Design and Development of an Intubation Catheter Integrated with MEMS-based Sensors for Central Airway Obstruction

Abstract

Airway pathology leads to alteration in fluid flow, tissue biomechanics, and loss of patency. To address this clinical challenge, we developed an intraoperative tool to locate the site of obstruction, characterize tracheal tissue stiffness, and quantify the lumen diameter. To quantify the three parameters, flows sensors, force sensors, and unfurling compliant actuator evolved. The small size, fast response, and low power consumption of Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors for medical diagnostics and biointerface engineering make them an optimal choice for integrating with healthcare monitoring tools. MEMS sensors allow miniaturization, batch fabrication, conformal mounting on catheters, guidewires, and endoscopes. This work comprehends all phases involved in the tool development, from the fabrication of microengineered sensors to integrating on flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and further validating its utility in a pseudo-physiological test bench using excised sheep tracheal tissues.