Intubation System Using Airway Pattern Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intubation methods face challenges such as delayed or incorrect placement of endotracheal tubes due to poor visualization and coordination, especially in patients with limited mouth opening or neck pathologies, leading to potential neurological damage or death.
Innovation Solution
An intubation system that uses a moveable guide stylet with airway pattern identification through sensors to detect topographical, gas exchange, or sound patterns, analyzing data to determine the trachea opening position and generate navigation elements for precise tube placement, allowing for accurate and fast identification even in difficult clinical situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If laryngoscope technique is used to obtain direct view of glottis, then visualization of trachea opening is improved, but intubation success rate deteriorates in patients with limited mouth opening or neck pathologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical laryngoscope system with an electromagnetic field-based solution. A catheter with radio frequency (RF) energy delivery capability is inserted into the airway, and RF energy is used to illuminate or highlight the glottis and vocal cords, enabling visualization without requiring mechanical manipulation of the airway structures. This substitution allows successful intubation in patients with limited mouth opening or neck pathologies who cannot accommodate traditional laryngoscope blades.
2Loss of information
If video laryngoscope is used to provide video image, then indirect visualization is improved, but ETT insertion accuracy deteriorates due to poor angle and visual-hand coordination issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a catheter with RF energy delivery capability and a detection system that identifies the glottis and vocal cords. This intermediary provides real-time feedback about the position of the endotracheal tube (ETT) relative to the target structures, enabling accurate insertion without relying on the operator's visual-hand coordination. The system acts as a mediator between the operator and the complex task of ETT placement, improving accuracy even when indirect visualization is used.
3Ease of operation
If manual two-hand coordination is used for blade and ETT insertion, then flexibility in handling is improved, but insertion precision deteriorates due to poor visual-hand coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the catheter with RF energy delivery capability automatically identifies and highlights the glottis and vocal cords, and the detection system automatically tracks the position of the ETT. This eliminates the need for manual two-hand coordination to maintain visual contact with the target structures. The system performs the visualization and positioning functions autonomously, allowing the operator to focus on guiding the ETT along the catheter without the burden of coordinating multiple manual tasks while maintaining precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional laryngoscope or video laryngoscope is used, then standard intubation procedure is maintained, but intubation speed and success rate deteriorate in difficult clinical situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal intubation system that can accommodate both standard and difficult clinical situations. The catheter with RF energy delivery capability and detection system can be used in routine intubations as well as in challenging cases involving limited mouth opening, neck pathologies, or obese patients. This multi-functional approach maintains procedure standardization while significantly improving intubation speed and success rate across all patient types, as the system adapts to various anatomical constraints without requiring specialized techniques or equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
An intubation system of the present disclosure intubates based on an airway pattern indicating a trachea opening. The airway pattern is determined from analysis of airway data detected by a trachea identifying device disposed on a moveable guide stylet of the intubation system. A navigation element is generated based on the airway pattern. In one embodiment, the airway pattern is a gas exchange pattern indicating a trachea opening. In another embodiment, the trachea opening transition pattern is a topographic pattern indicating a trachea opening. The guide stylet is capable of moving in a plurality of degrees of freedom in the airway following the guidance from the navigation element.