Internal Nasal Splint With Integrated Medication Delivery Lumen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal nasal splints hinder the intranasal administration of medications post-surgically, as they require removal and replacement to deliver topical or inhalation treatments, disrupting airway patency during septum healing.
Innovation Solution
The internal nasal splint design includes a symmetrical pair with an arcuate septal support portion and a lateral flared airway passage, featuring a delivery lumen with medially spaced ports, allowing for medication delivery without interfering with airway patency, and is custom-fitted with a suture access pad for secure placement and a kit including a syringe and catheter for post-surgical medication delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional internal nasal splints are used, then airway patency is maintained during septum healing, but intranasal medication delivery is hindered requiring removal and replacement of the splint
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal splint is divided into functionally distinct segments: an airway maintenance portion and a medication delivery portion with separate lumen. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently—the airway portion remains intact to maintain patency while the delivery lumen enables medication administration without requiring splint removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The nasal splint is designed with multi-functionality by integrating both airway maintenance and medication delivery capabilities into a single device. The dual-lumen structure allows the splint to simultaneously maintain airway patency through one lumen while enabling medication delivery through the other lumen, eliminating the need for separate devices or splint replacement.
2Ease of operation
If conventional internal nasal splints are removed for medication delivery, then medication can be administered, but airway patency is disrupted during the healing period
Solution Approach 1:
The splint design enables continuous useful action by allowing medication delivery through the integrated lumen without requiring removal of the splint. The medication can be administered through the delivery lumen while the splint remains in place, maintaining continuous airway support throughout the healing period without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The splint is pre-configured with an integrated medication delivery lumen during manufacturing, eliminating the need for subsequent modifications or removals. The delivery system is prepared in advance within the splint structure, allowing immediate and continuous medication administration without disrupting the splint's airway maintenance function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single-lumen splint is used, then the structure is simple, but both airway maintenance and medication delivery cannot be performed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The splint structure is segmented into two separate lumens within a single body: one lumen dedicated to airway maintenance and another lumen dedicated to medication delivery. This segmentation allows dual functionality while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as each lumen performs a specific function without requiring complex external components.
Solution Approach 2:
Two distinct functions (airway maintenance and medication delivery) are merged into a single splint device through the integration of dual lumens. The combining of these functions within one structure provides versatility without significantly increasing complexity, as the dual-lumen design shares common structural elements and materials.
Data Source
AI summary
The internal nasal splint is used in pairs, one on each side of the septum, to support the septum, maintain patent airways on each side of the septum, and reduce or mitigate the incidence of hematomas and post-surgical adhesions following such nasal surgeries as septoplasty, removal of nasal polyps, correction of nasal fractures, etc. The two splints are symmetrical, and each includes an arcuate septal support splint portion defining a delivery lumen or tube having a plurality of medially spaced delivery ports or orifices, and a lateral flared splint portion defining an airway passage extending between the opening of the nostril and the internal nasal valve, the two splint portions being joined by an isthmus or bridge. A suture access pad is provided on each internal nasal splint to facilitate suturing the splints to the septum when placing the splints in the corresponding naris or nostril during the surgery.