Sequential Stylet for Dynamic Endotracheal Tube Articulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current stylet devices for intubation procedures are limited by their inability to modify shape in real-time, leading to delays and complications during insertion, particularly in emergency situations with varying anatomical conditions, resulting in potential harm and reduced success rates.
Innovation Solution
A stylet device with a rigid yet malleable handle and shaft, equipped with a mechanism allowing for independent manipulation of the tip's geometry through a handle assembly, enabling continuous or intermittent articulation to match the curvature of the endotracheal tube, facilitating easier insertion without removing the device from the subject's passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid stylet is used to maintain tube shape, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to varying anatomical conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet incorporates a shape memory alloy shaft that can dynamically change its shape in response to external stimuli (temperature, electrical current, or mechanical activation). The shaft transitions from a straight configuration during insertion to a curved configuration during positioning, allowing the device to adapt to varying anatomical conditions while maintaining structural integrity throughout the procedure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stylet is removed to reshape the tube, then adaptability is improved, but time consumption and risk of complications worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet's shape memory alloy shaft can be activated remotely through the endotracheal tube using electrical current or temperature change, allowing the operator to reshape the tube tip without removing the device from the patient's airway. This self-service capability eliminates the need for repeated insertion and removal cycles, reducing time consumption and minimizing the risk of tissue damage and oxygen deprivation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple insertion attempts are made, then adaptability is improved, but tissue damage and oxygen deprivation risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic shape-changing capability allows the stylet to be inserted in a straight configuration, then activated to curve and adapt to the specific anatomical pathway during the same continuous insertion attempt. This eliminates the need for multiple attempts, thereby preventing tissue damage from repeated manipulations and avoiding oxygen deprivation risks associated with prolonged procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism for real-time manipulation is added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The shape memory alloy shaft utilizes changes in physical parameters (temperature, electrical current, or mechanical stress) to trigger shape transformation. This approach provides real-time manipulation capability through simple external stimuli rather than complex internal mechanisms, maintaining device simplicity while achieving the desired adaptability and control.
Data Source
AI summary
A Stylet device that allows for the articulation of tubing and provides a method for positioning of the tubing during intubation or other procedures while the tubing is located within a passage-way or lumen of a subject, such as an airway, organs, veins, intestines and the like. Where unique anatomical conditions are present in a subject, rendering standard intubation devices inadequate, the articulation capabilities of the apparatuses of the current invention are of particular use during methods of use and further promote the non-occlusion of the central cavity of the tube.