Shielded Intubation Guide for Emissions Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endotracheal intubation is a high-risk procedure that requires considerable skill and often results in difficulty and unsuccessful attempts, even for highly trained professionals. The procedure is challenging due to the curved and narrow oropharyngeal passage, varying anatomy, and the need for direct visualization of the larynx. Additionally, existing intubation devices do not effectively reduce emissions from the mouth during the procedure, posing a risk of infectious disease transmission.
Innovation Solution
A shielded intubation guide is introduced, featuring an elongate body with a passageway for receiving a blade portion of an intubation device and a shield around the proximal opening to reduce emissions. The shielded intubation guide is designed to be inserted into the mouth, with the shield covering the mouth to prevent emissions of fluids, droplets, aerosols, and light during light-guided intubation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional laryngoscope is used for endotracheal intubation, then the procedure can be performed with direct visualization of the larynx, but emissions of fluids, droplets, and aerosols from the patient's mouth cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The intubation guide is nested within the laryngoscope blade, with the guide forming an integral part of the blade structure. The guide extends along the blade and has an opening that aligns with the blade opening, creating a nested configuration that reduces emissions while maintaining the laryngoscope's visualizing and manipulating functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The intubation guide acts as an intermediary structure between the laryngoscope blade and the external environment. It provides a shielded pathway that directs emissions away from the operator while still allowing the blade to perform its intubation function, thus mediating between the need for direct visualization and emissions reduction.
2Reliability
If the operator uses both hands to manipulate anatomical structures and introduce the endotracheal tube, then the procedure can be performed with adequate technique, but the operator cannot simultaneously manipulate anatomical structures to facilitate the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The intubation guide merges the functions of emissions reduction and intubation facilitation into a single integrated structure. The guide is formed as one piece with the laryngoscope blade, combining the shielding function with the anatomical manipulation function, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a video laryngoscope is used to remove the need for direct view, then a second operator can have visual access to help manipulate structures, but the device is bulkier and still occupies both hands of the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The intubation guide extracts the emissions reduction function from the overall laryngoscope system and integrates it into the blade structure. This extraction allows the device to maintain a compact form factor while providing the versatility of emissions protection and improved operator flexibility without the bulk of a video laryngoscope system.
Data Source
AI summary
A shielded intubation guide for use in an endotracheal intubation procedure, the shielded intubation guide including: an elongate body defining a passageway extending between a proximal opening and a distal opening for receiving a blade portion of an intubation device, the shielded intubation guide being configured for insertion into a mouth of the subject so that the proximal opening is positioned proximate to the mouth and the distal opening is positioned in an airway of the subject; and a shield around the proximal opening for substantially reducing emissions from the mouth, the shielded intubation guide allowing endotracheal intubation to be performed by: inserting the blade portion of the intubation device into the passageway; positioning a distal end of the blade portion proximate to the larynx of the subject; and advancing an endotracheal tube along the blade portion through the passageway into a trachea of the subject.