Reversible Airway Device Seamless Ventilation Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airway devices, such as endotracheal tubes and laryngeal masks, require disconnection and reconnection during transitions from supra-glottic to sub-glottic ventilation, risking airway disconnection and requiring skilled medical professionals, which can lead to ventilation disruptions and complications.
Innovation Solution
A reversible airway device integrating a tubular guide, laryngeal mask, and endotracheal tube with longitudinal seams allowing seamless transition between supra-glottic and sub-glottic support without disconnecting from ventilation sources, ensuring continuous airway management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a supra-glottic support device (laryngeal mask) is used for ventilation, then gas mix and exhalant flow is facilitated with minimal interference and pressure drop, but the device must be removed when intubation becomes necessary, risking airway disconnection and requiring skilled medical professionals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a laryngeal mask and endotracheal tube into a single integrated device. The endotracheal tube is positioned within the laryngeal mask assembly, allowing the device to function as a supra-glottic support when the tube is retracted and as an endotracheal intubation device when the tube is advanced through the vocal cords. This merging eliminates the need to remove the device during transitions between ventilation modes, maintaining airway continuity and eliminating the risk of disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The endotracheal tube is designed to be movable relative to the laryngeal mask, allowing dynamic adjustment between two functional positions: retracted for supra-glottic ventilation and advanced for sub-glottic intubation. This dynamic configuration enables seamless transition between ventilation modes without removing the device, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and airway reliability.
2Reliability
If an endotracheal tube with cuff is used to seal against the trachea wall, then positive pressure ventilation can be provided effectively, but the device requires insertion through the vocal cords which demands skilled medical professionals and may disrupt the airway
Solution Approach 1:
The laryngeal mask portion of the integrated device is used to establish preliminary airway access and positioning before the endotracheal tube component is advanced through the vocal cords. The mask provides initial stabilization and guidance, making the subsequent intubation process simpler and less demanding of surgical skill, while still achieving effective tracheal sealing when the tube is properly positioned.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ventilation transitions from supra-glottic to sub-glottic support are performed by removing and replacing devices, then the ventilation mode can be changed, but the patient's airway is temporarily disrupted and the risk of airway loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the laryngeal mask and endotracheal tube into one integrated device, the patent enables flexible transition between supra-glottic and sub-glottic ventilation modes without removing the device from the patient's airway. The tube can be retracted into the mask for supra-glottic ventilation or advanced through the vocal cords for sub-glottic intubation, maintaining continuous airway security while providing ventilation mode flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A reversible airway device can include a tubular guide, a laryngeal mask, and an endotracheal tube. 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 tubular guide can further include a first longitudinal seam. 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 laryngeal mask can further include a second longitudinal seam. The endotracheal tube can be slidably disposed within the first passageway and have a second passageway. The first and second longitudinal seams can be adapted to permit ingress and egress of the tubular guide from the airway without detaching the endotracheal tube from a ventilation source.