SIM Center Testings
We visited the SIM Center at the UCSD medical school multiple times (April 20th, April 30th, May 6th and May 17th) to do Mannequin testings and Cadaver testings which contribute to the risk reduction experiments, troubleshooting of pressure sensing tests and Elbow clip version III and version IV development.
Figure 1: Elbow Clip Design development along testings
Cadaver Testing
No pictures allowed, here are some take aways we gain from the tests and what we used to updates our design.
Positive:
The Elbow clip design hold its position and didn't get fractured.
The design is user friendly, it is easy to put and remove without having un-wanted slipping
Various angle options benefits the users to fit different scenarios
Negative:
The actual voice area is more narrow. The clip cannot lift the tube entirely off the voice-box area. We need pressure testing to test the ability of creating bending to overcome the pressure created by the throat.
Mannequin Test
The Sim Center provides some high-quality Mannequins that could mimic various real-life situations.
During the testing, the professional physician would go through the intubation process and apply the elbow clip before and after the intubation.
The Laryngoscope with the camera at the tip allows us to observe the clip's condition inside the mannequin and verify the position of the clip.
A point pressure sensor is applied to the voice-box position. It collects pressure information and monitors pressure changes (Our plan). Figures below present the resource we used during the testing, and the photo of the clip when it is inside the mannequin.
Laryngoscope
Equipments with camera that been used during the intubation
Stylet
Two types of adjustable stylet to help adjust the tube shape for easier intubate
Mannequin
Detail structure inside the Mannequin;
Key feature for the Mannequin Testing
Figure 3: Version II Elbow clip design withe clip angle from 60º -90º
Figure 4: Version III Elbow clip design withe clip angle from 85º -115º
Elbow Clip Version II
Elbow Clip Version IV
Clip inside
This is what the clip looks like inside the mannequin.
The clip is put right after the tongue
Intubation View
This is the intubation view of the Vocal Chords (White) and Posterior Larynx (Bottom)