Intubating Stylette Pistol Grip Movable Tip Airway Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endotracheal intubation devices are difficult to manipulate with a single hand, especially for individuals with varying levels of medical experience, and can cause tissue damage due to insufficient flexibility and anatomical obstructions, leading to high failure rates and complications.
Innovation Solution
A hand-controlled intubating stylette with a 'pistol-like' handle and movable tip, featuring two finger ports and a flexible connector, allowing for up to 90-degree movement to navigate tortuous airways and facilitate endotracheal tube placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional intubation devices are used, then the procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but the device is difficult to manipulate with a single hand and requires significant operator skill
Solution Approach 1:
The stylette is divided into distinct functional segments: a pistol grip handle for single-hand holding, a separate control member with actuation members for tip control, and a tube member with the movable tip. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stylette incorporates a movable tip that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation in response to actuation member movement. The tip transitions from a fixed position to a movable position, enabling real-time adaptation to anatomical variations during intubation procedures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional rigid intubation devices are used, then structural strength is maintained, but tissue damage occurs due to insufficient flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The stylette incorporates a flexible tip section that can bend and conform to the patient's airway anatomy. This flexible portion reduces the risk of tissue damage by adapting to tortuous pathways while the overall device maintains sufficient structural strength through its segmented construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows changes in the tip's positional parameters in response to actuation, enabling the tip to navigate complex airway geometries. The movable tip can adjust its orientation and position to follow the natural curvature of the trachea, reducing mechanical stress on tissues.
3Reliability
If conventional intubation devices are used, then standard procedures can be followed, but failure rate increases in anatomically challenging conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The movable tip dynamically responds to actuation member movement, allowing the operator to navigate the stylette through difficult airway anatomy in real-time. This dynamic capability significantly improves success rates in patients with tortuous airways or anatomical obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control member acts as an intermediary between the operator's hand and the movable tip, translating finger movements into precise tip positioning. This intermediary mechanism provides fine control over the tip's position, enhancing the operator's ability to navigate complex anatomical pathways.
4Ease of operation
If multi-component control systems are added to improve maneuverability, then single-hand operation becomes possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into simple, discrete actuation members on the pistol grip handle that directly control the tip movement. Each actuation member corresponds to a specific movement direction, creating an intuitive control scheme that is easy to learn and operate with one hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The pistol grip handle design allows the operator's natural hand positioning to serve the control function. The actuation members are positioned to be naturally accessible to the operator's fingers, reducing the cognitive and physical burden of operation while maintaining straightforward control.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the invention include an intubating stylette device and related methods of using such a device. In some cases, the stylette includes: a handle member having a base and a tip extending from the base, the handle for engaging a hand of an operator; a control member coupled to the tip of the handle member, the control member including at least one actuation member sized to engage with a finger from the hand of the operator; and a tube member coupled to the control member, the tube member including a tip that is movable between at least two positions when the at least one actuation member is moved from a first position to a second position.