Integrated Stylet Feeding Tube for Surfactant Delivery Without Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stylet-stiffened feeding tubes require removal before intratracheal instillation of pulmonary surfactant, risking injury and complicating the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A feeding tube with an integrated stylet that includes an anchor seated within an adapter, allowing the stylet to remain in place during surfactant delivery, preventing protrusion and enabling fluid flow through channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stylet is used to stiffen the feeding tube for tracheal insertion, then the ease of insertion is improved, but the stylet may protrude from the distal end causing patient injury
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet is nested within the feeding tube during insertion, and the anchor is nested within the adapter. This nested configuration allows the stylet to provide stiffening support during insertion while being contained within the feeding tube, preventing protrusion and potential injury to the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the stylet and the external environment. The anchor on the stylet is received by the adapter, which mediates the containment of the stylet, preventing it from protruding beyond the feeding tube while still allowing the stylet to fulfill its stiffening function during insertion.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a handle or loop is added to the stylet to prevent protrusion, then patient safety is improved, but the stylet must be removed before attaching a syringe for surfactant delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor and stylet are merged into an integrated assembly where the anchor is fixed to the proximal end of the stylet. This merged configuration allows the stylet to remain in place during surfactant delivery while the anchor is contained within the adapter, eliminating the need to remove the stylet and simplifying the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves multiple functions: it contains the anchor to prevent stylet protrusion, allows for syringe attachment for surfactant delivery, and maintains the stylet in position throughout the procedure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to remove the stylet, reducing procedural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the stylet is removed before surfactant delivery, then the feeding tube can be attached to the syringe, but the stylet must be reinserted after delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is preliminarily positioned within the adapter before surfactant delivery begins. This preliminary action ensures that the stylet remains contained and the feeding tube remains attached to the syringe throughout the delivery process, eliminating the need for removal and reinsertion of the stylet and reducing procedural time.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the anchor is designed to seat within the adapter, then the stylet is prevented from protruding, but fluid flow must be permitted through the anchor
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is designed with a porous or open structure that allows fluid to pass through it. This porous configuration enables the anchor to contain the stylet and prevent protrusion while simultaneously permitting surfactant to flow through the anchor and into the feeding tube for intratracheal delivery.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
A feeding tube with an integrated stylet, for use in less invasive surfactant therapy (LIST) procedures with pre-term infants, has a flexible feeding tube with distal and proximal ends and an adapter at the proximal end. A stylet with distal and proximal ends is positioned within the feeding tube and has an anchor at the proximal end. The anchor is configured to seat within the adapter to prevent the anchor from entering the feeding tube and has one or more channels extending through the anchor to permit fluid to flow from the adapter through the channels and through the feeding tube with the anchor remaining seated within the adapter.