RFID Tube Interface Guard for Endotracheal Tube Migration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unplanned extubation or tube migration during mechanical ventilation poses a significant safety threat to ventilated patients, leading to complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and preventable deaths, with a high incidence rate and substantial healthcare costs.
Innovation Solution
The Tube Interface Guard (TIGER) employs RFID technology to monitor the position of endotracheal tubes by using RFID tags and probes attached to the patient's skin and tube, triggering an alarm if the probes detect a change in proximity beyond a predefined threshold, ensuring real-time detection and prevention of tube displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tube securing methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of preventing unplanned extubation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical tube securing methods with an RFID-based electromagnetic monitoring system. RFID probes detect the position of RFID tags attached to the tube, using electromagnetic fields instead of mechanical constraints to monitor tube placement and prevent unplanned extubation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediary elements attached to the endotracheal tube and RFID probes as intermediary sensing devices. These intermediaries enable non-contact detection of tube position and migration, bridging the gap between the tube and the monitoring system without direct mechanical connection.
2Measurement precision
If multiple RFID probes are used to monitor tube position, then the measurement precision of tube location is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function into multiple segments by placing several RFID probes at different positions around the tube. Each probe independently detects tube position from its location, and the combined data provides comprehensive three-dimensional position information, improving measurement precision through spatial distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID probes serve multiple functions: they detect tube position, monitor tube migration, and trigger alarms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices for each monitoring task, offsetting the complexity increase from using multiple probes with versatile capabilities.
3Loss of time
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then the response time to tube migration is reduced, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring where RFID probes continuously or at regular intervals check the position of RFID tags. This periodic action enables real-time detection of tube migration while allowing the system to enter low-power states between measurements, reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-power monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tags are passive elements that do not require power sources, generating identification signals in response to electromagnetic fields from the probes. This self-service characteristic eliminates the need for powered tags, significantly reducing the energy consumption of the monitoring system while maintaining real-time detection capability.
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
TIGER provides proactive monitoring with real-time alerts, maintaining airflow integrity, and enhancing patient safety by preventing respiratory complications through timely intervention, while being cost-effective and user-friendly for integration into existing medical equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two RFID probes emit a radio frequency signal into an environment of the respective RFID tag
Implementation Method 2
the respective RFID tag's antenna captures this electromagnetic energy, which is used to power up a microchip inside the tag
Implementation Method 3
the RFID probes configured to communicate an occurrent of an event when one of the at least two RFID probes detects a received signal strength of a respective RFID tag below a threshold value
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprising an arcuate face bar, wherein the arcuate face bar is configured for attachment to an endotracheal tube deployed upon a patient, at least two radio frequency identification (RFID) probes secured to opposing terminal ends of the arcuate face bar, wherein the attachment of the arcuate face bar to the endotracheal tube positions the at least two RFID probes at locations in proximity to respective first and second RFID tags affixed to skin of the patient, the RFID probes configured to communicate an occurrent of an event when one of the at least two RFID probes detects a received signal strength of a respective RFID tag below a threshold value.