Handheld Intubation System with Automatic Position Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current airway management techniques, such as direct laryngoscopy, video laryngoscopy, and flexible intubation scopes, face challenges in visualization, navigation, and placement of endotracheal tubes, leading to suboptimal success rates and increased complications during tracheal intubation.

Innovation Solution

A handheld intubation system equipped with an endotracheal tube introducer and a video camera at its distal tip, which allows for automatic calibration of the introducer's position relative to the endotracheal tube using video signals, enhancing visualization, navigation, and placement during tracheal intubation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional techniques (direct laryngoscopy, video laryngoscopy, flexible intubation scopes) are used for tracheal intubation, then the procedure can be performed, but the first-pass success rates are suboptimal and complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirst-pass success rateVSAvoiddifficulty in visualization, navigation, and placement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A robotic actuator serves as an intermediary between the operator and the endotracheal tube, providing automated mechanical assistance for navigation and placement. The actuator receives control signals from the operator and executes precise movements to guide the tube through the airway, reducing the skill barrier and improving first-pass success rates while maintaining ease of operation through automated assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical manipulation of the endotracheal tube is replaced with an automated robotic actuation system. The mechanical system uses motorized control to perform the navigation and placement actions that would otherwise require skilled manual dexterity, thereby improving reliability without compromising ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual manipulation of the endotracheal tube is performed, then placement can be achieved, but airway trauma increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement accuracyVSAvoidairway trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Rough manual mechanical manipulation is replaced with controlled robotic actuation. The robotic system provides precise, controlled mechanical movements that reduce tissue damage while maintaining placement accuracy. The automated control mechanism ensures consistent force application and positioning, thereby improving reliability and reducing airway trauma simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If automated calibration of introducer position is implemented, then visualization and navigation are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition calibration accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-calibration using the video camera and processing unit to automatically determine the relative positions of the introducer and endotracheal tube. The system captures images, processes them to identify anatomical landmarks, and computes calibration data without requiring external measurement devices or complex manual procedures. This self-service approach improves measurement precision while keeping the added complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses video feedback from the camera to continuously monitor and adjust the calibration. The processing unit analyzes the video signals to determine the spatial relationship between components and provides real-time feedback for accurate positioning. This feedback mechanism improves measurement precision through iterative refinement while maintaining relatively simple hardware requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250161609A1Robotic-assisted navigation and control for airway management procedures, assemblies and systems

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 SPIRO ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

Airway management methods, devices and systems that include calibrating at least one aspect of an introducer relative to at least one other part of the system or device. Calibrating may be used in intubation procedures such as tracheal intubation, but may be used in other airway management procedures. One aspect of this disclosure is a method of calibrating a position of an endotracheal tube introducer, comprising: with a handheld intubation system, calibrating a position of a distal tip of an endotracheal tube introducer relative to at least one component of the handheld intubation system.