Preliminary Development and Engineering Evaluation of a Novel Cricothyrotomy Device

Cricothyrotomy is one of the procedures used to ventilate upper airway blockage patients. The objectives of this paper are to examine the most regularly used cricothyrotomy devices, to suggest critical design specifications for improving the devices, and to introduce a new cricothyrotomy device as well as perform an engineering evaluation of the devices’ critical components. A review of the literature, manufacturer products and patents was performed to determine current cricothyrotomy devices in use. Four principal cricothyrotomy devices are currently in clinical use. From our review the Cookâ„¢ Melker device is the preferred method of clinicians but has acknowledged problems. Our group has developed a novel cricothyrotomy device, which addresses all design specifications and was shown to be very promising through engineering and in situ evaluations.