A novel airway device with tactile sensing capabilities for verifying correct endotracheal tube placement

“…These sensors can be integrated into a standard ETT for measurements at the cuff-trachea interface, a cuff enclosed within a secondary double cuff configuration avoids direct contact between the OFS and tissue. There have been other attempts to integrate sensors into a tracheal tube [ 19 , 20 ], although none that combine contact pressure and perfusion. Photoplethysmography (PPG) of the body core, such as one obtained in the trachea, may be more desirable than a PPG obtained on the peripheries of a patient due to it being less affected by ambient light, skin tone and common medical complications such as blood loss, hypothermia and obesity [ 21 ].…”

“…(6) There are various kinds of tactile sensors, such as optical, piezoresistive, piezoelectric, capacitive, and elastoresistive sensors. (7)(8)(9)(10)(11) Some approaches to the quantitative characterization of texture using these sensors have been attempted as a replacement for sensory testing. Mazid and Russell measured texture as surface roughness by scanning with an opto-tactile sensor.…”

“…Indeed, there have been studies using elastoresistant tactile sensors to verify the correct endotracheal tube placement 4 . The overall aim of this work is to use a fibre-optic pressure sensor based on FBGs to continuously measure 3 …”