Tracheal Tube Connector Insert for Cannula Stress Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracheal tube designs face challenges in securely attaching cannulas of varying sizes due to compression stresses, which can lead to splitting and reduced manufacturing yield, especially when interfacing with connectors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a connector insert with recessed or notched portions aligned with secondary lumens to reduce stress on the tube wall, combined with a harder material insert for rigidity and secure bonding to prevent rotation and splitting, allowing for a uniform attachment system across different cannula sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a soft plastic or rubber connector is used to provide a seal with the ventilation assembly, then the ease of connection is improved, but the cannula may break or split under compression stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two distinct parts: a soft outer connector body that provides sealing and ease of connection, and a hard inner insert that provides structural support and stress distribution. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector combines two materials with different mechanical properties: a soft compliant material (plastic or rubber) for sealing and a hard rigid material (such as metal or hard plastic) for structural support. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing the soft material to provide ease of connection while the hard material prevents cannula breakage.
2Ease of manufacture
If a compression fit interface is used between the cannula and connector, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the cannula may break or split under stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The stress-bearing function is separated from the sealing function by introducing a hard insert component. The soft connector body maintains the compression fit for ease of assembly, while the hard insert absorbs and distributes the stresses to prevent cannula failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hard insert acts as an intermediary element between the soft connector body and the cannula. It mediates the interaction by providing a rigid interface that distributes compression forces evenly, preventing the soft material from directly transmitting damaging stresses to the cannula.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector structure is made complex to accommodate various cannula sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hard insert is designed as a universal component that can accommodate cannulas of various sizes through standardized dimensions and geometries. This universal design allows the same insert structure to work with different cannula sizes, maintaining adaptability while avoiding the need for multiple specialized connector designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the overall connector structure for different cannula sizes, the design maintains a consistent connector body and only varies the insert parameters (such as inner diameter, length, or wall thickness). This parameter-based adaptation allows versatility while keeping the device complexity low.
Data Source
AI summary
A tracheal tube assembly includes a connector body, a cannula extending from the connector body, and an insert that provides rigidity to the connector body and retains the cannula in the connector body. The cannula has an upper end that fits between conforming tapered sections of the connector body inner surface and the insert. The insert may include features to mitigate stress on and around any secondary lumens in the cannula wall. Because the wall is thinner at the site of a secondary lumen, the connector body insert may include a recess into which the cannula wall may expand. The recess may be aligned with the secondary lumen.