Video Stylet with Deflectable Tip for Intubation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video laryngoscope systems provide a limited field of view during intubation, restricting the user's ability to visualize the entire larynx and trachea, leading to prolonged intubation times and increased risk of injury, especially in morbidly obese patients, due to restricted anatomy visibility and the need for manual adjustment of the stylet's angulation.
Innovation Solution
A video laryngoscope system with a split-screen display combining images from a video laryngoscope and a flexible video stylet, allowing simultaneous visualization of the upper and lower anatomy, and enabling the stylet tip to be deflectable for precise angulation without removal, facilitating easier manipulation and quicker intubation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a video laryngoscope is used to provide imaging during intubation, then the user can visualize the larynx and vocal cords, but the field of view is limited to only two-thirds of the anatomy with the lower one-third not visible
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into two separate imaging devices: one on the video laryngoscope for visualizing the upper anatomy (larynx and vocal cords) and another on the video stylet for visualizing the lower anatomy (trachea). This segmentation allows each device to capture a specific portion of the anatomy, collectively providing a complete 360-degree view that resolves the limited field of view problem.
2Ease of operation
If the stylet tip is made rigid to provide proper angulation for intubation, then the ETT can be introduced through the vocal cords, but the view is blocked by the stylet and ETT during advancement
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet is designed with a deflectable tip section that can be dynamically adjusted during the procedure. The tip can be bent to the required degree to achieve proper angulation for passing through the vocal cords, while the ability to adjust the bend allows the operator to optimize both the angulation for intubation and the visibility of the anatomy ahead, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for angulation and flexibility for visualization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of the stylet's angulation is performed to match patient anatomy, then the stylet can be properly positioned, but additional time is required which increases intubation duration
Solution Approach 1:
The video stylet includes an imaging device that provides real-time visual feedback of the anatomy ahead. This feedback allows the operator to immediately see the effect of angulation adjustments on the visibility of the trachea and vocal cords, enabling rapid optimization of the stylet position without time-consuming trial and error adjustments. The feedback mechanism accelerates the adaptation process and reduces overall intubation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A video intubation system that provides for multiple image streams to be simultaneously presented to a user, the first image stream generated by a video laryngoscope and the second image stream generated by a video stylet. The video stylet is provided with a deflection section for ease of introducing an ETT into the trachea of a patient, the video stylet having a pistol-type grip and a control interface in the form of a trigger-type lever to facilitate comfortable griping and manipulation by the user.