Bagpipe Valve Bag Mask
Bag valve masks are a necessity for out-of-hospital settings, such as ambulance crews, and in emergency room settings when a patient’s breathing is insufficient and needs support. Current bag valve mask technology requires two operators working in tandem to be used optimally. Unfortunately, in an emergency situation where the number of responders is limited and it is crucial to maximize efficiency, the two-operator model is a drain on valuable resources and time. Our redesign of the bag valve mask allows one operator to perform at the same level as two operators using the current design. The bag valve mask market is currently estimated to be in excess of $100M USD annually and growing. Since our technology has many benefits over the current design with little or no added cost, it has the potential to capture a significant portion of this market.
Description
Our redesign of the bag valve mask incorporates an extendable neck between the mask and the bag, as well as a strap. These improvements allow the bag to be held and operated between the side and arm, similar to the operation of a bagpipe, freeing both hands to perform the optimal two-handed mask technique. In this way, one operator can both ventilate the patient and secure the mask, effectively doing the work of two people using the original bag. This design also engages larger muscle groups to squeeze the bag, thereby reducing the fatigue of the operator, allowing them to provide breathing support for longer and more effectively at critical times.Applications
· For use by first responders in emergency situations outside the hospital· Replacement for bag valve masks in “crash carts” in a hospital setting
Advantages
· One operator, rather than two, can ventilate a patient, freeing personnel to help other patients· Bag design doesn’t require use of the hands, allowing an optimal two-handed mask technique.
· Larger muscle groups are recruited to use the bag, leading to less operator fatigue.
· Larger muscle group recruitment also make it easier to apply higher pressure and tidal volume