Project Overview

Our clients, Drs. Richard Galgon and George Arndt, of the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, work as anesthesiologists at the UW-Hospital. Currently, surgeons and doctors (anesthesiologists, pulmonologists, critical care medicine physicians, and emergency room physicians) use an aerosolized medical grade silicone spray to lubricate certain upper airway tubes, catheters, and bronchoscopes in the operating room, pulmonary suite, intensive care unit, and emergency room, to allow the devices to slide over one another. The devices include, but are not limited to: fiberoptic bronchoscopes, single and double lumen endotracheal tubes, airway exchange catheters, Aintree intubation catheters, laryngeal mask airways and other supraglottic airway devices, bronchoscope and airway circuit adapters, and bronchial blockers. Although the aerosolized silicone oil sufficiently lubricates these medical devices, the current application technique poses three main problems: (1) creates a slippery work environment, presenting a risk of injury to personnel and patients, (2) poses a risk for cryogenic burns (frostbite), and (3) releases particles into the air that can be inhaled. A different effective method of applying the silicone oil lubricant to these devices that eliminates these problems is sought.

Team Picture

Files

• WARF Presentation (November 17, 2011)
• Poster (December 8, 2011)
• Final Paper (December 13, 2011)
• Project Design Specifications (October 20, 2011)
• Midsemester Presentation (October 21, 2011)
• Midsemester Report (October 26, 2011)

Contact Information

Team Members

• Kimberli Carlson - Team Leader
• Tian Zhou - Communicator
• Claire Wardrop - BSAC
• Ryan Nessman - BWIG

Advisor and Client

• Prof. Amit Nimunkar - Advisor
• Dr. Richard Galgon - Client
• Dr. George Arndt - Alternate Contact

Related Projects

• Spring 2012: Silicone oil applicator for medical devices
• Fall 2011: Silicone oil applicator for medical devices