Integrated Laryngoscope Suction and Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laryngoscope devices face challenges in uncontrolled settings, such as helicopters or ambulances, where suctioning the airway is necessary before intubation, leading to delays and potential failure due to the need to toggle between the endotracheal tube and suction catheter, and fiberoptic cameras becoming covered with blood during trauma intubation.
Innovation Solution
A laryngoscope device integrating both visualization features, like lighting and video cameras, with suction components, featuring internal passageways for fluid intake and controlled suction, allowing for simultaneous suction and visualization, optimized for use in uncontrolled environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate tools are used for suction and visualization, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the operator must toggle between tools causing procedural delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suction catheter and laryngoscope blade into a single integrated device, allowing the operator to perform both suctioning and visualization functions simultaneously without toggling between separate tools, thereby reducing procedural delays and improving efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device enables a single tool to perform multiple functions: the laryngoscope blade provides visualization of the airway while the suction catheter simultaneously removes blood and secretions, making the device universal for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
2Measurement precision
If the fiberoptic camera is used for visualization, then detailed viewing of the airway is achieved, but the camera becomes covered with blood during trauma intubation rendering it useless
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the suction function from the visualization process by incorporating a dedicated suction catheter within the laryngoscope assembly, allowing continuous removal of blood and secretions from the field of view to maintain clear visualization throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated design allows continuous suctioning action to occur simultaneously with visualization, ensuring that the camera lens remains clear by continuously removing blood and secretions rather than allowing contamination to accumulate
3Productivity
If the right hand is used for suctioning, then effective suction can be performed, but the operator loses the ability to manipulate the endotracheal tube with the same hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the suction catheter with the laryngoscope blade assembly, allowing the operator to perform suctioning through the same hand that manipulates the endotracheal tube, eliminating the need to switch hands and improving operational efficiency
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
Enables efficient and clear visualization of the airway by maintaining a clean field of view and facilitating one-handed operation, reducing procedural delays and improving intubation success rates in challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The laryngoscope is equipped with a suction system that can be used to simultaneously suction and visualize the airway
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are laryngoscopes and other devices that include both a visualization feature and a suction component, to eliminate debris and bodily fluids and secretions that may accumulate on the visualization component. The devices may include one or more of the fluid intake ports that may be sized and located proximate to the operational ends of the visual-aid components, e.g., the camera lens or LED, to maintain a clean field of view for operation of the component. The internal passageways of the device are configured, dimensioned and/or shaped to facilitate desired fluid flow characteristics, flow rate, and/or pressure rates and facilitate methods of manufacturing the device.