Overcoming Challenges in a Laryngoscopy Using Magnetic Medical Connectors

This case study goes in depth about challenges faced in the operating room, and the steps that Onanon’s engineers took to alleviate them.

Laryngoscopy procedures require specialized equipment that prioritizes patient comfort and physician control. Onanon recently collaborated with a top medical video laryngoscope manufacturer to address a critical challenge in making this procedure better. They needed a custom medical connector to solve this issue.

A medical device company was utilizing HDMI connectors in their process, an ineffective and irritating part of the process. Given its difficulty to move, HTMI cords hinder the procedure for both the patient and physician. Onanon’s MagConnect®, a magnetic connector, played a pivotal role in enhancing both of these experiences.

Understanding Laryngoscopy: The Medical Procedure

A laryngoscopy is a vital diagnostic procedure employed by medical professionals to visualize the larynx, vocal cords, and other structures within the upper airway. This procedure plays a crucial role in diagnosing a variety of conditions, including vocal cord disorders, airway obstructions, and potential tumors.

During a this procedure, a specialized instrument called a laryngoscope is inserted through the mouth or nose, allowing the doctor to examine the throat using a camera and light source. The success of a laryngoscopy procedure hinges on precise maneuvering of the laryngoscope.

The esophagus is delicate in nature, which means it requires equipment that minimizes discomfort and potential tissue damage. Our team first learned about the procedure to fully understand how our products could help and the pain points to keep in mind while designing.

The Need for a Magnetic Medical Connector

In the past, this medical manufacturer relied on HDMI connectors to transmit the visual data captured by the laryngoscope’s camera. However given the accessibility of changing technology around them, they decided to look for a better solution. Even while HDMI connectors offer good image quality, they present a significant challenge as their design does not facilitate easy disconnection. This is huge part of this procedure for ensuring the safety of the patient.

The rigid nature of HDMI connectors can prevent smooth maneuvering of the laryngoscope within the patient’s esophagus. Additionally, during a laryngoscopy, as with any medical procedure, there are unforeseen complications that make it necessary for the immediate removal of an instrument. In these scenarios, a difficult or delayed disconnection due to a cumbersome connector can potentially lead to unintended pressure, causing discomfort and even tissue damage to the patient.

The Limitations of Old Connectors

Recognizing the limitations of traditional HDMI connectors, the medical manufacturer was looking to develop a custom connector solution that addressed the specific needs of laryngoscopy procedures. They saw the potential of MagConnect®, using the magnetic connector to easily disconnect, when necessary, in the procedure to avoid damage.

Key Benefits of Custom Medical Connectors

Onanon’s decades of experience in healthcare solutions, allowed them to start on a collaborative effort to design a medical connector that offered the following key benefits:

Ease of Disconnection: MagConnect® can be created and tailored to a specific force needed to disconnect the magnetic connector from its cable or device. This feature left the finished laryngoscope completely optimized to the procedure and safer to use. Incorporating a magnetic breakaway feature ensures the immediate separation of the laryngoscope from the cable upon encountering excessive resistance.

Durability and Reliability: The medical environment needs equipment that can withstand the rigors of repeated use and sterilization procedures. The connector must attach to laryngoscopes repeatedly which requires its connector to be long lasting and durable.

Compact Design: The space constraints within the patient’s anatomy require a compact connector design that minimizes the laryngoscope’s profile. Onanon’s engineers carefully considered the size and shape of the medical connector, ensuring it seamlessly integrates with the laryngoscope.

High-Quality Signal Transmission: Despite the emphasis on ease of disconnection, maintaining high-quality image transmission remains paramount. MagConnect®’s technology is designed to deliver exceptional electrical conductivity, ensuring clear and uninterrupted video signals from the laryngoscope’s camera to the external monitor. Part of what makes MagConnect® such an incredible connector is its ability to disconnect when needed, but never lose quality.

Onanon’s Certifications

Additionally, Onanon is an ISO 13485 Certified company. We follow a regulation that ensures our QMS (quality management system) aligns with developing and producing medical-grade products. For decades, Onanon has carefully manufactured connectors for the medical field, consistently proving to meet high-quality expectations, regardless of the specific engineering requirements for medical assemblies. Onanon commits to always employing high-quality materials and robust construction techniques to ensure long-lasting performance and unwavering reliability.

A Long-Lasting Partnership

After years of success with Onanon’s cable assembly, this same medical device company then approached Onanon for a connector for their bronchoscopy. The company not only enjoyed our solution but working with our team enough to come back for another project. They have consistently seen and are confident in the quality of work that Onanon’s engineers produce. Given our in-house manufacturing capabilities, our team is also able to produce prototypes quickly. This ensures that the product a company wants is exactly what they will be getting, as efficiently as possible. Our engineers want to work directly with companies to produce a product right for them. We are excited to build partnerships with pivotal companies and deliver impactful advancements in healthcare technology.

The Future of Custom Medical Connectors

As we move forward more manufacturers use our custom connectors in the medical field. There will be an easier procedure conducted for medical professionals and patients alike. Onanon prides itself on delivering quality products to every customer. Finally, with so many examples of creating custom cable assemblies, Onanon is the best manufacturer for custom magnetic connectors. We ensure that all our products work correctly especially when we have lives depending on it. All in all, technology continues to advance, Onanon will follow, helping to revolutionize one procedure at a time.

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