Winged Bite Block Structure for Airway Tube Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bite blocks either obstruct airway tubes or provide inadequate protection to the mouth during medical procedures, leading to potential injuries such as tongue laceration, dental injury, and pulmonary issues due to biting down during procedures like ECT or intubation.
Innovation Solution
A bite block design with winged portions that space the cheek away from teeth and accommodate an airway tube, providing bilateral protection and stabilizing the tube's position, constructed from materials like polyethylene foam or silicone, with features like tabs to limit tube movement and accommodate varying mouth sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional bite blocks are used to protect dental structures, then dental protection is provided, but airway tube passage is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The bite block is divided into distinct functional segments: a protecting portion with winged portions for dental protection, and a connecting portion with a channel for airway tube passage. This segmentation allows each portion to independently fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting portion acts as an intermediary element that bridges the protecting portion and the airway tube. The channel within the connecting portion provides a dedicated pathway for the airway tube to pass through, mediating between the protective function and the airway management function.
2Ease of operation
If the mouth is spaced open during medical procedures, then airway management is facilitated, but the subject may bite down causing tongue laceration or dental injury
Solution Approach 1:
The winged portions of the bite block are positioned to extend into the subject's mouth before the procedure begins, creating a protective barrier that cushions the tongue and dental structures against accidental biting during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harmful action of biting down into a beneficial protective mechanism. The rigid winged portions are positioned to receive biting forces, directing them away from vulnerable areas like the tongue and teeth, thereby transforming the biting reflex from a hazard into a stabilizing force.
3Device complexity
If a single-sided bite block is used, then device complexity is reduced, but protection coverage is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining overall structural simplicity, the bite block employs asymmetric winged portions that extend laterally to provide bilateral protection. The connecting portion is positioned centrally to asymmetrically balance the protecting portions on either side, achieving comprehensive coverage without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a bite block configured to receive a tube for intubation is provided. In some embodiments, the bite block may include a connecting portion and at least two winged portions extending outwardly from the connecting portion. In some embodiments, the connecting portion may include a channel extending between a front face and a rear face of the connecting portion with the channel being configured to receive an airway tube for intubation. The at least two winged portions may be configured to contact at least some molars of the subject when the bite block is positioned in the subject's mouth, and the winged portions may be configured to space the subject's cheek away from the subject's teeth.