A Biomimetic Tip-Growing, Self-Deploying Intubation Device for Safer, More Effective Airway Management in Austere, Far-Forward Environments
Abstract
Despite over 100 years of experience, tracheal intubation remains a complex and difficult procedure for all but the most experienced medical providers. Intimate knowledge of the anatomy, skilled hands working in calm coordination, and a clear line of sight to the objective are all necessary prerequisites for successful completion. In a warzone, all of these preconditions are quickly lost due to the nature of combat zones and combat injury. Because of this, airway mismanagement is the second leading cause of preventable battlefield deaths. The proposed work addresses this problem by developing an autonomous, soft, self-contained, and self-deploying endotracheal tube. Known as the Origin ETT, the proposed device has to date attained a first-pass intubation success rate of 94% in anatomically correct airway mannequins. This rate is competitive with the success rate of skilled anesthesiologists in the operating room, yet is attained in the hands of medical laypeople (engineers and non-medical students). Objective: One in 10 preventable combat fatalities are directly attributed to airway mismanagement. The proposed work seeks to address this issue by rapidly translating our technology and acquiring FDA clearance to put the capabilities present at military treatment facilities (MTFs) in the hands of every Service Member, even in remote and far-forward environments. Tracheal intubation is the most common intervention in (MTFs). This is because airway management is a critical procedure to treat life-threatening illness and injury, as compromised breathing quickly leads to death. In bringing the capability of intubation to far-forward environments, we believe we are capable of drastically reducing the level of airway fatalities, and improving casualty outcomes by providing effective ventilation far in advance of arrival to an MTF. If successful, we will simultaneously address a similar issue in the civilian sphere, were up to half of pre-hospital intubations fail. Fit with Focus Areas: This proposal is uniquely positioned to address Focus Area II. As the world’s first autonomous endotracheal tube, the Origin ETT provides a unique capability that enhances combat care delivery throughout the far-forward environment. Moreover, we address numerous Areas of Encouragement: improving Warfighter capabilities by enabling every team member to deliver life-saving care; improving learning and training outcomes by eliminating the extensive training overhead currently required for effective airway management; and treating pattern injuries and assisting in sustained resuscitation by providing a necessary capability when treating hemorrhagic shock. Impact and Translation: The Origin ETT represents a new paradigm with the potential to solve a critically important problem in both the military and civilian spheres: airway management in complex, uncertain environments. By combining the knowledge of experts from the field of soft, tip-growing devices and the field airway management, we are well- poised to rapidly translate this promising laboratory technology to battlefield operation. With a highly effective airway tool in every medic’s backpack, the American Warfighter takes a piece of the MTF with them. In so doing, they will be better prepared to take on any adversary on any terrain at any time. Finally, the problem of tracheal intubation doesn’t exclusively exist on the battlefield. At home, paramedics and EMTs fail to intubate as frequently as they succeed, and more than 25% of Americans live more than 45 minutes from a trauma center. The successful translation of this technology, therefore, is not simply a step towards saving Americans abroad, but also saving Americans at home.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2024
- Source ID
- HT94252310872
Entities
People
- Elliot W Hawkes
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of California, Santa Barbara