Shielded Bite Block for Endoscopy Staff Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare staff face risks of droplet and aerosolized transmission of infectious agents like COVID-19 during endoscopy procedures due to unsealed side openings in bite blocks, which can expose them to pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A shielded bite block with a synthetic polymer fiber shield and a bite block mask with an integrated air filter and endoscope passage, designed to reduce exposure risks by providing a sealed environment for the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional bite block with unsealed side openings is used, then the procedure can be performed with simple device structure, but healthcare staff are exposed to droplet and aerosolized transmission of infectious agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bite block with a face mask into a single integrated device. The mask portion covers the patient's nose and mouth while the bite block portion provides the central opening for endoscope passage. This merging creates a sealed environment that prevents droplet and aerosol transmission without requiring multiple separate components, thus reducing exposure risk while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shield element made of synthetic polymer fibers as an intermediary barrier between the patient's respiratory tract and the healthcare staff. This shield material acts as a mediator that blocks droplets and aerosols while allowing the endoscope to pass through the central opening, thereby protecting staff without compromising the procedural function.
2Reliability
If a sealed environment is created to prevent transmission, then protection against infectious agents is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of mask and bite block into one device creates a sealed environment that reliably prevents transmission. The mask portion seals around the patient's face while the bite block portion maintains the central opening, providing continuous protection without requiring multiple separate components that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: the mask portion provides respiratory protection and sealing, the bite block portion provides the central opening for endoscope passage, and the side openings accommodate accessories. This multi-functionality achieves reliable protection without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one component accomplishes what would otherwise require several separate devices.
3Ease of operation
If side openings are left unsealed for accessory passage, then ease of operation is maintained, but transmission risk to staff increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different sealing qualities to different parts of the device. The central opening remains unsealed to allow endoscope passage and maintain ease of operation, while the mask portion provides sealing around the patient's face. The side openings are designed to accommodate accessories while maintaining the overall sealed environment, thus preserving operational ease while preventing transmission through localized quality differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes devices for reducing risks to healthcare staff from infectious agents. For example, this document describes a bite block with a shield element or a mask that can reduce risk of infectious or noxious agents exposure to healthcare staff.