Hydrogel-Coated Oral Suction Device for Secretion Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endotracheal intubation poses a risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia due to the aspiration of oral and gastric secretions, as existing suction devices can cause abrasions and desiccation, leading to complications like ulcers and infections, and fail to maintain effective sealing of the trachea.
Innovation Solution
An oral suction device with a hydrogel or non-hydrogel silicone coating on a sponge, which provides gentle contact and maintains moisture, combined with intermittent suction and an esophageal stethoscope and electronic temperature probe, effectively removes secretions from the oral cavity and throat without causing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suction device is used to remove oral secretions, then the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia is reduced, but the device may cause abrasions and desiccation leading to ulcers and infections
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrogel coating is applied as an intermediary layer between the suction device and the patient's oral mucosa. This hydrogel layer provides gentle contact that prevents abrasions and maintains moisture, thereby preventing ulcers and infections while still allowing the suction device to effectively remove oral secretions and prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia
Solution Approach 2:
The suction pressure is adjusted to provide gentle suction action. By optimizing the suction pressure parameter, the device effectively removes oral secretions to prevent pneumonia while minimizing tissue damage and desiccation effects
2Reliability
If an inflatable cuff is used to seal the trachea, then oral secretions are prevented from reaching the lungs, but excessive pressure may cause damage to the trachea
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure monitoring is implemented to provide feedback on the cuff pressure. This allows adjustment of the cuff pressure to maintain adequate sealing of the trachea to prevent aspiration of oral secretions, while avoiding excessive pressure that could cause tracheal damage
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff pressure is optimized to provide the minimum necessary pressure for effective sealing. By adjusting the pressure parameter to the lowest effective level, the device prevents aspiration while minimizing the risk of tracheal damage from excessive pressure
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 device prevents ventilator-associated pneumonia by efficiently removing oral secretions, reducing the risk of infection, and maintaining patient comfort by avoiding ulcers and dryness, while being cost-effective and easy to operate.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogel coating on the sponge... provides gentle contact with the mucosa and maintains the mouth and throat wet
Implementation Method 2
applying suction to the oral suction device... effectively removes secretions from the oral cavity and throat
Data Source
AI summary
An oral suction device includes a suction catheter having a suction portion at a first end, a sponge surrounding the suction portion, a hydrogel or non-hydrogel polymer coating on the sponge, and a suction tubing connector on a second end opposite the first end. In some aspects the coating is a hydrogel coating that does not have macropores. A method of making an oral suction device may include dip-coating a sponge and forming macropores in the coating during the coating process.