Tissue Force Sensor for Laryngoscopy Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures, such as direct laryngoscopy, often result in unintended tissue manipulation leading to postoperative complications like pain, numbness, and nerve damage due to unknown and unmeasured mechanical forces applied during the procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of tissue force sensor systems, including laryngeal force sensors, which provide real-time feedback on the forces applied to tissues during medical procedures, using a load cell and data acquisition system to measure and analyze forces, and offer alerts or mechanical limits to prevent excessive force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid laryngoscope is used for direct laryngoscopy, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but significant stress and force are applied to the oral cavity and tissues resulting in postoperative complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates force sensors that provide real-time feedback to the operator about the force being applied to tissues during laryngoscopy. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to adjust their technique to minimize tissue damage while maintaining procedural effectiveness, directly addressing the contradiction between surgical reliability and tissue harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement and analysis of forces before significant tissue damage occurs. By continuously monitoring forces during the procedure, the system can alert the operator to potentially harmful force levels before they cause irreversible damage, allowing for preventive action.
2Reliability
If real-time force monitoring is implemented during medical procedures, then postoperative complications can be reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force monitoring system is segmented into modular components including force sensors, data acquisition systems, and feedback mechanisms that can be integrated into existing medical devices. This modular approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to provide comprehensive force monitoring and improve patient outcomes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These systems reduce postoperative complications by quantifying and mitigating the forces applied during procedures, potentially reducing the need for postoperative narcotics and improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a force measurement device, e.g., a load cell, arranged between the top and bottom housings within the first and second cavities
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides tissue force sensor systems and methods for tissues, e.g., laryngeal tissue. The systems include a top housing including on an upper side an attachment mechanism for connecting the top housing to a medical device, e.g., a laryngoscope, and on a lower side a first cavity for receiving a top portion of a force measurement device such as a load cell; a bottom housing including on a lower side an attachment mechanism for connecting the bottom housing to a handle, holding system, or suspension system for holding or supporting the medical device, and on an upper side a second cavity for receiving a bottom portion of the force measurement device; and an attachment device for connecting the top housing to the bottom housing.