Flexible Guide Tube for Tracheal Tube Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing second-generation video-laryngoscopes face challenges in easily inserting a tracheal tube into the endotracheal space due to a significant gap between the observing point and the tracheal tube path, making it difficult to align the tube with the glottis for insertion.

Innovation Solution

A tracheal tube insertion aid kit is provided, comprising a flexible guide tube with a tapered and rounded distal end, along with a guide wire and a holding part, which can be used in conjunction with an indirect glottis viewing type laryngoscope to facilitate the insertion of the tracheal tube into the endotracheal space. The guide tube is guided by the guide wire, and the holding part is detachably attached to the laryngoscope blade, allowing for adjustable positioning and easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a second-generation video-laryngoscope is used to observe the larynx indirectly, then the larynx can be observed or treated while being observed, but the tracheal tube cannot always be easily inserted into the glottis due to a large gap between the observing point and the tracheal tube path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability of laryngoscopeVSAvoidease of tracheal tube insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guide tube as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the laryngoscope observing point and the glottis. The guide tube is inserted through the intraoral space and positioned in the glottis under visual guidance from the laryngoscope, serving as a mediator that enables accurate tracheal tube placement while maintaining the advantages of indirect visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide tube is inserted and positioned in the glottis before the actual tracheal tube insertion. This preliminary positioning creates a ready-made pathway that simplifies the subsequent tracheal tube placement, allowing the operator to follow the pre-established guide tube into the endotracheal space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If a rigid guide structure is used to align the tracheal tube with the glottis, then alignment precision is improved, but the ability to adapt to different patient anatomies is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precision of tracheal tubeVSAvoidadaptability to different patient anatomies

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide tube is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to bend and conform to the specific anatomical variations of different patients. The tube can be manually shaped by the operator to match the individual patient's oral cavity and pharyngeal anatomy while still providing precise guidance to the glottis, thus combining adaptability with alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the guide tube, particularly its flexibility and bendability, are optimized to allow it to adapt to different anatomical configurations. The tube can change its shape parameters in response to manual manipulation and anatomical constraints, enabling it to serve as an effective guide across diverse patient populations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 kit enables easy and precise insertion of the tracheal tube into the endotracheal space by adjusting the guide tube's bent state according to the glottis position, reducing the risk of damage and improving workability during the procedure, while also reducing the number of parts and costs.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion on a distal end side of the guide tube has flexibility

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the portion on the distal end side of the guide tube may be formed in a tapered shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTapered shape: Geometry

Implementation Method 3

a corner of the portion on the distal end side of the guide tube may be formed to be rounded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRounded corner: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS11464403B2Tracheal tube insertion aid kit

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 TEIKYO UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A tracheal tube insertion aid kit (1) assists in inserting a tracheal tube (9) from an oral cavity (B) of a patient (A) into an endotracheal space (E) through a glottis (D) using an indirect glottis viewing type laryngoscope (2) not equipped with the tracheal tube (9). The tracheal tube insertion aid kit (1) includes a guide tube (11) having flexibility and formed to be insertable into the endotracheal space (E) from the oral cavity (B) through the glottis (D), and a guide wire (12) formed to be insertable through the inside of the guide tube (11) and insertable into the endotracheal space (E) from the oral cavity (B) through the glottis (D).