Tracheostomy Tube Rotatable Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracheostomy tube assemblies face issues with the removal and insertion of inner cannulas, which require significant force and can lead to leakage when the connector unscrews inadvertently, compromising effective ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A tracheostomy tube assembly with a rotatable male connector that locks the inner cannula in place using surface formations on both the connector and the cannula, allowing for easy insertion and removal without the need for excessive force and minimizing the risk of leakage by maintaining a secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner cannula is made thin-walled and close-fitting to provide a large bore, then gas flow resistance is reduced, but the cannula becomes more prone to buckling and kinking during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The inner cannula is constructed from a composite material that combines a flexible outer layer with an internal reinforcement structure. This composite construction allows the cannula to maintain sufficient stiffness to prevent buckling during insertion while preserving the thin-walled design needed for low gas flow resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula incorporates localized reinforcement features such as helical filaments or corrugated patterns at specific positions along its length. These local structural modifications provide targeted stiffness where needed during insertion without compromising the overall thin-walled design and gas flow characteristics.
2Reliability
If the inner cannula is retained with a rotatable spring fitting or rotatable ring, then the cannula is held securely in place, but the connector becomes complex and may become unscrewed inadvertently during use
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: a threaded connector portion for securing the cannula to the tube, and a rotatable locking member that engages with the cannula. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing the risk of inadvertent disconnection while maintaining secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism incorporates a rotatable member that can transition between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic element allows the system to provide secure retention when needed while enabling easy removal when required, without the complexity of multi-component connectors that may inadvertently unscrew during use.
3Reliability
If the inner cannula is inserted and removed frequently to prevent secretion blocking, then ventilation effectiveness is maintained, but the risk of leakage and connection failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-assembled with the outer tube before the inner cannula is inserted. This preliminary assembly ensures that the connector remains securely attached to the tube during cannula removal and replacement operations, eliminating the risk of leakage that would occur if the connector were attached after cannula removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable locking member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the inner cannula and the outer tube assembly. It provides a secure retention interface that maintains connection integrity during cannula exchanges, preventing the harmful effect of leakage while allowing the necessary removal and insertion of the cannula for ventilation maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tube (1) and an inner cannula (2) inserted in the outer tube. Two lugs (36) and (37) project outwardly from the inner cannula. The outer tube has a connector (15) that is rotatable and has catch members (28) and (29) that can be rotated into alignment with the lugs (36) and (37) on the inner cannula so as to retain the inner cannula in the outer tube. The inner cannula is removed by twisting the connector (15) through 90° so that the catch members (28) (and 29) move out of alignment with the lugs (36) and (37) to enable the inner cannula to be pulled rearwardly out of the outer tube.