Congratulations, Alekya and team, for the patent “A device to measure Airway Patency”

• Post by: beeslab
• April 28, 2023
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Inventors:

Hardik J. Pandya, Alekya B, Aswin S, Akhil M, S Siddesh Shenoy, Sanjay Rao

Patent Abstract:

The invention relates to a system and method for measuring the inner diameter (ID) of tubular organs such as the trachea using an unfurling actuator having radial arms. Narrowing the central airway reduces the effective lumen area in the tracheal and bronchial segments of the airway anatomy. The loss in patency due to obstruction increases resistance to airflow; hence, it is often associated with morbidity and mortality. A prime challenge in treating patients with constricted airways is the assessment of the airway caliber. At present, surgeons lack a precise method for estimating the diameter intraoperatively. The proposed multi-armed unfurler tool measures the airway caliber even for non-circular stenosis with the versatile two, three, and four-arm actuator mechanism. Objective measurement of airway patency can aid in characterizing varying grades of tracheal obstruction. Quantitative evaluation of alteration in the airway anomaly facilitates targeted diagnosis and expedites on-site decision-making.