Laryngeal Mask With Nested Inflatable Cushion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laryngeal masks with laterally arranged annular cushions face challenges during insertion due to the cushion behaving as an independent structural component, leading to increased head size, difficulty in insertion, risk of catching in anatomical structures, and potential contamination and damage.
Innovation Solution
A laryngeal mask design featuring a head part and annular cushion where the annular cushion is folded back and covered by a releasable covering element, which is connected to the head part to prevent protrusion and maintain sterility, allowing for controlled release and inflation, thereby reducing the effective head size and minimizing insertion difficulties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the annular cushion is arranged laterally on the head part, then the head part size can be reduced, but the cushion protrudes during insertion and behaves as an independent structural component
Solution Approach 1:
The deflated annular cushion is inserted within the hollow interior space of the head part, nesting the cushion inside the mask structure. This prevents the cushion from protruding laterally during insertion, allowing the head part to maintain a compact size while the cushion remains contained until inflation at the application position.
2Volume of moving object
If the annular cushion is folded under the head part, then the head size is reduced, but the cushion may become unfolded during insertion and get caught in surrounding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is nested within the hollow head part structure, which provides containment and prevents the cushion from becoming unfolded or detached during insertion. The head part acts as a protective housing that maintains cushion position stability while keeping the overall device compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion is pre-positioned in a deflated state within the head part interior before insertion. This preliminary positioning ensures the cushion remains contained and stable during the insertion process, preventing it from becoming caught in surrounding anatomical structures.
3Reliability
If the annular cushion is arranged at the bottom of the head part, then the cushion is secured, but the head part lateral dimensions must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging the cushion laterally or at the bottom of the head part, the invention positions the cushion in the vertical dimension by nesting it within the hollow interior space of the head part. This dimensional repositioning allows the cushion to be securely contained without increasing the head part's lateral dimensions.
4Ease of operation
If the annular cushion protrudes during insertion, then the cushion can be positioned, but it increases the effective head size and may get caught in anatomical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is nested within the hollow head part, preventing lateral protrusion that would increase the effective head size. The cushion is positioned correctly through inflation at the application position rather than through protrusion during insertion, maintaining a compact profile throughout the insertion process.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a laryngeal mask having a head part and an inlet tube, with a passage formed between a laryngeal opening of the head part and an inlet opening of the inlet tube. The laryngeal mask also includes: (1) a covering element encompassing the annular cushion and connected to the outer part of the head part towards the inlet tube from the connection of the annular cushion, where a releasable connection is formed circumferentially in the covering element or at the connection of the head part and the covering element; and (2) a puller element connected to an inner side of the covering element towards the laryngeal opening, and pullable from the inlet tube through the inlet opening, the puller element adapted for removing at least one part of the covering element through the inlet opening of the inlet tube by releasing the releasable connection.