Reversible Airway Device for Seamless Ventilation Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airway devices, such as endotracheal tubes and laryngeal mask airways, require temporary disruption of ventilation and risk airway disconnection during transitions between supra-glottic and endotracheal intubation, necessitating skilled medical professionals and multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

A reversible airway device integrating a tubular guide, laryngeal mask, endotracheal tube, and sealing mechanism, allowing for seamless transition between supra-glottic and endotracheal support without disrupting ventilation, using a laryngeal mask with an inflatable cuff and a sliding endotracheal tube within the tubular guide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a supra-glottic support device (LMA) is used for ventilation, then ease of operation is improved, but airway security deteriorates during transitions to endotracheal intubation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidairway security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a LMA and endotracheal tube into a single integrated device, allowing the user to benefit from the ease of LMA insertion while maintaining the security of endotracheal intubation capability within the same device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The endotracheal tube is nested within the LMA structure, with the ETT passing through the LMA body. This nesting allows the ETT to be deployed through the already-positioned LMA without requiring removal of the LMA, maintaining airway security while preserving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If transition from LMA to endotracheal tube is performed using conventional methods, then adaptability is improved, but ventilation continuity deteriorates due to temporary disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidventilation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design allows ventilation to continue uninterrupted during the transition from LMA to endotracheal tube mode, as the ETT can be deployed through the already-ventilating LMA structure without removing the airway device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The LMA is inserted and positioned first to establish ventilation, then the endotracheal tube is deployed through the pre-positioned LMA structure, allowing seamless transition without disrupting the already-established airway

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If conventional separate devices are used for LMA and endotracheal tube, then device complexity is reduced, but airway loss risk increases during transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidairway loss risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the LMA and endotracheal tube into one integrated device, the patent eliminates the risk of airway loss during transitions that occurs when using separate devices, as the ETT is already guided through the LMA structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If endotracheal intubation is performed after LMA placement, then adaptability is improved, but time consumption increases due to removal and re-insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The LMA is inserted first to establish the airway pathway, then the endotracheal tube is deployed through the pre-established LMA structure, eliminating the time-consuming removal and re-insertion process required when using separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables continuous, uninterrupted ventilation and easy conversion between airway support methods, reducing the need for skilled professionals and minimizing airway disruption, suitable for emergency situations.

Implementation Method 1

The laryngeal mask has an inflatable cuff or rim area. Once the laryngeal mask is placed into the subject's mouth, the cuff can be inflated to seal against the walls of the inside of the mouth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation:

Implementation Method 2

The sealing mechanism can be disposed within the first passageway and be configured to occlude the flow of a gas through the first passageway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOcclusion:

Data Source

PatentUS10556077B2Reversible airway device and related method for ventilating a subject

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUND

AI summary

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a reversible airway device that includes a tubular guide, a laryngeal mask, an endotracheal tube, and a sealing mechanism. The tubular guide can have a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a first passageway extending between the distal and proximal end portions. The laryngeal mask can be attached to the distal end portion of the tubular guide. The laryngeal mask can include an opening in fluid communication with the first passageway. The endotracheal tube can be slidably disposed within the first passageway and have a second passageway that is concentric with the first passageway. The sealing mechanism can be disposed within the first passageway and be configured to occlude the flow of a gas through the first passageway.