College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-04 20:08:51
Major
Biomedical Engineering
Honors Course
Biomedical Engineering Design II
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2021
Abstract
Tracheal intubations are one of the most common surgeries that occur since they are necessary for most patients under anesthesia. Given the frequency, an error with a relatively low chance of occurring can still provide a large problem both for the patient and the hospital. We studied teeth damage that arise during tracheal intubations to determine if improvements could be made to the process to lower the chance of it occurring. Given this, we set out to improve the laryngoscope to provide a product with a novel approach that sweeps into the mouth from the left side before traveling the rest of the distance down the throat to expose the trachea and vocal cords. This design increases the view on the right side of the mouth for the physician performing the intubation, and ensures that if contact was to occur with the teeth, it would be with the pre-molars which are able to withstand a far greater amount of stress than the incisors due to the increased cross-sectional area. The course of the project followed the FDA Design Control Guidance process where five control gates were utilized to ensure customer requirements and needs were properly categorized during each phase. This also ensured the design outputs verified the design inputs and the final product validated the user needs originally established. The final project outcome delivered a successful 3D printed titanium beta prototype along with strength verification finite element models. The prototype was successfully validated by having Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Anesthesiologists at Akron General successfully perform intubations on manikin heads.
Research Sponsor
Dr. James Keszenheimer
First Reader
Dr. Lawrence Noble
Second Reader
Dr. Audrey Nguyen
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. James Keszenheimer
Recommended Citation
Gregg, Kenneth; Innocenzi, Steven; Myers, Jacob; Neugebauer, Regina; and Noronha, Clarence, "Lateralized Laryngoscope Blade" (2021). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1371.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1371
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