A Novel Design for a Jaw-Thrust and Head Immobilization Device and its Successful Testing Using a Human Simulator

Abstract

Jaw thrust is a common maneuver performed by medical care providers to open and maintain an airway in an unconscious patient. This essential procedure not only occupies a significant amount of time for the health care provider, but can also result in physical discomfort (low back pain) or fatigue when it is performed for an extended period of time. A mechanical device would not only prevent fatigue of the provider, but it can also free up time to perform other necessary tasks in management of the critically ill patient. The aim of this study is to develop a novel mechanical device that can perform jaw thrust on older children and adults along with maintaining an open airway. The jaw thrust device includes an extension arm mounted on a base to be placed on each side of the patient’s head. The mandible rest (jaw thruster) is mounted on each extension arm such that it can be positioned under the patient’s jaw. A chinstrap with rubber tubing is placed on four points across the base. A jaw thrusting pressure on the mandible rest causes a rotational force on the chin straps. This opens the mouth without substantially tilting the patient’s head. The device then maintains an open airway without any continuous attention. The supports on each side also immobilize the head in the midline and helps in maintaining the alignment of the cervical vertebrae. Finite element analyses of each of the components were done and a prototype was built for functional evaluation on a patient simulator. The device, when tested and applied to a human patient simulator in an ‘obstructed airway state,’ was able to open the airway evidenced by a cough reflex elicited in response. An ‘airway opened’ timestamp was also noted in the computer attached to the simulator.