Dr. Chih-Peng Lin from National Taiwan University Hospital has developed a new endoscopic image-guided tracheostomy set. This innovative set integrates an endoscope into the front end of the tracheostomy tube, allowing direct visualization to minimize the risk of damaging the tracheal wall and losing control of the airway during the procedure. Additionally, it significantly reduces manpower requirements.

Traditional Tracheostomy Procedures Pose Puncture Risks

Traditional tracheostomy procedures are typically performed in one of two ways: under general anesthesia by a surgeon or through percutaneous tracheostomy. While percutaneous tracheostomy is quicker and requires less anesthesia time, it can cause tracheal wall injury or rupture in some patients.

Dr. Lin notes that traditional tracheostomy procedures involve two medical staff members observing the endoscope and performing the tracheostomy. The process occasionally results in accidents due to blind spots in the imaging, such as the tube mistakenly entering a false lumen, leading to severe complications like pneumothorax and mediastinal emphysema.

New Endoscopic Image-Guided Tracheostomy Set Reduces Risks by 50%

To address these issues, Dr. Lin's team developed the new endoscopic image-guided tracheostomy set. This set features a CMOS sensor embedded at the front end of the tracheostomy tube, replacing the need for a bronchoscope. The direct visualization enables doctors to accurately confirm that the tracheostomy tube is correctly placed within the tracheal lumen, significantly reducing the risk of mispuncture.

The advantages of this new set lie in its integration and real-time capabilities. The integrated design allows doctors to view the endoscopic images directly on the tracheostomy tube without needing additional endoscopic equipment. Moreover, the set employs wireless transmission technology, enabling real-time imaging of the trachea's interior, thereby avoiding misjudgments due to image delays.

Clinical trials have shown that this new set can increase surgery speed by 50%, reduce procedure time by 75%, decrease manpower by 50%, and lower risks by 50%.

Significant Clinical Value and High Market Potential

Dr. Lin emphasizes that this product is suitable not only for standard tracheostomy procedures but also for high-difficulty cases such as pediatric and emergency tracheostomies. The product has completed software verification, biocompatibility, and electrical safety testing, and has obtained several domestic and international patents. The team is actively seeking partners to bring the product to market soon, aiming to benefit more patients.

Resource (mandarin): 新創焦點 - 台大研發新型氣切手術套組，內視鏡整合氣切管，直視影像降低穿刺風險！