Demonstrating Coniotomy with Reusable Phantom Larynx

Abstract

In emergencies of suffocating patients, doctors typically perform an incision made through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to clear the patient’s airway. This type of procedure is called coniotomy. To master this procedure, doctors must undergo simulated practical training, sometimes under high stress. Current practical sessions often include models to simulate coniotomy that consists of the skin and the larynges with attached tracheae from butchered pigs, which are not always available, are expensive, and might be unsustainable to use. In this work, we present a reusable phantom larynx setup to facilitate a coniotomy procedure that is easier and cheaper. Our proposed setup comprises a 3D-printed polyurethane larynx with silicon rubber to simulate skin and accommodate multiple incisions. With this setup, we aim to provide visitors with an interactive and safe experience by performing the coniotomy procedure using a scalpel on the right spot and placing the ventilating tube.