Rigid Endotracheal Stylet with Angled Flexible Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endotracheal intubation stylets are ineffective in navigating the endotracheal tube through the airway due to their lack of protrusion and rigidity, leading to difficulties in reaching the vocal cords and establishing a definitive airway, especially during video laryngoscopy when the airway is obscured.
Innovation Solution
A rigid endotracheal intubation stylet with an elongated body and a flexible, tapered tip that extends beyond the endotracheal tube, providing structural support and enabling the use of a laryngoscope, where the tip is angled to facilitate easier alignment with the trachea, allowing for successful intubation without damaging the trachea.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the stylet is made rigid to provide structural support, then the stylet can maintain its shape and provide support to the endotracheal tube, but the stylet cannot elastically deform to safely contact and dilate the vocal cords
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet is divided into three distinct sections with different properties: a rigid proximal section for structural support, a curved intermediate section for maneuverability, and a pliable distal section for safe contact with vocal cords. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the stylet have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The proximal section is rigid (higher Young's Modulus) for support, while the distal section is more compliant (lower Young's Modulus) for safe interaction with tissue, creating local quality variations throughout the device.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the stylet does not protrude from the endotracheal tube to avoid tracheal damage, then patient safety is maintained, but the stylet cannot reach obscured or mispositioned vocal cords
Solution Approach 1:
The distal section of the stylet is designed as a flexible, pliable tip that can extend beyond the endotracheal tube. This flexible tip can safely contact and dilate the vocal cords without causing damage, as it can elastically deform to accommodate tissue interaction while providing the necessary reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The stylet transitions from a static, fully rigid structure to a dynamic structure where the distal section can flex and deform elastically. This dynamic property allows the tip to adapt to the anatomical structures it encounters, extending when needed to reach obscured vocal cords and flexing to safely interact with tissue.
3Ease of operation
If the stylet tip is angled to facilitate alignment with the trachea, then the angle of entry is easier to reach, but the stylet geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate section of the stylet features a predetermined curve that facilitates navigation through the anatomical pathway to the vocal cords. This curvature is integrated into the stylet's geometry to provide the necessary angulation for proper alignment with the trachea while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 stylet enhances the first-pass success rate of endotracheal intubation by providing the necessary rigidity and flexibility to guide the endotracheal tube through the airway, reducing manipulation required and minimizing the risk of tracheal injury, while allowing for effective dilation of the vocal cords.
Implementation Method 1
a tip fixedly coupled to the second end of the body and configured to elastically deform
Data Source
AI summary
A stylet with a body, a handle, and a tip. The stylet is configured to be inserted into an endotracheal tube. The body is formed of a rigid material and may have a straight section and a curved section. The handle is fixedly coupled to the body and facilitates removal of the stylet from the endotracheal tube. The tip is fixedly coupled to the body and is configured to elastically deform. The tip may have a truncated cone shape. The tip may be angled with respect to the body. When the stylet is fully inserted into the endotracheal tube, the tip of the stylet may extend beyond the end of the endotracheal tube. The stylet may be configured to provide structure to the endotracheal tube and enable use of a laryngoscope during the endotracheal intubation procedure.