigidity to provide structural integrity and stable ventilation. This local differentiation of material quality allows the device to simultaneously achieve comfort and structural stability.
3Ease of operation
If the head part is made compressible to reduce insertion difficulty and patient pressure, then the device can be easily inserted and adapted to anatomy, but it may compromise the structural stability needed for effective ventilation
Solution Approach 1:
The head part is designed with dynamic mechanical properties, being resilient and deformable during insertion to ease operation and patient comfort. Once positioned, the same resilient material provides stable ventilation by maintaining sufficient structural integrity to seal around the laryngeal structures. The dynamic nature of the material allows it to transition from a compliant insertion state to a stable operational state.
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 deformable mask provides a custom anatomical fit across a wide weight range, reducing the need for multiple sizes, minimizing post-operative complications, and enhancing fluid management, thus improving patient safety and clinical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the head part comprises a resiliently deformable portion positioned between the sealing face and the opposing face, the resiliently deformable portion being a preferentially deformable portion of the head part
Data Source
AI summary
A laryngeal mask includes a housing having a neck part and a head part extending from a first end of the neck part. The head part further includes a sealing face and an opposing face, the sealing face and the opposing face being connected by an enclosing wall extending upwardly from the sealing face. The sealing face has a peripheral seal for forming a seal around a larynx and having an opening arranged to be positioned over a laryngeal opening. An airway tube is positioned within the housing and extends from a second end of the neck part to the opening in the peripheral seal, wherein the head part includes a resiliently deformable portion positioned between the sealing face and the opposing face. The resiliently deformable portion is a deformable portion of the head part. The resiliently deformable portion has a protrusion and protrudes upwardly from the opposing face.