1. The HemoBlocker: An Innovative Solution Allowing Continuous Ventilation During Massive Respiratory Hemorrhage J. Ignacio Aguilera1, Cesar De la Garza1, Aura Teasley1, Marcelo Vital1, Gold Hood2, R. Lyle Hood2 Department of Biomedical Engineering1, Mechanical Engineering2, University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas
Abstract
During emergency situations involving damage to the airways, patients commonly suffer massive hemorrhage into the tracheal tree which prevents gas exchange and can eventually lead to death if not properly treated. Current countermeasures involve cessation of ventilation to clear the airway through suction, which can be deadly highly detrimental to a patient who already requires ventilation. Our objective is to develop a multiport device that enables aspiration of the hemorrhage between ventilation cycles with minimal airflow interruption.
Introduction
Conditions like massive hemoptysis or acute pulmonary edema involve large volumes of blood that fill the alveoli and lead to hypoxemia. Prompt response is necessary for the survival of the patient and involves protecting the airway and providing adequate ventilation. However, when dealing with massive respiratory hemorrhage, maintaining uninterrupted oxygenation is challenging. The team proposes a method and assistive device to allow for the removal of accumulated blood without disconnection of the ventilator, enabling continuous ventilation of the patient. This will also serve as a strategy to manage the excess amount of fluid that has the potential of reaching and fouling the respiratory circuit, including the ventilator, suction catheter, bronchial blocker, and bronchoscope.
2. Proposed Design
The device should allow the use of a suction catheter while minimizing, if not preventing, ventilation interruption. In addition, the device should be lightweight, sterilizable, transparent, and disposable. Ports should be readily accessible, easily identifiable, and easily coupled to the pertinent instrument. The multiport should seal completely upon coupled assembly, avoiding the leakage of fluids or gases within the system. When properly oriented, the blood collection chamber will be located underneath the device. The orifice directing the blood to the collection chamber is located prior to the interface between the multiport and endotracheal tube, allowing gravity-based redirection and preventing fouling of upstream components. As the chamber starts filling up, the user has the option to pump the fluid outside of the chamber, freeing the volume to store additional incoming fluid.
3. Results and Conclusions
A House of Quality Analysis was conducted where an importance weight chosen from 0.00 to 1.00 was given to each individual customer requirement (CR). The total weight must add to unity. The relationship between CRs and technical specifications (TSs) was evaluated on a point-scale from ‘1-5’: ‘1’ representing minimal fulfillment of the CR, and ‘5’ representing completely meeting the CR. The device will be fabricated through injection molding. High-density polyethylene (HPPE) was chosen as the material for the multiport, and Silicon Rubber for the lids. For a initial production run of 10,000 units a total cost was estimated to be $36,559 ($0.366 per part). Initial prototyping of this device is underway, which will be immediately followed by feasibility assessment.
Figure 1: Technical Drawings showing dimensions
Fig. 3: CAD of the HemoBlocker Assembly
Air (in)
Blood (out)
Fig. 2 House of Quality analysis
Fig. 4: Diagram Showing Necessary Orientation
Proceedings of the 2018 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Annual Conference The University of Texas at Austin
April 4-6, 2018