Head Frame Apparatus for Maxillofacial Surgery Oxygen Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

During maxillofacial surgery, maintaining an unrestricted flow of oxygen is critical to prevent cardiac arrest, and accurate reference points on the patient's face are essential for successful surgical outcomes, but existing methods often result in restricted oxygen flow and loss of reference points during preoperative modeling.

Innovation Solution

A head frame apparatus with removable devices to secure an endotracheal tube and anesthesia delivery circuit, along with a universal joint-based reference indicator system for easy positioning and adjustment, and a transport apparatus to protect and maintain reference points, combined with a bendable reference indicator system for articulator use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the endotracheal tube and anesthesia delivery circuit are taped to the face, then the patient receives oxygen during surgery, but the tube may be displaced and oxygen flow may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen flow reliabilityVSAvoidtube displacement risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anesthesia delivery system is segmented into multiple independent attachment points distributed across the head frame structure. The endotracheal tube and circuit are routed through separate channels and secured at different locations, so that displacement of one segment does not compromise the entire oxygen delivery system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The endotracheal tube is nested within a protective conduit that is itself attached to the head frame. The anesthesia delivery circuit is nested within a separate protective channel. This nested structure protects the tubes from displacement while maintaining their functional integrity throughout surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If reference points are easily positioned and removed during surgery, then surgical time is reduced, but the reference points may be inadvertently adjusted before surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidreference point accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Reference points are pre-positioned on the patient's face using temporary markers or pre-attached indicators before the surgical procedure begins. These preliminary reference points guide the placement of the final surgical reference points, ensuring accuracy while allowing for quick verification and adjustment during surgery without time-consuming measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A protective cap or cover is used as an intermediary element that shields the reference point indicators during transport and preparation. The cap can be quickly removed in the operating room to reveal the reference points, preventing inadvertent adjustment while enabling rapid access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the articulator is used to model surgery and identify reference points, then preoperative planning is improved, but the reference points are lost when the cast is removed from the articulator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreoperative modeling accuracyVSAvoidreference point loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Reference points are transferred from the articulator model to the patient's actual anatomy through a copying process. The articulator is used to establish precise reference relationships on plaster casts, then these same reference point locations are replicated on the patient's face using anatomical landmarks or temporary markers before surgery begins, preserving the modeling accuracy in the surgical field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The reference point system transitions from the articulator environment to the surgical environment by changing the physical state and location of the references. The articulator provides fixed reference points on rigid casts, while the surgical reference points are adapted to the patient's flexible soft tissue and bone surfaces, maintaining the spatial relationships established during modeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11351003B2Apparatus and method for oral and maxillofacial surgery and preoperative modeling

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 CHIN MARTIN

AI summary

A head frame apparatus is secured to a human head during maxillofacial surgery and includes devices to easily position and secure an endotracheal (breathing) tube and an anesthesia delivery circuit for the patient that reduces the likelihood that the flow of oxygen through the tube is restricted thereby reducing the risk of severe injury or death. The head frame apparatus also includes a removable reference indicator, which may be easily attached and removed while identifying a reference point of the patient's face. Also the reference indicator includes a universal joint and pointer with an attached ruler. A transport apparatus positions multiple preset reference indicators and allows for preoperative transportation and removal, while protecting the preset reference indicators from inadvertent adjustment. A bendable reference indicator used in an articulator for preoperative modeling allows for easily identifying reference points in a cast model. An orbiting segment apparatus positions a portion of a cast of a jaw in relation to a condyle ball of the articulator.