Designing a Finite Element Model to Determine the Different Fixation Positions of Tracheal Catheters in the Oral Cavity for Minimizing the Risk of Oral Mucosal Pressure Injury: Comparison Study

Abstract BackgroundDespite being an important life-saving medical device to ensure smooth breathing in critically ill patients, the tracheal tube causes damage to the oral mucosa of patients during use, which increases not only the pain but also the risk of infection....

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Main Authors: Zhiwei Wang, Zhenghui Dong, Xiaoyan He, ZhenZhen Tao, Jinfang QI, Yatian Zhang, Xian Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-07-01
Series:JMIR Bioinformatics and Biotechnology
Online Access:https://bioinform.jmir.org/2025/1/e69298
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author Zhiwei Wang
Zhenghui Dong
Xiaoyan He
ZhenZhen Tao
Jinfang QI
Yatian Zhang
Xian Ma
author_facet Zhiwei Wang
Zhenghui Dong
Xiaoyan He
ZhenZhen Tao
Jinfang QI
Yatian Zhang
Xian Ma
author_sort Zhiwei Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract BackgroundDespite being an important life-saving medical device to ensure smooth breathing in critically ill patients, the tracheal tube causes damage to the oral mucosa of patients during use, which increases not only the pain but also the risk of infection. ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish finite element models for different fixation positions of tracheal catheters in the oral cavity to identify the optimal fixation position that minimizes the risk of oral mucosal pressure injury. MethodsComputed tomography data of the head and face from healthy male subjects were selected, and a 3D finite element model was created using Mimics 21 and Geomagic Wrap 2021 software. A pressure sensor was used to measure the actual pressure exerted by the oral soft tissue on the upper and lower lips, as well as the left and right mouth corners of the tracheal catheter. The generated model was imported into Ansys Workbench 22.0 software, where all materials were assigned appropriate values, and boundary conditions were established. Vertical loads of 2.6 N and 3.43 N were applied to the upper and lower lips, while horizontal loads of 1.76 N and 1.82 N were applied to the left and right corners of the mouth, respectively, to observe the stress distribution characteristics of the skin, mucosa, and muscle tissue in four fixation areas. ResultsThe mean (SD) equivalent stress and shear stress of the skin and mucosal tissues were the lowest in the left mouth corner [, respectively) and progressively increased in the right mouth corner [ and [ upper lip [, and lower lip (41.79 [0.48] kPa and 10.02 [0.44] kPa, respectively; PPP ConclusionsFixation of the tracheal catheter at the left and right oral corners results in the lowest equivalent and shear stresses, while the lower lip exhibited the highest stresses. We recommend minimizing the contact time and area of the lower lip during tracheal catheter fixation, and to alternately replace the contact area at the left and right oral corners to prevent oral mucosal pressure injuries.
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spelling doaj-art-2be114b705494eda814fc3a96e5c3ff42025-08-20T02:40:55ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Bioinformatics and Biotechnology2563-35702025-07-016e69298e6929810.2196/69298Designing a Finite Element Model to Determine the Different Fixation Positions of Tracheal Catheters in the Oral Cavity for Minimizing the Risk of Oral Mucosal Pressure Injury: Comparison StudyZhiwei Wanghttp://orcid.org/0009-0001-4939-2178Zhenghui Donghttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-0061-2846Xiaoyan Hehttp://orcid.org/0009-0002-9153-8967ZhenZhen Taohttp://orcid.org/0009-0003-9440-7273Jinfang QIhttp://orcid.org/0009-0008-4089-8827Yatian Zhanghttp://orcid.org/0009-0007-3702-5702Xian Mahttp://orcid.org/0009-0006-6139-077X Abstract BackgroundDespite being an important life-saving medical device to ensure smooth breathing in critically ill patients, the tracheal tube causes damage to the oral mucosa of patients during use, which increases not only the pain but also the risk of infection. ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish finite element models for different fixation positions of tracheal catheters in the oral cavity to identify the optimal fixation position that minimizes the risk of oral mucosal pressure injury. MethodsComputed tomography data of the head and face from healthy male subjects were selected, and a 3D finite element model was created using Mimics 21 and Geomagic Wrap 2021 software. A pressure sensor was used to measure the actual pressure exerted by the oral soft tissue on the upper and lower lips, as well as the left and right mouth corners of the tracheal catheter. The generated model was imported into Ansys Workbench 22.0 software, where all materials were assigned appropriate values, and boundary conditions were established. Vertical loads of 2.6 N and 3.43 N were applied to the upper and lower lips, while horizontal loads of 1.76 N and 1.82 N were applied to the left and right corners of the mouth, respectively, to observe the stress distribution characteristics of the skin, mucosa, and muscle tissue in four fixation areas. ResultsThe mean (SD) equivalent stress and shear stress of the skin and mucosal tissues were the lowest in the left mouth corner [, respectively) and progressively increased in the right mouth corner [ and [ upper lip [, and lower lip (41.79 [0.48] kPa and 10.02 [0.44] kPa, respectively; PPP ConclusionsFixation of the tracheal catheter at the left and right oral corners results in the lowest equivalent and shear stresses, while the lower lip exhibited the highest stresses. We recommend minimizing the contact time and area of the lower lip during tracheal catheter fixation, and to alternately replace the contact area at the left and right oral corners to prevent oral mucosal pressure injuries.https://bioinform.jmir.org/2025/1/e69298
spellingShingle Zhiwei Wang
Zhenghui Dong
Xiaoyan He
ZhenZhen Tao
Jinfang QI
Yatian Zhang
Xian Ma
Designing a Finite Element Model to Determine the Different Fixation Positions of Tracheal Catheters in the Oral Cavity for Minimizing the Risk of Oral Mucosal Pressure Injury: Comparison Study
JMIR Bioinformatics and Biotechnology
title Designing a Finite Element Model to Determine the Different Fixation Positions of Tracheal Catheters in the Oral Cavity for Minimizing the Risk of Oral Mucosal Pressure Injury: Comparison Study
title_full Designing a Finite Element Model to Determine the Different Fixation Positions of Tracheal Catheters in the Oral Cavity for Minimizing the Risk of Oral Mucosal Pressure Injury: Comparison Study
title_fullStr Designing a Finite Element Model to Determine the Different Fixation Positions of Tracheal Catheters in the Oral Cavity for Minimizing the Risk of Oral Mucosal Pressure Injury: Comparison Study
title_full_unstemmed Designing a Finite Element Model to Determine the Different Fixation Positions of Tracheal Catheters in the Oral Cavity for Minimizing the Risk of Oral Mucosal Pressure Injury: Comparison Study
title_short Designing a Finite Element Model to Determine the Different Fixation Positions of Tracheal Catheters in the Oral Cavity for Minimizing the Risk of Oral Mucosal Pressure Injury: Comparison Study
title_sort designing a finite element model to determine the different fixation positions of tracheal catheters in the oral cavity for minimizing the risk of oral mucosal pressure injury comparison study
url https://bioinform.jmir.org/2025/1/e69298
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