Endotracheal Tube Inserting Device With Ratchet Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endotracheal tube inserting devices face challenges in positioning the tube correctly, especially in patients with challenging anatomy, and struggle with safely removing the tube from the stylet without causing unintended displacement or injury.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a tube ejecting mechanism with a ratchet mechanism that allows stepwise movement of the endotracheal tube along the stylet, facilitating smooth ejection and reducing friction, along with a bendable tip part that can be arbitrarily shaped for better airway alignment, and a disposable stylet part for enhanced safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional stylet with uni-directional end cap is used, then the stylet prevents moving forward to lower risk of trauma, but the endotracheal tube cannot be easily ejected or repositioned along the stylet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of traumaVSAvoidejection and repositioning of endotracheal tube

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet employs a ratchet mechanism that allows unidirectional movement (preventing backward motion to avoid trauma) while permitting forward movement for tube ejection and repositioning. The ratchet teeth engage with the tube connector to allow controlled advancement but prevent retrograde motion, dynamically adapting the constraint based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ratchet mechanism changes the mechanical constraint parameter from completely fixed (conventional uni-directional end cap) to selectively movable (ratchet-controlled). This allows the system to transition between a locked state (preventing trauma) and a movable state (enabling tube ejection and repositioning) based on procedural requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If rigid stylets with preformed curvature are used, then airway visuality is improved, but the tip has no individual maneuverability for complex airway alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway visualityVSAvoidtip maneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet is divided into a rigid proximal portion (maintaining preformed curvature for structural support and visuality) and a flexible distal tip portion (allowing individual maneuverability). This segmentation enables the proximal rigid section to provide stable airway visualization while the distal flexible section can be independently manipulated to navigate complex airway geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the stylet have different mechanical properties: the proximal portion is rigid for structural integrity and visuality, while the distal tip is flexible for maneuverability. This local differentiation of mechanical qualities allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If beads are arranged on metal wires to create articulating stylet, then multi-directional bending capability is achieved, but bead dislocation may occur causing injury or preventing retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-directional bending capabilityVSAvoidbead stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet with bead articulation is designed as a disposable single-use device. This eliminates the reliability concern of bead dislocation during storage and handling, as each new device starts with properly positioned beads. The disposable nature ensures that wear, dislocation, or degradation from previous uses does not compromise patient safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The beads are nested within a protective sheath or housing that prevents dislocation while allowing the articulating mechanism to function. This nested structure keeps the beads contained and properly positioned throughout the procedure, preventing the harmful effect of bead dislocation while maintaining the beneficial multi-directional bending capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Measurement precision

If the endotracheal tube is manually advanced along the stylet, then positioning control is achieved, but friction and difficulty in ejection increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning controlVSAvoidejection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A ratchet mechanism acts as an intermediary between the tube connector and the stylet, mediating the interaction between positioning control and ejection. The ratchet allows controlled advancement (positioning) while facilitating smooth ejection by reducing friction through its mechanical engagement design, eliminating the need for forceful manual advancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11752290B2Endotracheal tube-inserting device

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 TURMIDAS AB

AI summary

An endotracheal tube inserting device (1;1′) of the kind comprising a stylet part (3; 3′), a handle part (2;2′), and an endotracheal tube (1) on the stylet part (3), and a tube ejecting mechanism (65; 65′) to advance the endotracheal tube off the stylet part (3; 3′) once inserted in the correct position inside the patient's airways.