Disposable Intubation Aid with Soft Probe and Control String
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endotracheal intubation assistance apparatuses are complex, difficult to operate, and require cumbersome cleaning and disinfection, making them impractical for widespread use in medical settings.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable intubation aid comprising a body with an inner arcuate face, a control string, and a probe made of soft material, allowing for easy bending and deformation to facilitate the insertion of an endotracheal tube into a patient's trachea, and designed for disposable use to reduce cleaning and disinfection burdens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex endotracheal intubation assistance apparatus with multiple components (movable tubular stylet, graspable controller, viewing device) is used, then the intubation operation can be assisted, but the device complexity increases and cleaning and disinfection become troublesome and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the intubation aid into three functional segments: a body portion, a control string, and a probe. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall structure compared to integrated complex devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential functional elements needed for intubation assistance, removing unnecessary complex components like graspable controllers and viewing devices found in prior art. The solution focuses on the core function of guiding the endotracheal tube through the throat.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent describes the intubation aid as a disposable device that can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex cleaning and disinfection procedures. This single-use approach resolves the contradiction between providing reliable assistance and avoiding cumbersome maintenance.
2Reliability
If a complex endotracheal intubation assistance apparatus is used, then the intubation operation can be assisted, but the cleaning and disinfection after use become troublesome and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explicitly describes the intubation aid as a disposable device that is discarded after use. This eliminates all cleaning and disinfection requirements while maintaining full intubation assistance functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If the probe is made of soft material to facilitate bending and deformation, then the insertion of endotracheal tube becomes easier, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the device. The probe is made of soft material at the insertion end to facilitate bending and ease of insertion, while the body portion maintains sufficient structural strength. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and strength.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable intubation aid is provided to solve the problem of inserting an endotracheal tube into a patent's trachea. The adjustable intubation aid includes a body, a control string, and a probe. The body includes a first end and a second end. An inner arcuate face is formed between the first end and the second end of the body. The second end of the body includes a head. The control string includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the control string is connected to the inner arcuate face of the body. The second end of the control string includes a pulling portion having a slot with an opening. The body is inserted into the slot via the opening. The probe is made of soft material and envelops the first end of the body.