Transparent Intubation Barrier With Iris Arm Portals for Aerosol Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transparent barriers for medical procedures allow potential aerosol exposure despite having reduced portals, necessitating a solution that minimizes aerosol transmission and disease spread while maintaining operator access.
Innovation Solution
A transparent intubation barrier with flexible, iris-style arm portals and a collapsible patient portal that molds around the patient's neck and chest, allowing seamless access and reducing aerosol exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple open portals are provided for operator access, then ease of operation is improved, but aerosol exposure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible membrane seals at the arm portals that conform to the operator's arm and hand, creating a barrier that maintains portal accessibility while preventing aerosol leakage. The thin film material allows the portal to remain open for access while sealing around the operator's extremities to block harmful aerosols.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary between the open portal and the enclosed space, allowing operator access while filtering and blocking aerosol transmission. This mediator enables the portal to serve dual functions: providing access when needed and preventing exposure when the operator's arm is withdrawn.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the barrier enclosure is extended to cover the patient's chest, then aerosol exposure protection is improved, but adaptability to different patient positions and procedures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier enclosure is segmented into modular sections that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This allows the enclosure to cover the head and neck for intubation procedures while leaving the chest exposed for cardiac compressions or defibrillation, providing both protection and adaptability through selective coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier enclosure incorporates dynamic, adjustable components that can be reconfigured during procedures. The segmented design allows real-time modification of the enclosed area to accommodate changing patient positions and procedural requirements, maintaining both protection and versatility.
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed-size portals are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation for different operator arm sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The arm portals utilize flexible membrane seals that can deform and conform to various arm sizes and shapes. This flexible approach maintains precise sealing at the portal interface while accommodating the natural variation in operator anatomy, resolving the conflict between manufacturing precision and operational comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The portal sealing mechanism incorporates parameter changes through the flexible material's ability to alter its shape and size dynamically. The membrane can expand and contract to match different arm dimensions while maintaining a precise seal, allowing fixed portal openings to adapt to variable operator anatomy.
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 intubation barrier effectively minimizes aerosol exposure and disease transmission by sealing around the patient's head and neck, while ensuring comfortable and efficient access for healthcare providers during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
each of the left side and right side operator arm portals support an iris type diaphragm operably closing each portal in the absence of an arm
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the arm portals includes at least two adjacent flexible sheet inserts, each having a plurality of radial divides emanating from a center
Implementation Method 3
a transparent barrier enclosure reduces exposure from any potentially aerosolized chemicals and/or biohazards during any head, face, neck, oropharyngeal and/or airway procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent intubation barrier in the form of a box is provided which substantially reduces aerosol exposure and the transmission of disease between patient and healthcare provider.