Single-Prong Nasal Cannula
The Single-Prong Dual Port Nasal Cannula improves access to the face during surgeries of the head and neck, providing a more effective solution for delivering oxygen during sedation than other available products.
Technology Overview
Patrick Yeatts, MD, a surgeon at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, has developed a novel, single-prong nasal cannula that addresses the shortcomings of the traditional cannula.
This novel single-prong nasal cannula delivers oxygen through a single nostril and wraps around one side of the mouth. The design makes the surgical field more accessible. In addition, the longer prong reliably delivers oxygen into the back of the nasal cavity, which helps prevent collapse of the soft palate. The intentional distance between the oxygen and carbon dioxide ports permits monitoring of carbon dioxide while delivering oxygen to the upper airway.
The design of current dual-prong nasal cannulas interferes with the surgical field and compromises safety during head and neck surgery. Such nasal cannulas hinder access to the face as they wrap around the cheekbones, behind the ear and under the chin. Also, due to their short prongs, current cannulas can easily dislodge, diminishing oxygen delivery to the patient and creating a fire hazard by increasing the concentration of oxygen in the surgical field where cautery is often in use.
Working prototype
- Patrick Yeatts, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
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John Druga, MS, MBA
Licensing Director, Technology Commercialization
+1.336.716.4421
jdruga@wakehealth.edu