Mandibular Flange Airway Device for Tongue Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oral airway devices fail to maintain an unobstructed airway during anesthesia, sedation, and CPR due to the lack of a mandibular protracting jaw thrusting mechanism, which is essential for preventing the tongue from falling back and obstructing the airway, especially in obese patients and those with larger tongues, leading to difficulties in ventilation and increased caregiver workload.
Innovation Solution
The development of a mandibular protracting oral airway device that includes a bite block with a mandibular flange to protract the lower jaw, preventing the tongue from falling back by engaging the genioglossus muscle and maintaining an open oropharyngeal airway, thus allowing for easier ventilation and reducing the need for continuous manual jaw thrusting by caregivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional oral airway devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the airway cannot be maintained open due to lack of mandibular protracting mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a bite block portion with mandibular flange for jaw protraction, a curved body for tongue stabilization, and a lip flange for positioning. Each segment performs a specific function to collectively maintain airway patency while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandibular flange is designed to protract the lower jaw automatically upon insertion, performing the jaw thrust action in advance before ventilation begins. This preliminary mechanical action prevents tongue obstruction proactively, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention.
2Reliability
If manual jaw thrusting is performed continuously by caregivers, then the airway remains open, but the caregiver workload increases and hands are occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service by mechanically maintaining mandibular protraction and tongue positioning through its built-in flange structures. Once inserted, the device autonomously maintains airway patency without requiring continuous manual jaw thrusting, freeing the caregiver's hands for other tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The oral airway device acts as an intermediary between the patient's anatomy and the ventilation system. It mediates the airway maintenance function by physically preventing tongue obstruction, thereby eliminating the need for direct manual intervention while ensuring reliable airway patency.
3Reliability
If the tongue is allowed to fall back naturally, then the device structure is simple, but the oropharyngeal airway becomes obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The curved body portion of the device is specifically designed to contact and stabilize the tongue at its root, providing localized support where needed. This targeted approach prevents tongue collapse into the oropharynx without requiring complex mechanisms, addressing the specific problem area with a focused structural solution.
Data Source
AI summary
A lower jaw thrusting (LJT) mandibular protracting oral airway device including an elongate member with a distal end and a proximal end defining an air passageway channel. The elongate member includes a lip flange, a curved main body, and a bite block. The lip flange is located at the proximal end and has an outwardly projecting surface. The curved main body extends to the distal end. The bite block is disposed between the lip flange and the curved main body. The bite block includes an upper dorsal surface having a first bite portion for maxillary incisor teeth engagement and a lower ventral surface having a second bite portion for mandibular incisor teeth engagement. The bite block includes a mandibular flange projecting downwards from the lower ventral surface located distal to the second bite portion for mandibular incisor teeth engagement and proximal to the first bite portion for maxillary incisor engagement.