Tracheal Suction Device with Moveable Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral and tracheal suctioning methods often cause nasal trauma, gag reflex triggers, and the spread of bacteria, leading to increased risks of nosocomial pneumonias in patients who cannot perform oral care, due to the limitations of existing suction catheters and methods.
Innovation Solution
A tracheal and pharyngeal suction device with a handle and moveable connector system, allowing for adjustable extension of the suction catheter within the throat, coupled with a duct for controlled suction application, and an oral suction tube with a guard to prevent over-insertion and bacterial spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tracheal suction catheter is inserted into the naris and continued down the trachea for nasotracheal suctioning, then secretions can be suctioned out, but nasal trauma, pain, and bleeding occur
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is divided into separate functional components: an oral suction tube for initial cleaning, a connector, and a tracheal suction catheter. This segmentation allows the oral tube to be used first to clear the oral cavity, preventing bacteria from being pushed into the lungs during subsequent tracheal suctioning, while the separate tracheal catheter can be properly positioned without nasal trauma
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inserting the suction catheter through the nose (nasotracheal approach) or directly into the throat (oropharyngeal approach), the invention introduces an oral suction tube that connects to the tracheal catheter system. This inverted approach allows oral cleaning to occur first, creating a cleaner pathway before tracheal suctioning begins
2Reliability
If a tracheal suction catheter is inserted into the mouth and continued down the trachea for orotracheal suctioning, then secretions can be suctioned out, but the catheter coils in the back of the throat and triggers the patient's gag reflex
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates oral suctioning and tracheal suctioning into distinct components. The oral suction tube handles oral cavity suctioning, while the tracheal suction catheter handles deep tracheal suctioning. This prevents the single catheter from coiling in the back of the throat and triggering the gag reflex, as each component is optimized for its specific function
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary between the oral suction tube and the tracheal suction catheter. It allows the two components to work together as a unified system while maintaining functional separation, enabling smooth transition from oral to tracheal suctioning without catheter coiling or gag reflex activation
3Ease of operation
If conventional suctioning methods are used on patients who cannot perform oral care, then oral cleaning and suctioning can be performed, but bacteria spread from the mouth to the lungs during tracheal suctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is segmented into an oral suction tube for oral cavity cleaning and a tracheal suction catheter for deep tracheal suctioning. The oral suction tube is used first to clear bacteria-laden secretions from the mouth, preventing these bacteria from being pushed into the lungs during subsequent tracheal suctioning through the connected system
Solution Approach 2:
The oral suction tube performs preliminary cleaning of the oral cavity before tracheal suctioning begins. This preliminary action removes bacteria and secretions from the mouth, creating a cleaner environment that prevents bacterial contamination during the subsequent tracheal suctioning procedure
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
The device effectively reduces trauma and gag reflex triggers while minimizing bacterial spread, enhancing the safety and efficiency of oral and tracheal suctioning by allowing precise control over catheter extension and suction application.
Implementation Method 1
a tracheal suction catheter is used, which typically is a soft, pliable plastic or rubber tube
Data Source
AI summary
A tracheal and pharyngeal suction device includes a handle including an interior cavity within the handle body, a connector positioned within the interior cavity and moveable along at least a portion of a length of the interior cavity, a proximal suction catheter having a coupling portion and a treatment portion, wherein the coupling portion is coupled to a proximal side of the connector; and a distal suction catheter coupled to a distal side of the connector.