Intubation Shield Assembly with Vacuum Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare practitioners are at risk of contagion during procedures involving patients with airborne illnesses, such as influenza or COVID-19, due to the lack of effective shielding and air removal systems during intubation, endoscopy, or bronchoscopy procedures.
Innovation Solution
An intubation assembly with a shield assembly that allows for the insertion of fiberoptic devices and endotracheal tubes while providing a transparent, adjustable, and vacuum-compatible barrier to reduce exposure to exhaled infectious particles, using a shield body that follows patient head movements and connects to a negative pressure vacuum system for air removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a shield assembly is introduced to protect healthcare practitioners from airborne pathogens, then protection against infectious particles is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for vacuum connections and multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly is divided into multiple segments including a front shield, back shield, and side shields that can be independently positioned and connected. This segmentation allows the complex protective function to be achieved through modular components rather than a single monolithic structure, making the complexity more manageable and the assembly more adaptable to different procedural needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum channel is nested within the shield assembly structure, with the channel integrated into the shield body and connecting ports built into the shield segments. This nesting eliminates the need for separate external vacuum tubing and connections, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the vacuum functionality for air removal.
2Illumination intensity
If the shield body is made transparent to maintain visibility of the patient and intubation area, then visibility is improved, but the material selection and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly utilizes transparent materials such as clear acrylic or polycarbonate that combine optical transparency with structural integrity. These composite materials allow the shield to maintain visibility functions while providing sufficient strength and rigidity for practical use during medical procedures, eliminating the need for complex manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shield assembly have different optical properties - the front shield and areas requiring visibility are made transparent, while other portions may be opaque or translucent. This local differentiation of material properties allows the shield to provide visibility where needed while maintaining structural strength and simplicity in other areas.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shield assembly is designed to follow patient head movements for optimal positioning, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the mechanism complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shield assembly incorporates flexible or articulated connections between shield segments that allow the structure to dynamically adapt to patient head movements. Rather than rigid fixed-positioning mechanisms, the shields can flex and reposition themselves to maintain optimal protective positioning, reducing the need for complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield assembly is designed to automatically adjust to patient head movements through its flexible structure and magnetic or elastic retention mechanisms. The system self-adjusts without requiring external actuators, motors, or complex control systems, maintaining protection effectiveness while minimizing added complexity and weight.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a vacuum system is integrated to remove exhaled air, then reduction of airborne pathogen spread is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system utilizes pneumatic principles with a vacuum source connected to the shield assembly through integrated channels. The vacuum pressure differential naturally draws exhaled air and particles away from the patient's face and through the shield, eliminating the need for active pumping mechanisms and reducing energy consumption to minimal levels for maintaining the vacuum differential.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum system is designed to remove only the necessary portion of exhaled air that contains infectious particles, rather than attempting to remove all air from the enclosure. This partial action approach achieves sufficient pathogen containment with lower energy consumption compared to complete air removal systems.
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 intubation assembly and shield assembly significantly reduce the risk of exposure to airborne pathogens by creating a seal and removing exhaled air, protecting both healthcare personnel and the environment, and can be used standalone or with a vacuum system.
Implementation Method 1
The intubation assembly and shield assembly according to the present invention, when disposed in such operable arrangement, may at least partially remove the patient's exhaled air
Data Source
AI summary
An intubation assembly, shield assembly and related systems configured to at least partially reduce the risk of contagion from airborne illnesses. The shield assembly may be operatively connected to a vacuum system to exert a negative pressure and/or may be used as a standalone component as a barrier to reduce contamination of the local environment between therapies, treatments and/or procedures. The shield assembly may comprise ports to attach a vacuum device to provide negative pressure. An intubation apparatus assembly may be disposed on the shield assembly. The shield assembly comprises a body with a plurality of side segments and/or a transparent component(s) with a shield opening disposed thereon. The shield opening may be used for insertion of the intubation apparatus. The shield assembly may also comprise another transparent component with a longitudinally disposed slot(s) for insertion of an endotracheal tube or other intubation apparatus(es).