Flexible Stylet Tracheal Intubation Device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tracheal intubation devices are cumbersome, difficult to use in patients with small mouth openings or complex anatomies, often require two operators, and can cause trauma or be impossible to perform in emergency situations, especially when patients have limited neck mobility or are in hard-to-reach positions.

Innovation Solution

A device with a compact, flexible guide element and endotracheal tube retaining mechanism that allows single-operator intubation, featuring a handle with a blade element and a connecting element that facilitates easy insertion and retention of the tube, along with integrated features for aspiration and local anesthesia, and an adjustable display for optimal visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional laryngoscope devices are used, then intubation can be performed in standard conditions, but the procedure becomes impossible or extremely difficult in patients with small mouth openings (less than 30 mm) or complex anatomies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different patient anatomiesVSAvoidease of intubation in difficult cases

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the intubation function into separate components: a stylet with curvature control, an endotracheal tube, and a laryngoscope blade. The stylet can be independently shaped and inserted into the tube before insertion, allowing the operator to pre-form the tube curvature to match specific patient anatomies without requiring a large blade or complex positioning maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stylet is made flexible and malleable, allowing it to be bent into different curvatures using stylet holders or by hand. This dynamic adaptability enables the same device to accommodate various patient anatomies (small mouth, short neck, receding chin, obesity) by adjusting the stylet curvature rather than requiring different rigid blade sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the patient's head is extended or inclined to facilitate intubation, then the airway can be visualized more easily, but permanent damage to the spinal cord may occur in patients with spinal traumas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedifficulty of airway visualizationVSAvoidspinal cord damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet is pre-shaped or pre-curved to match the desired path through the patient's airway before insertion. This preliminary configuration of the tube curvature allows the operator to guide the endotracheal tube along a predetermined safe path without requiring head extension or inclination maneuvers that could endanger patients with spinal injuries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a semi-rigid and malleable stylet is inserted in the endotracheal tube to impress curvature, then the tube can reach the vocal cords, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reach vocal cordsVSAvoidcomplexity of intubation procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet is designed to be easily manipulated by the operator using simple stylet holders or by hand, allowing quick shaping and insertion without requiring complex devices or multiple operators. The stylet's flexibility enables it to self-adjust to the tube's curvature as it is inserted, reducing the need for complex positioning maneuvers or additional instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If two healthcare operators are used for intubation, then the procedure can be performed more completely, but the procedure becomes more laborious and articulated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of intubation procedureVSAvoidsimplicity of procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The laryngoscope blade is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both the visualizing instrument and the guide for tube insertion. The blade includes integrated features such as a groove for stylet insertion, a channel for tube passage, and positioning structures that eliminate the need for separate instruments or operators for each function, allowing a single operator to perform all steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3270762B1Device for tracheal intubation

Publication Date: 2019.01.23 DUEPUNTOZERO SRL

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5

AI summary

A device (1) for tracheal intubation, comprising: at least a handle (2); - at least a blade element (29) defining an extremity of the device (1) and intended to be introduced inside a patient's mouth; at least a connecting element (15) interposed between the handle (2) and the blade element (29); at least an endotracheal tube (6) intended to be inserted into a patient's trachea, where the handle (2) has removable retaining means (4, 5) for retaining at least a stretch of the endotracheal tube (6); at least a flexible guide element (10) which is insertable inside the endotracheal tube (6); guide means (9) for sliding the guide element (10), able to cooperate with at least a stretch of the guide element (10) itself and defined on the blade element (29), the endotracheal tube (6) being released from the guide means (9) and the guide element (10) being released from the connecting element (15); at least an image display device (19) operatively connectable to image acquisition means (27) associable with at least one of the guide means (9) and the guide element (10).