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Presenter: Kayla Gitonga

Faculty Sponsor: Cathal J. Kearney

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Biomedical Engineering

Session: Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM, Auditorium, A46

ABSTRACT

Anatomical and physiological changes during pregnancy, including increased airway edema, significantly complicate airway management during procedures such as cesarean sections. These changes result in intubation failure rates that are two to three times higher than in non-pregnant patients, along with higher risk of airway trauma, aspiration, and maternal morbidity. Intubation of pregnant patients is advised against as current airway devices are not suitable to safely manage their airway. This design proposes a de-edema spray device with the purpose of reducing swelling of the airway during the pre-operative phase of planned procedures. The device delivers medication through a flexible transnasal wand during the pre-oxygenation window, allowing for edema reduction prior to intubation. This device uses a spring-actuated pump within the ergonomic handle composed of clinically compatible and manufacturable materials. Regulatory guidelines for risk management, biocompatibility, and safety informed the design process to ensure safe and reliable intranasal use in patients. Design specifications were advised by user needs including clinical performance, safety, and manufacturability with defined marginal and ideal targets. A PLA prototype of the handle and internal spray mechanism will undergo verification and validation testing, including repeated- use durability assessments, spray particle size analysis, and user-handling simulations to confirm alignment with design specifications. By addressing airway edema prior to intubation, this device aims to improve airway management through targeted medication delivery that reduces swelling, facilitates safer intubation, and enhances maternal safety in high-risk patients.