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Team 10 is working with Dr Nolan Shipman to design a wireless system to measure and control the pressure of endotracheal tube cuffs. No such system is currently in use, and its implementation could reduce the health risks associated with endotracheal tubes. The endotracheal tube is used in anesthesia, intensive care, and emergency medicine for mechanical ventilation of the patient.
The current design for these one-time use tubes implements a pressure cuff that prevents any liquid from passing through the trachea into the lungs. Currently, the pressure of these cuffs is not continuously monitored, and this can result in several problems. Improper endotracheal tube cuff inflation can result in ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) or impede blood flow to tracheal tissue. This often results in tissue damage and necrosis.
Team 10 seeks to solve this problem by designing a system which will enable health care personnel to better detect and correct improper endotracheal tube cuff inflation. Phase I of this project takes place during the Fall 2007 semester and primarily focuses on device design. Phase II takes place during the Spring 2008 semester and focuses on the assembly and refinement of the design.
