tTNI

tTNI is a medical device that simplifies needle insertion during Fantoni translaryngeal tracheostomy, reduces complications for patients and zero possible damage to equipment (especially endoscopic optics), within the daily ICU activity.

The intuition to patent such an object happened in 2015, but without accessible, quick, simple and cheap tools to prototype it, it never developed into a project. Today, however, Dr. Alessandro Terrani's idea turned into a patent after co-designing and prototyping with OpenDot. The device’s later evolutions were tested on special dummies, followed by a cadaver testing phase funded by the University of Milano-Bicocca.

This project explains the potential of the Fab Lab as a place for experimentation and innovation production. What was impossible years ago has now materialised by using agile prototyping and real-time production of the necessary parts, accelerating the development phases. tTNI is a practical example of Fab Labs and hospital environments working together to ground insights and convert them into projects, research, patents or future medical products, fostering the spread of a cooperative, digital and creative mindset.  

tTNI was conceived by Dr. Alessandro Terrani, supported in the development and testing phases by Prof. Giuseppe Foti and Prof. Giacomo Bellani of the University of Milan Bicocca and Dr. Caterina Valcarenghi. The cadaver experimentation was carried out in Canada, in partnership with Prof. Emmanuel Charbonney, Prof. Paul Ouellet and Dr. Patrice Gosselin.

Read the full article on  “Intensive care medicine experimental”.