Tear-Drop Airway Device With Epiglottis Guard And Tube Clamp

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing airway devices require precise positioning during emergency endotracheal intubation, which can be challenging due to obstacles like vomitus or blood, and lack a secure mechanism to prevent undesirable movement of endotracheal tubes.

Innovation Solution

The development of airway devices with a tear-drop shaped distal end and an epiglottis guard that can be quickly inserted without precise alignment, combined with a tube securing device featuring a clamping mechanism and strap for stabilizing the endotracheal tube.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional endotracheal intubation is performed with visualization requirements, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the procedure time increases and success rate decreases in emergency settings with obstacles like vomitus or blood

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The airway device is divided into distinct functional segments: a distal end portion with tear-drop shape for anatomical alignment, a mid-portion with epiglottis guard for structural guidance, and a proximal end for tube insertion. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, enabling rapid insertion without requiring precise overall positioning while maintaining alignment accuracy where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The airway device is pre-configured with the tear-drop shaped distal end and epiglottis guard before insertion. These features are designed in advance to automatically align with anatomical landmarks (corniculate cartilage and epiglottis) during insertion, eliminating the need for real-time visualization and adjustment. The preliminary configuration ensures that the device self-aligns as it is inserted, reducing procedure time while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If airway devices are designed for quick insertion without precise alignment, then procedure time decreases, but positioning accuracy and anatomical alignment may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion speedVSAvoidanatomical alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The distal end of the airway device features an asymmetric tear-drop shape with a curved surface that is specifically designed to match the asymmetric anatomy of the patient's airway structures. This asymmetric geometry ensures that the device can only be inserted in the correct orientation, automatically aligning with the corniculate cartilage and epiglottis without requiring precise manual positioning. The asymmetric design guides the device into proper alignment as it is inserted, maintaining accuracy while enabling rapid insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The airway device performs self-alignment during insertion through its specially designed geometric features. The tear-drop shaped distal end and epiglottis guard automatically engage with anatomical landmarks (corniculate cartilage and epiglottis) as the device is inserted, causing the device to self-correct its position and align itself with the airway pathway. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for operator manipulation or visualization to achieve proper alignment, enabling both rapid insertion and accurate positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If tube securing mechanisms are added to prevent endotracheal tube movement, then airway stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway stabilityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tube securing device merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the clamping member provides mechanical compression to secure the endotracheal tube, while the strap extends around the patient's head to anchor the clamping member in position. This combined design achieves both tube stabilization and positional security without requiring separate devices or complex assembly, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The strap component of the tube securing device uses a flexible thin film structure that can be easily adjusted and positioned around the patient's head. This flexible design allows for simple adaptation to different patient sizes and anatomies without requiring complex rigid structures or multiple adjustment mechanisms, achieving secure anchoring while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8356597B2Airway devices, tube securing devices, and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2013.01.22 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

Airway devices and tube securing devices are disclosed. Methods of making and using airway devices and tube securing devices are also disclosed.