Endotracheal Tube Sensor for Accurate Depth Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in airway management during medical procedures is accurately determining the correct depth for securing an endotracheal tube to prevent endobronchial intubation, shallow placement, unintended extubation, and vocal cord damage from incorrectly inflated airway occlusion cuffs.
Innovation Solution
An endotracheal system with sensors supported by the tube, configured to detect surrounding anatomy and determine the distance between the detected anatomy and a known point, using signal processing to provide real-time depth location data and visualization for proper placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the endotracheal tube is positioned deeply to ensure secure airway management, then airway occlusion is improved, but the risk of endobronchial intubation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously detect the position of the endotracheal tube relative to anatomical landmarks (vocal cords, carina) and provide real-time feedback to the operator. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to adjust the tube position to achieve proper airway occlusion while avoiding deep placement that could cause endobronchial intubation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement methods (such as external markings and manual estimation) with sensor-based detection systems. The sensors detect anatomical structures and calculate the distance between the tube and these structures, providing objective, real-time position information that enables precise control of tube depth.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the endotracheal tube is positioned shallowly to avoid endobronchial intubation, then endobronchial intubation risk is reduced, but the risk of unintended extubation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system provides continuous feedback on the tube's position relative to the vocal cords and other anatomical landmarks. This feedback enables the operator to maintain the tube at the optimal depth that prevents extubation while avoiding deep placement, allowing for dynamic adjustment during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective manual assessment of tube depth with objective sensor-based measurement. The sensors detect the distance between the tube and anatomical structures, providing precise, real-time information that eliminates the uncertainty inherent in manual estimation and ensures the tube remains securely positioned.
3Reliability
If the airway occlusion cuff is inflated to secure the tube, then airway management is improved, but the risk of vocal cord damage from incorrect inflation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system detects the position of the airway occlusion cuff relative to the vocal cords and provides real-time feedback. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to inflate the cuff only after confirming its proper position, preventing inflation of the vocal cords which could cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the cuff's position relative to the vocal cords before allowing inflation. The sensors measure the distance between the cuff and the vocal cords, and only when the cuff is confirmed to be in the correct position (above the vocal cords) is inflation permitted, preventing harmful inflation of the vocal cords.
4Device complexity
If traditional manual methods are used to determine tube depth, then device complexity is minimized, but measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical measurement methods with sensor-based detection systems. The sensors detect anatomical structures and calculate distances automatically, providing precise measurement of tube depth without requiring complex external measurement devices or manual calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The endotracheal tube itself serves as the measurement device by incorporating sensors that detect its own position relative to anatomical landmarks. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate external measurement tools while providing precise, real-time position information.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for accurately detecting a position of an endotracheal tube by sensing patient anatomy surrounding the endotracheal tube. Systems of the present disclosure include an endotracheal tube having at least one sensor supported by the endotracheal tube configured to detect surrounding patient anatomy. A signal processing unit can receive data from the sensor and can at least one of (i) identify the detected patient anatomy, for example, vocal cords, (ii) determine a distance between the detected patient anatomy and a known point on the endotracheal tube, and (iii) verify a positioning of the endotracheal tube within a tracheal or esophageal lumen of the patient. In some embodiments, the system can include at least one inflatable component that can extend along an outer surface of the endotracheal tube and support the at least one sensor.