Desenvolvimento e avaliação de um protótipo de laringoscópio instrumentado para aprimoramento da intubação orotraqueal

Abstract

Orotracheal intubation is an essential medical procedure to ensure a secure airway, but proficiency assessment during training often lacks objective metrics, which can lead to complications and a prolonged learning curve. This study presents the development and evaluation of an experimental prototype that integrates a strain gauge force sensor and an inertial measurement unit with a laryngoscope, aiming to provide biomechanical parameters for orotracheal intubation training. The methodology involved integrating a strain gauge into the laryngoscope hook for force measurement and an inertial sensor positioned on the back of the operator's hand to capture movement data, such as acceleration and angular velocity. The systems, controlled by two different microcontrollers, transmit data simultaneously to a computer via serial communication and Wi-Fi. The force system was validated through tests with known masses, resulting in a linear regression model with high correlation (R2 = 0,9828), while analysis of the inertial sensor demonstrated the ability to identify patterns for specific wrist movements, such as flexion/extension, adduction/abduction, and pronation/supination. The results indicate the technical feasibility of the prototype as a teaching tool to provide quantitative feedback in simulation-based training, contributing to the improvement of the orotracheal intubation technique.