Ventilation Tube Loading Device for Tympanic Membrane Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The placement of middle ear ventilation tubes is challenging due to difficulties in inserting them into the tympanic membrane, often requiring multiple attempts and causing pain, especially in young children, who may need general anesthesia, which is costly and risky.
Innovation Solution
A loading device and method for easily loading ventilation tubes into an inserter device, featuring a main body with a protruding member and elongated hollow body to securely hold and align the tube, facilitating its correct positioning and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sharp blade and surgical instruments are used to manually place the ventilation tube into the tympanic membrane, then the tube can be inserted, but the procedure becomes difficult and requires multiple attempts due to the confined space and tube dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a loading device for tube preparation, a delivery device for precise insertion, and a deployment mechanism for controlled release. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability while simplifying the operational sequence for the surgeon.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation tube is nested within the delivery device, which is itself nested within the loading device. This nested configuration protects the tube during handling, maintains precise positioning, and enables single-step insertion without manual manipulation in the confined ear canal space.
2Reliability
If repeated manipulation of the tympanic membrane is performed to achieve tube placement, then the tube can be inserted, but the procedure becomes painful requiring general anesthesia
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation tube is pre-loaded into the delivery device before approaching the tympanic membrane. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated manipulation and repositioning during the procedure, reducing pain and allowing the operation to be performed under local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the tympanic membrane, providing a controlled interface that minimizes direct manipulation of the sensitive ear structures. The device guides the tube through a single, smooth insertion motion, reducing trauma and pain to the patient.
3Reliability
If multiple attempts are made to place the ventilation tube, then eventual placement can be achieved, but the procedure time increases and costs increase due to general anesthesia
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is pre-loaded and pre-positioned in the delivery device, eliminating the need for multiple attempts. This preliminary preparation ensures that the tube is ready for immediate insertion in a single controlled motion, significantly reducing procedure time and eliminating the need for costly general anesthesia.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-loading and self-positioning, with the tube automatically held in the correct orientation and position within the delivery device. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for repeated manual adjustment and manipulation, reducing procedure time to a single insertion step.
Data Source
AI summary
A loading device is configured to load a ventilation tube into an inserter device. The loading device includes a main body and at least one protruding member extending from the main body and terminating at a loading tip. An elongated hollow body has a first end, a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The elongated hollow body surrounds the at least one protruding member such that at least a portion of an outer facing surface of the protruding member engages with an inner wall of the elongated hollow body. A ventilation tube engages with the loading tip of the protruding member and is at least partially located within the elongated hollow body.