Tracheostomy Tube Security Device Rebecca Clayman, Paul Fossum, Katie Pollock, Kim Safarik Department of Biomedical Engineering Advisor: Paul Thompson Client: Dr. Timothy McCulloch, Department of Otolaryngology Abstract Final Design and Testing In patients who have had a tracheotomy performed, a major post surgery problem is discomfort from the tracheotomy collar. The collar must be secured tightly to keep the tracheotomy tube in place so the patient can successfully breathe. However, if the collar is kept at too high of a tension, it can result in ulcers on the patient’s skin. Our goal is to design a tracheotomy strap that is comfortable, easy to clean and equipped with monitoring devices to ensure that proper pressure is maintained on the neck.   SUBJECT TESTING We polled an unbiased, random sample of people on their opinion of comfort, safety and function while wearing three straps: the cotton strap currently used by our client(1), the blue Velcro strap used by many of his colleagues(2), and the strap that we fabricated(3). Our strap was ranked best in overall comfort, tied for least abrasive, ranked highest in safety, and highest in overall function according to our subjects. ABSORBENCY TESTING Equal area sections of strap were allowed to soak in 10mL of water for 1 min. The straps were removed and the volume of remaining water was measured. The volume difference was taken as the volume absorbed. Foam (Blue strap): 0.3014mL/cm2 Mesh (Our strap): 0.0274mL/cm2 Cotton(White strap): 0.137mL/cm2 MONITORING SYSTEM A red LED light is attached to a battery in series. Connections to the other side of the battery and light rest on a thin piece of plastic. As the tracheotomy strap becomes looser or tighter, it moves which causes the leads to make contact with the foil attached to the strap and complete the circuit, turning on the light. This will alert the nurse on duty of a potential problem when she checks on the patient. Client Requirements Comfortable Easy to clean/maintain Monitoring system to ensure proper pressure Material to adequately expand/Contract with neck fluctuation 5-7 day use http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/hello/51/959/ Final Design Strap Features Belt connections Alarm circuit Comfort balloons Breathable/Non-absorbent mesh material Strap Connection Cost Analysis Current Straps: Ulcers and Banding Caused by excess pressure Loose strap = loose tube Accidental Decannulation Readily absorbs moisture Neck Dependant Jersey Mesh Fabric: $0.50 Water : Priceless Condoms: $2.00 Medical Battery: $3.50 Heat Shrink Tubing: $0.25 LED Light: $0.75 Total = $7.24 Wire: $0.24 Future Work References/Acknowledgements Patient Testing Clinical feedback and testing Different size necks; child/infant and bariatric straps Sound Alarm Self adjusting/correcting pressures http://www.medicdirect.co.uk/images/tracheostomy_large.jpg Belt-Strap Design: Jersey mesh material Belt holes and pin Fits neck size approximately 11 to 20 inches in circumference Easily adjustable Professor Paul Thompson Timothy McCulloch, M.D. Chairmen of Otolaryngology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine of Public Health Anna Krupp, Clinical Nurse Specialist Department of Biomedical Engineering www.tracheostomy.com http://www.marpacinc.com/Images/bariatricart.jpg