IoT-Enabled Design and Implementation of an Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure Controller Device

Abstract

This work presents the design and implementation of an IoT enabled Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure Controller Device. This device, a fusion of electronics, control, and software engineering, aims to automatically regulate the cuff pressure of an Endotracheal Tube placed in a patient's trachea, ensuring that it remains within the optimal pressure range. The ideal pressure range, established to be between 20-30 cmH2O, can be adjusted to accommodate different patients' needs. The device is designed as an IoT device and includes an emergency button for shutting down the system in case of an emergency. The total cost of the system, which amounts to approximately 70 USD, makes it a cost-effective solution compared to other commercially available options. In order to verify the device's capability to accurately read and supply pressure, it is benchmarked against the gold standard (Fluke 729 300G FC) using quantitative tests including Pearson's r test, the paired t-test, and Bland-Altman analysis. The results from these assessments confirmed that the performance characteristics of the device are notably comparable to the Fluke 729 300G FC, which will be further examined in this study. These outcomes, along with the device's economic viability, validate it as a workable and reasonable alternative. The necessity for an automated and continuous monitoring system is further reinforced by the fact that manual cuff pressure measurement is prone to error and may even put the patient through discomfort.