External Tracheal Prosthesis with Elastic Biasing for Airway Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bronchotracheomalacia leads to tracheal collapse due to segmental or diffuse tracheal or bronchial weakness, resulting in symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, and respiratory failure, with existing treatments involving invasive procedures like internal stenting and open surgery, which have complications such as airway obstruction and the need for permanent external appliances.
Innovation Solution
A prosthesis with a first and second member, each having teeth, and a biasing member to apply tension on the membranous trachea, attached externally to prevent collapse, using a minimally invasive method involving a small incision and mediastinoscope, with a screw mechanism to facilitate pivotal movement and elastic biasing for support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If internal stenting is used to treat tracheal collapse, then airway support is improved, but granulation tissue formation occurs leading to airway obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the stent inside the trachea (internal support), the invention inverts the approach by placing the stent outside the trachea (external support). The external stent applies radial force through the tracheal wall to maintain airway patency, avoiding direct contact with the internal airway mucosa and thus preventing granulation tissue formation while still providing effective airway support.
2Ease of operation
If tracheostomy is performed to treat tracheal collapse, then airway access is improved, but permanent external appliance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the support mechanism from the internal dimension (inside the trachea) to the external dimension (outside the trachea). By applying support forces from the external side through the tracheal wall, the device achieves airway stabilization without requiring tracheostomy or permanent internal appliances, thus simplifying the overall treatment approach.
3Reliability
If open surgery with large incisions is performed to reinforce the trachea, then structural support is improved, but surgical trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trachea is divided into multiple segments, with individual stents placed at specific locations where collapse occurs. This segmented approach allows targeted support without requiring extensive open surgery across the entire tracheal length, reducing surgical trauma while maintaining structural support at critical areas.
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 prosthesis effectively prevents tracheal collapse by applying tension to the membranous portion, reducing symptoms and avoiding the need for invasive surgeries, providing a minimally invasive and adjustable external support for the airway.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member is adapted to bias the first member relative to the second member to a first position. The first member and the second member are disposed away from the first position when engaged with the trachea and apply a tension force on the membranous portion.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthesis for attachment to an external surface of a trachea and support a membranous portion of the trachea is disclosed. The prosthesis includes a first member, a second member and a biasing member engaged with the first member and the second member. The first member has at least one first tooth adapted to be inserted inside the membranous portion. The second member is movably coupled to the first member and includes at least one second tooth disposed substantially opposite to the at least one first tooth. The at least second tooth is configured to be inserted inside the membranous portion. The biasing member biases the first member relative to the second member to a first position. The first member and the second member are disposed away from the first position when engaged with the trachea applying a tension force on the membranous portion.