Pyramidal Intubation Shield Venting and Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intubation shields are heavy, cumbersome, and lack efficient ventilation and access port designs, posing risks to healthcare providers during procedures and complicating storage and deployment.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, pyramidal intubation shield with improved access ports and venting, made from antimicrobial treated plastic, featuring a top cap with a filter and secure locking mechanism, allowing for safe expulsion of aerosolized contaminants and convenient storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavy materials such as plexiglass, other heavy plastic materials, or glass are used to ensure transparency and protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but weight increases making the device cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from heavy materials (plexiglass, glass) to lightweight materials (fabric, foam core) while maintaining protective functionality through alternative mechanisms such as filtration and structural design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The shield uses composite construction with fabric outer layers and foam core, combining materials with different properties to achieve both lightweight characteristics and protective functionality against aerosols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If box-shaped designs are used to provide comprehensive protection, then protection coverage is improved, but storage and shipping efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidstorage and shipping efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pyramidal shield design allows units to be nested or stacked efficiently, with the tapered shape enabling compact arrangement in storage and shipping configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a conventional box-shaped (3D rectangular) design to a pyramidal shape, optimizing space utilization in vertical stacking and horizontal arrangement for improved storage and shipping efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of substance

If reusable materials are used to reduce waste, then environmental impact is improved, but cleaning and storage complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste reductionVSAvoidcleaning and storage complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield is designed as a modular assembly of separate components (fabric layers, foam core, filtration elements) that can be easily separated for cleaning, inspection, and replacement, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent presents an alternative disposable version using inexpensive, biodegradable materials that eliminate cleaning and sterilization requirements, reducing operational complexity for single-use applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If access ports are added to allow clinician hand insertion, then operational convenience is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational convenienceVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (gloves, barriers, or sealed interfaces) at the access ports that allows clinician hand insertion while maintaining the protective barrier, enabling operation without direct contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fabric construction allows for flexible access ports with sealed edges or integrated glove interfaces that maintain the protective barrier while enabling hand insertion for operational convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The shield provides effective protection against aerosolized bacteria and viruses, is easily deployable and reusable, and facilitates efficient airflow and storage due to its design, reducing the risk of exposure for healthcare providers.

Implementation Method 1

It has a vent, generally on top to facilitate air flow, for removal of aerosolized contaminants such as bacteria and viruses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

A lightweight, pyramidal intubation shield with improved access ports and venting, made from antimicrobial treated plastic, featuring a top cap with a filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

made from antimicrobial treated plastic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial treatment: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11337876B2Hospital bed shield

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 BRYANT V TYRONNE

AI summary

A transparent article of manufacture with improved and convenient access ports, light weight, venting, and ready for quick deployment. It may be single-use or reusable (upon proper sanitation). It has a vent for removal of aerosolized bacterial and viruses, and ports for clinicians to insert their hands. The general pyramidal shape promotes air flow to the vent, where aerosolized bacteria and viruses may be safely expelled, and allows for stacking.