Steerable Endotracheal Intubation Device with Dynamic Stylet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endotracheal intubation devices require multiple attempts and significant practitioner effort due to the inability to adjust the shape of the stylet within the patient's oral cavity, leading to increased time and risk of complications such as hypoxia, airway obstruction, and anatomical injuries.
Innovation Solution
A steerable endotracheal intubation device with a bendable shaft and integrated steering control mechanism allows for manual manipulation of the distal end to various angular positions, enabling easier alignment and placement of the endotracheal tube into the trachea, reducing the need for separate laryngoscope and stylet manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional stylet is pre-shaped outside the patient's oral cavity, then the stylet can be inserted into the endotracheal tube, but the stylet cannot be adjusted or re-shaped once inside the patient's anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet is designed with a flexible, dynamic shaft that can be bent and shaped in real-time during the intubation procedure. The shaft includes a distal portion that is more flexible than the proximal portion, allowing the operator to adjust the curvature and angular position of the distal end while it is inside the patient's oral cavity and pharynx, adapting to anatomical variations without removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The stylet shaft is segmented into regions of different flexibility: a proximal portion that is stiffer for structural support and a distal portion that is more flexible for steering and positioning. This segmentation allows the operator to manipulate the distal end independently to achieve the desired angular position while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Reliability
If multiple separate devices (laryngoscope and stylet) are used for intubation, then visualization and tube placement can be performed, but the procedure requires significant practitioner effort and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The laryngoscope and stylet are merged into a single integrated device where the stylet shaft forms the structural core of the laryngoscope blade. The endotracheal tube is mounted over this integrated shaft, allowing simultaneous visualization, tongue control, and tube steering through a single unified structure that reduces coordination complexity and practitioner effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated shaft serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural framework for the laryngoscope blade, acts as the steering mechanism for the endotracheal tube, and enables tongue control through its positioning in the oropharynx. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate manipulation of multiple devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stylet shaft is made flexible to allow bending, then the distal end can be steered to various angular positions, but the shaft may lack sufficient structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft exhibits local quality variations in flexibility: the proximal portion is stiffer to provide structural support and maintain the overall shape during insertion, while the distal portion is more flexible to allow steering and angular positioning. This gradient in flexibility ensures both structural integrity and maneuverability are achieved in appropriate regions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The endoscope herein described has a unique steering capability allowing the highly flexible distal end of the shaft of the device to be moved to a full range angular positions without rotating the device on its long axis, thus enabling the device to be steered within the cavity of interest. The relative lengths of the control cables used to move the distal end of the bendable shaft can be changed whenever the flexible or malleable shaft is to be re-shaped to a new configuration thus preventing the distal end or the steering mechanism from assuming an undesired angular position. When used as an endotracheal device, a novel tongue retractor is described which forms an internal conduit, allowing passage of the bendable shaft of the endotracheal intubation device and an endotracheal tube therethrough. Methods for performing a tracheal intubation and changing the relative lengths of the cables are disclosed.