Oral Airway Device Tongue Depressor and Bite Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
During medical procedures, patients' tongues often obstruct airways, complicating tool insertion and posing risks, especially for those on anticoagulants, as existing methods like jaw lifting or nasal bypass can cause bleeding or be ineffective.
Innovation Solution
An airway device featuring a bite block with a retention structure and a depressor section that extends to contact the tongue, keeping it away from the airway and protecting inserted tools from teeth damage, while maintaining airway openness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the patient's jaw is lifted to keep the airway open, then the airway remains clear, but the method is not always effective and may cause bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a bite block portion positioned between the teeth, a connecting portion linking the bite block to the depressor, and a depressor portion that actively pushes the tongue forward. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, providing reliable airway maintenance without the harmful effects of jaw lifting
Solution Approach 2:
The oral airway device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the teeth and the tongue, using the bite block to anchor the device and the depressor to push the tongue forward. This intermediary approach avoids direct manipulation of the jaw while still achieving airway patency, thereby preventing bleeding complications
2Reliability
If nasal bypass is created to maintain airway, then airway obstruction is relieved, but bleeding occurs particularly in patients on anti-coagulants
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of routing the airway through the nasal passages (anterior to posterior approach), the device inverts the approach by using an oral route with the bite block anchored between the teeth and the depressor pushing the tongue forward from behind. This inverted approach achieves the same airway patency goal while avoiding the bleeding risks associated with nasal manipulation in anticoagulated patients
3Productivity
If medical tools are inserted into the patient's oral cavity, then the procedure can be performed, but the tools may be damaged by the patient's teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The bite block serves as an intermediary protective structure between the patient's teeth and the medical tools. Medical tools can be passed through or alongside the bite block, which absorbs or redirects contact forces, preventing direct tooth-tool contact and protecting expensive medical equipment from damage while allowing the procedure to proceed
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the present disclosure, an airway device is disclosed that includes a bite block and a depressor section. The bite block has proximal and distal ends and is configured and dimensioned for positioning between a patient's upper and lower teeth. The depressor section also has proximal and distal ends and extends distally from the bite block. The depressor section includes upper and lower members that are separated by a web as well as a stop. The lower member includes a first portion having a generally linear configuration and a second portion having an arcuate configuration, and the stop depends transversely from the first portion of the lower member.