Extendable Overtube Structural Support for Flexible Elongate Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airway management devices, such as laryngeal mask airways, lack sufficient structural support for flexible elongate devices like catheters or bronchoscopes, leading to instability and potential prolapse of these devices during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus that movably couples a robotic system to an airway management device, utilizing an overtube with a flexible tubular portion and a connection mechanism that includes a locking mechanism to secure the overtube, providing structural support for flexible elongate devices beyond the distal end of the airway management device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an airway management device is used without additional support structures, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the flexible elongate device lacks structural support leading to instability and potential prolapse
Solution Approach 1:
The airway management system is divided into separate functional components: the base airway management device and an extendable overtube assembly. The overtube can be independently extended or retracted to provide support only when needed, allowing the system to transition between simple and supported states based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The overtube assembly incorporates a telescoping mechanism with extendable and retractable sections that can dynamically adjust the length and position of the support structure. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to provide structural support to the flexible elongate device only when required, rather than being permanently complex.
2Strength
If the overtube is made rigid to provide structural support, then the support strength is improved, but the ability to navigate through curved anatomic passageways is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The overtube is constructed with varying degrees of rigidity along its length, with more rigid sections providing structural support and more flexible sections enabling navigation through curved passageways. This localized variation in mechanical properties allows the tube to simultaneously provide support strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The overtube employs composite construction combining materials with different mechanical properties to achieve both structural support and flexibility. The composite structure allows rigid portions to maintain position and support the flexible elongate device while flexible portions can bend and conform to anatomical curves.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the overtube extends beyond the distal end of the airway management device, then structural support is improved, but the risk of tissue damage or trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end of the overtube incorporates a flexible, compliant tip section that can bend and conform to tissue contours rather than maintaining a rigid structure. This flexible termination reduces the risk of trauma while the proximal rigid portions provide the necessary structural support for positioning stability.
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
This solution ensures the stability and proper positioning of flexible elongate devices by providing additional structural support, preventing prolapse and ensuring accurate navigation to target destinations within the patient anatomy.
Implementation Method 1
The first lock part may include a threaded base. The second lock part may include a threaded wall configured to engage the threaded base of the first lock part.
Implementation Method 2
Relative movement between the threaded base of the first lock part and the threaded wall of the second lock part may cause the foot of the second lock part to compress a second seal, thereby causing the second seal to expand radially inward to engage the flexible tubular portion of the overtube.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for movably coupling a robotic system to an airway management device includes an overtube and a connection mechanism. The overtube includes a flexible tubular portion. The connection mechanism includes a first portion configured to be receive the overtube, a second portion configured to be connected with a proximal end of the airway management device, a lumen defined within the first portion and second portion, and a locking mechanism configured to connect to the flexible tubular portion of the overtube. When the overtube is connected with the connection mechanism, the flexible tubular portion of the overtube is within the lumen of the connection mechanism and extends distal to a distal end of the airway management device. The flexible tubular portion of the overtube structurally supports a flexible elongate device when the flexible elongate device is received within flexible tubular portion.