Flexible Pharynx Protector with Rigid Head for Safe Puncture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pharynx protectors for secondary puncture in laryngectomized patients are complex, costly to manufacture, and pose risks of injuring the oesophagus during penetration, with unguided positioning of cutting devices and discomfort to patients.

Innovation Solution

A pharynx protector with a flexible tubular part and a distally located receiving portion, featuring a rigid inner wall and snap-fitting design to secure a puncture needle, ensuring safe penetration and ease of use, while allowing guide wire insertion and facilitating voice prosthesis placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid esophagoscope is inserted into the esophagus for secondary puncture, then the puncture site can be protected, but patient discomfort increases and the device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of puncture siteVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by using a flexible tube instead of a rigid esophagoscope. The flexible tube can be comfortably inserted into the esophagus through the patient's mouth and positioned at the puncture site, providing protection while accommodating the esophagus's natural curvature and reducing patient discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into distinct functional parts: a flexible tube for insertion, a rigid head portion for protection, and a receiving portion for the puncture needle. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall device flexibility and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a balloon expansion element is used in the pharynx protector, then the device can be introduced via the mouth, but the configuration becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintroduction via mouthVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex balloon expansion mechanism from the design and replaces it with a simpler flexible tube that naturally conforms to the esophagus. The flexible tube achieves the same goal of oral introduction and positioning without requiring complex expansion mechanisms, pressure applying devices, or multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible tube design suggests a disposable approach, where a simple, inexpensive tube is used for the procedure and then discarded, eliminating the need for complex, expensive, reusable devices with multiple moving parts and expansion mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If a cutting device is used for puncture, then the voice prosthesis can be implanted, but the positioning is unguided and risks penetrating the back wall of the esophagus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoice prosthesis implantationVSAvoidsafety of puncture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rigid head portion at the distal end of the flexible tube as an intermediary structure. This head portion serves as a safe barrier that prevents the puncture needle from penetrating too deeply and damaging the back wall of the esophagus, while still allowing the cutting device to function effectively for voice prosthesis implantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid head portion is positioned in advance at the puncture site before the puncture needle is introduced. This preliminary positioning establishes a safe boundary and guide for the subsequent puncture action, ensuring that the needle cannot penetrate beyond the intended depth and compromising esophageal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a hollow rigid cylindrical device with handle is used as pharynx protector, then the posterior wall can be protected during puncture, but the device is uncomfortable for patients and costly to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of posterior wallVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hollow rigid cylindrical device with a flexible tube that has a rigid head portion. This design maintains the protective function for the posterior wall during puncture while using simpler, less expensive materials and manufacturing processes. The flexible tube can be produced more economically than complex rigid devices with handles and multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2477562B1Pharynx protector

Publication Date: 2014.12.31 ATOS MEDICAL

Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~2a
Figure 2b~3a

AI summary

A pharynx protector (100, 200, 300) for protecting the oesophagus and/or pharynx during performance of a laryngectomy is provided. The pharynx protector has a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being adapted to be inserted into the oesophagus of a patient. The pharynx protector comprises an elongated tubular part (101, 201, 301) and a distally located receiving portion (102, 202, 302), for receiving a puncture needle during laryngectomy. The tubular part is flexible, and the receiving portion comprises an opening, communicating with the lumen of the tubular part, such that a guide wire may be inserted through the opening and further passed proximally out of the pharynx protector. The surface of the inner wall of the receiving portion, having a normal passing through said opening, is of a rigid material.