Tracheal Intubation Device with Integrated Oxygen and Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices cannot deliver both oxygen and on-demand suction through an endotracheal tube during intubation, which can be obstructed by airway conditions or fluids, posing a safety risk due to the narrow time window for successful intubation before oxygen desaturation.
Innovation Solution
A tracheal intubation device with an endotracheal tube adaptor, a control unit, and lightweight flexible tubing that allows for the delivery of oxygen and on-demand suction through the endotracheal tube, featuring a self-sealing minimal-leak port and a pressure-release valve to prevent barotrauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxygen flow is delivered through nasal cannula tubing during intubation attempts, then the time to oxygen desaturation is delayed, but the oxygen flow can be blocked by airway conditions or fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The endotracheal tube serves as an intermediary conduit that bypasses the obstructed nasopharynx anatomy. By delivering oxygen through the endotracheal tube rather than through nasal cannula tubing that passes through the nasopharynx, the system avoids the obstruction caused by airway conditions or fluids in the upper airway.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial dimension of oxygen delivery from the upper airway (nasal cannula through nasopharynx) to the lower airway (endotracheal tube below vocal cords). This dimensional shift allows oxygen delivery to occur at a location not affected by nasopharyngeal obstructions.
2Ease of operation
If a suction catheter is introduced into the patient's mouth to clear fluids, then the intubator's view is improved, but the procedure is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the oxygen delivery function and suction function into a single integrated system through the endotracheal tube. The adaptor allows both oxygen flow and suction to be delivered through the same conduit, eliminating the need for separate catheter insertion and reducing procedural steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The endotracheal tube with adaptor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers oxygen flow and provides on-demand suction capability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate nasal cannula and suction catheter, streamlining the intubation procedure.
3Strength
If the endotracheal tube is made rigid by inserting a stylet, then the tube can advance without bending, but the application of oxygen supply tubing is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the rigidity function and oxygen delivery function into separate components: the stylet provides rigidity for tube advancement, while the adaptor (attached distal to the stylet) provides the oxygen delivery interface. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor serves as an intermediary component between the stylet and the oxygen supply system. It allows oxygen tubing to be applied distal to the stylet, effectively mediating between the rigid structure needed for advancement and the flexible connection needed for gas delivery.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bulky tubing and control components are added directly to the patient-exterior-end of the endotracheal tube, then oxygen and suction delivery is enabled, but the visual axis is obscured and manipulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bulky control components and tubing from the patient-exterior-end of the endotracheal tube and relocates them to a remote control unit connected via lightweight flexible tubing. This extraction maintains the necessary oxygen and suction delivery capability while eliminating the interference with visual axis and tube manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control components are relocated from the one-dimensional location at the tube end (interfering with manipulation) to a separate spatial location (remote control unit), connected via flexible tubing. This dimensional redistribution allows complex functionality without compromising ease of operation.
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
Enhances safety and efficiency during intubation by maintaining oxygen flow and clearing obstructions, reducing the risk of oxygen desaturation and airway tissue damage from high pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-release valve to prevent barotrauma
Implementation Method 2
a self-sealing minimal-leak port
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure discloses a tracheal intubation device designed to improve safety during intubation attempts. The device allows for the delivery of medical gas (such as oxygen) flow through the endotracheal tube itself during intubation attempts. This moves the source of apneic oxygen lower in the patient's airway to bypass anatomy that otherwise can obstruct medical gas flow. The device can also switch on-demand to generating suction through the endotracheal tube to clear away fluids that block the intubator's view and that block medical gas flow. There are currently no devices that can deliver both medical gas and on-demand suction using the endotracheal tube as the flow conduit during the process of intubation. The present device accomplishes these tasks while incorporating non-obvious elements to optimize its use and efficacy.