Team 1

CO2-Based Guidance System for Endotracheal Intubation

Team Members: Sarah Brady
Renee Chao
Devika Dileep
Irene Zhang

Team Mentors: William Tyler, PhD - SBHSE
James Bogert, MD - Dignity Health

YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/81063095976

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation is a lifesaving procedure that involves the insertion of a breathing tube into the trachea, required for patients that are undergoing surgery or who cannot breathe independently. Traditionally, a laryngoscope is used to visualize the vocal cords and a tube is then passed down the throat into the trachea. While intubation is a common and important procedure, high skill is required to perform it and there are high risks in performing it improperly (damage to soft tissue in the throat, teeth, placement in the esophagus rather than trachea leading to inadequate respiration, etc.) While the ability to perform the procedure properly comes only from time and experience, intubation can be made even more difficult when there is unfavorable anatomy (swelling, trauma, bloody airway, etc) blocking visualization. As such, there is a need for a device that helps better visualize and clear the path for intubation, especially in unfavorable circumstances. The concept for such is an attachment for a bronchoscope-based intubation, which will use CO2 sensors to measure the existing CO2 concentration differences/gradients within the mouth and larynx in order to guide the bronchoscope tip to the point of intubation. These features should aid in intubation training and difficult-to-intubate situations. Product specifications completed include proof of concept of virtual and experimental models of CO2 mass transport in the upper respiratory tract/laryngeal environment and correlation of CO2 concentration with distance travelled.