Endotracheal Tube Cuff Wrinkle Prevention via Inflated Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tracheal tubes with inflatable cuffs often develop permanent wrinkles and folds during storage and sterilization, leading to leak paths that compromise sealing effectiveness when inflated for use.

Innovation Solution

Inflating the cuff before transportation and using a protective package with a non-stretchable region that conforms to the inflated shape to prevent deformation and support the cuff during storage and sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cuff is left deflated during storage and sterilization, then the device is easier to handle and store, but the cuff develops permanent wrinkles and folds that compromise sealing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handling and storageVSAvoidsealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cuff is inflated before storage and sterilization to establish the proper shape and prevent wrinkle formation. This preliminary action ensures that when the device is later used, the cuff maintains its integrity and sealing capability without developing permanent deformations from being deflated during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the cuff is inflated during storage and sterilization, then the shape and sealing integrity are maintained, but the device requires more space and may be more difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidhandling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible, form-fitting cover is placed over the inflated cuff to maintain its shape during storage and sterilization. The cover conforms to the inflated cuff's geometry, providing external support that prevents wrinkle formation while keeping the overall package compact and manageable. This approach maintains sealing integrity without significantly increasing handling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a protective package is used that conforms to the inflated cuff shape, then the cuff is protected from deformation, but the packaging becomes more complex and may require custom molding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuff shape maintenanceVSAvoidpackaging manufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rigid custom-molded packaging, a flexible form-fitting cover is used to protect the inflated cuff. This cover can be manufactured using simpler processes such as heat sealing or stretching over the cuff, eliminating the need for complex custom molding while still providing effective shape maintenance and protection during storage and sterilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8684175B2Method for shipping and protecting an endotracheal tube with an inflated cuff

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

An inflatable cuff may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. Packaging and transporting of these cuffs while inflated may provide for decreased wrinkles and thereby improved sealing of the trachea. Provided is a package for a medical device with an inflatable region, comprising a substantially non-stretchable region that substantially conforms to the shape of the inflatable region of the medical device when the inflatable region is inflated.