Monday, October 8, 2007

The Tongue Sucker

Filed under: Anesthesiology , Critical Care , Emergency Medicine , Medicine , Military Medicine

The Tongue Sucker is a prototype device designed for forward displacement of the tongue from posterior pharynx, to open the airway during emergencies. The idea for the device has been conceived by four students at the Royal College of Art.

The Tongue Sucker's approach to the problem is simple and logical and may be performed by anyone.

The bulb is squeezed, the tube placed over the tongue, and released. This action creates a vacuum, which sucks onto the tip of the tongue pulling the rear off the throat and into the carefully designed self-sealing chamber.

1) Squeeze the bulb and locate over tongue

2) Release bulb and begin chest compressions

Once the oropharynx is opened the rescuer is free to perform compression only CPR. This is a simplified version of CPR involving administering compressions without intermittent ventilation.

The benefit of the Tongue Sucker is that as the airway is now open during compressions, passive chest recoil (the movement of the chest in reaction to compressions) may be adequate to provide sufficient air exchange.

In view of your correspondent, an anesthesiologist, the device might come particularly handy during difficult airway cases, and during fiberoptic intubations.

Product page: Tonguesucker ...

(hat tip: Medlaunches.com)

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