Oxygenating Bite Block with Integrated Guide for Retropharyngeal Oxygenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for oxygenation during endoscopic procedures, such as EGD and TEE, result in increased airway dead space and inefficient oxygen delivery, particularly for sick patients, and often require separate devices for oxygen delivery and bite blocks, which can cause trauma to the retropharyngeal soft tissue.
Innovation Solution
A bite block with an integrated elongated guide and oxygen inflow tube that delivers oxygen directly to the retropharyngeal space, reducing airway dead space and facilitating easier placement of endoscopes, while protecting the retropharyngeal soft tissue from trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a nasal cannula or cut mask is used for oxygenation during endoscopic procedures, then oxygen delivery is provided to the patient, but airway dead space increases and oxygen delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bite block and oxygen delivery system into a single integrated device. The bite block includes an elongated guide that directs an oxygen tube to deliver oxygen directly to the retropharyngeal space, eliminating the need for separate nasal cannula or mask equipment while reducing dead space ventilation and improving oxygen delivery efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If separate oxygen delivery devices and bite blocks are used, then oxygenation and tooth protection functions are provided, but device complexity increases and placement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bite block and oxygen delivery device into one integrated unit. The bite block contains a central passageway for the endoscope and an elongated guide for the oxygen tube, allowing simultaneous tooth protection and oxygen delivery through a single device that is easier to place than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bite block serves multiple functions: it protects the patient's teeth from trauma, provides a passage for the endoscope, guides the oxygen tube to the retropharyngeal space, and prevents the endoscope from contacting the patient's tongue. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate devices.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the endoscope is placed without guidance during difficult procedures, then the procedure can be performed, but trauma to retropharyngeal soft tissue occurs causing sore throat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elongated guide as an intermediary device between the oxygen tube and the retropharyngeal space. This guide protects the retropharyngeal soft tissue from direct contact with the endoscope during placement, preventing trauma and sore throat while still allowing the procedure to be performed.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic bite block comprises a base, an elongated guide, and an oxygen inflow tube. The base includes a body and a central passageway extending through the body. The central passageway is configured to receive an endoscope. The elongated guide includes a longitudinal curvature corresponding in shape to an oral-pharyngeal cavity of a patient. The elongated guide extends from the base and toward a retropharyngeal space of the patient. The elongated guide includes a lateral curvature for guiding the endoscope along the longitudinal curvature of the elongated guide. The oxygen inflow tube is configured to receive oxygen gas from an oxygen source. The oxygen inflow tube extends from the base along the elongated guide such that the oxygen inflow tube is configured to deliver the received oxygen gas to the retropharyngeal space of the patient.