Tracheostomy Cannula Shield Eyelet Layout to Prevent Skin Irritation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracheostomy cannula straps cause skin irritation and undesirable leverage/tilting effects due to their positioning, particularly in obese and slim patients, leading to discomfort and potential shield tilting.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates bridge-like fastening elements on the shield's proximal surface, positioned away from the end of the side parts, forming an eyelet that prevents the strap from rubbing against the skin and reduces tilting, with optional recesses and lifting elements for easy strap handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the eyelet is positioned at the end of the side parts of the shield, then the retaining strap can be easily threaded through, but the strap runs between the shield and the patient's neck causing skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect (skin irritation) is eliminated by extracting the strap path from the problematic area between the shield and patient's neck. The eyelet is repositioned and designed with a bridge element that redirects the strap to run above the shield, completely removing the source of skin friction and irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap path is moved from a two-dimensional plane (between shield and neck) to a three-dimensional path (above the shield). By positioning the eyelet with bridge elements that extend radially outward and upward, the strap is guided into a new spatial dimension that eliminates contact with the irritated skin area.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the eyelet is positioned above skin level to prevent skin irritation, then the strap does not contact the skin, but the shield tilts under unilateral stress causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting effect caused by unilateral strap stress is counterbalanced by the strategically positioned bridge elements. These elements create a counter-moment that offsets the tilting force, maintaining shield stability. The bridge structure acts as a lever arm that balances the forces applied to the eyelet.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge elements are designed with specific geometry and positioning that allow them to dynamically respond to unilateral stresses. When force is applied to one side, the bridge structure flexes and redistributes the load to maintain equilibrium, preventing shield tilting while keeping the strap clear of the skin.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the eyelet is designed with bridge-like fastening elements away from the end, then the strap is prevented from pinching skin, but the eyelet requires more space and may affect shield compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The eyelet is segmented into distinct components: the bridge elements (first and second) that extend radially outward, and the connection points to the shield body. This segmentation allows the strap path to be separated from the shield surface, preventing skin pinching while maintaining a compact overall structure. Each segment serves a specific function in guiding the strap away from the skin.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to provide a shield for attaching to a cannula tube of a tracheostomy cannula in which the cannula strap does not contact the skin at the location where the cannula strap is threaded into the eyelet without leading to undesired lever or tilting effects upon positioning and securing the shield. According to the invention, this aim is achieved in that the shield has a central region and two lateral parts which extend from the central region in the radial direction, wherein the shield has a proximal surface which faces away from the neck of the patient, and a distal surface which faces the neck of the patient, and each of the two lateral parts has an eyelet for securing a holding strap. Each eyelet is formed by a bridge-type securing element which has two pillar sections arranged on the proximal surface of the shield and a bridge section that extends between the two pillar sections, and the two pillar sections are arranged at a distance to the end of each lateral part.