Flow pressure controlled bronchoalveolar lavage tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow pressure controlled bronchoalveolar lavage tool.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] FLOW PRESSURE CONTROLLED BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE TOOL

[0003] Technical Field of the Invention

[0004] The invention relates to a flow pressure controlled bronchoalveolar lavage tool.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] A Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) tool is a medical device used to take a sample of fluid from the lung parenchyma and alveoli. BAL is generally used for the study and, in some cases, the treatment of lung diseases. The BAL tool collects samples from the lung tissue by injecting and withdrawing fluid into a patient's airways in a controlled manner during the bronchoscopy procedure.

[0007] In the diagnosis of many lung diseases, bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are often required. However, in some cases, collapse in the airways, usually due to patient-related reasons, makes it difficult to retrieve sufficient material. In addition, the negative pressure applied to the injector in this manual process can lead to the lysis of the collected cells. In order to eliminate these problems, it is important to develop a tool that offers a more controlled and efficient solution. Such a tool will ensure the standardization of the manual process, making it more reliable and effective.

[0008] Today, the BAL process is done entirely manually; however, in some patients, premature collapse of the airways prevents the retrieval of sufficient material. It has been evaluated that a system that automatically monitors the negative pressure during the withdrawal of the BAL fluid and reduces this pressure at a point where the airway collapse begins can increase the amount of BAL taken. In addition, the high negative pressure applied to the injector during the manual process can lead to the lysis of the collected cells and the resulting insufficient number of cells obtained.

[0009] Although there are guidelines for the BAL procedure in the state of the art, in practice there are different practices regarding how long and under what pressure the lavage fluid should be given and retrieved. Developing a tool to standardize this process will improve the accuracy of the process, resulting in more reliable and consistent results.

[0010] Summary and Objectives of the Invention

[0011] The invention relates to a flow pressure controlled bronchoalveolar lavage tool.

[0012] An object of the invention is to ensure the negative pressure generated during the retrieval of the BAL fluid to be continuously monitored by a pressure gauge. In this way, as soon as airway collapse occurs, the system will automatically reduce the pressure and help resolve the collapse, so that the amount of fluid retrieved can increase.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to prevent the formation of harmful pressure fluctuations caused by manual application that will cause cell lysis-fragmentation by setting the pressure gauge limits automatically and within certain limits.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to enable the standardization of the application of the manually performed BAL procedure.

[0015] Description of the Drawings

[0016] Fig. 1 is a view of the tool according to the invention.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a view of the tool according to the invention.

[0018] Description of the References in the Figures

[0019] 1. Motor

[0020] 2. Motor connection cable

[0021] 3. Electronic control unit

[0022] 4. Flow sensor connection cable 5. Pressure sensor connection cable

[0023] 6. Pressure sensor

[0024] 7. Injector

[0025] 8. Flow sensor

[0026] 9. Bronchoscope

[0027] 10. Transport channel

[0028] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0029] The invention relates to a flow pressure controlled bronchoalveolar lavage tool.

[0030] The invention comprises a motor (1), a motor connection cable (2), an electronic control unit (3), a flow sensor connection cable (4), a pressure sensor connection cable (5), a pressure sensor (6), an injector (7), a flow sensor (8), a bronchoscope (9), and a transport channel (10).

[0031] The motor (1) pushes a piston of the injector (7) through the transport channel (10) and ensures that the phylogical saline solution in the injector (7) is transmitted to the bronchoscope (9) and then, to the lungs. When the motor (1 ) sends all the PSS in the injector (7) to the system, it starts to a reverse movement and the PSS transmitted to the lungs begins to be sucked back into the injector (7). The electronic control unit (3) detects when all the PSS in the injector (7) has been delivered to the system based on information received from the flow sensor. The motor (1) is connected to the electronic control unit (3) via a motor connection cable (2). The motor (1) is connected to the injector (7) via a transport channel (10).

[0032] The electronic control unit (3) communicates with the motor (1), the flow sensor (8) and the pressure sensor (6). The electronic control unit (3) is connected to the flow sensor (8) via the flow sensor connection cable (4) and to the pressure sensor (6) via the pressure sensor connection cable (5). The electronic control unit (3) receives flow information from the flow sensor (8) and reduces the suction pressure of the motor (1 ) when the flow decreases, until the flow is restarted. The electronic control unit (3) gradually reduces the pressure by 1 -20% by receiving information from the pressure sensor (6) in order to prevent it from exceeding the specified values, thereby preventing airway collapse and ensuring the continuous flow of fluid from the bronchi.

[0033] The pressure sensor (6) measures the pressure value in the injector (7).

[0034] The injector (7) carries the physiological saline solution to be delivered to and withdrawn from a patient's lung.

[0035] The flow sensor (8) is located on the bronchoscope to control the flow of fluid leaving the injector (7) and returning thereto.

[0036] The bronchoscope (9) and injector (7) facilitate the transport of fluid between the patient and the tool.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the physiological saline solution (PSS) is delivered to the bronchoscope (9) and then to the lungs via the physiological saline solution (PSS) connection channel within the injector (7), by means of the injector (7) piston which is pushed forward by the electric motor (1). When all the PSS in the injector (7) is sent to the patient, the motor (1) starts to move back and the PSS delivered to the lungs begins to be sucked back into the injector (7).

[0038] During reabsorption, the flow sensor (8) controls the flow of fluid returning to the injector (7). When the flow decreases or stops completely (a flow stoppage usually means that the airways in the lungs have collapsed due to the high negative pressure applied), the motor (1) suction pressure is reduced by the electronic control unit (3) until the flow resumes. This allows for the reabsorption of 20% and 90% of the administered fluid.

[0039] Additionally, during the administration and reabsorption of the PSS into the system, pressure exceeding the specified limits is prevented, ensuring minimal cell lysis.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A bronchoalveolar lavage tool, characterized in that it comprises:- at least one injector (7) carrying the physiological saline solution to be delivered to and withdrawn from a patient's lung,- at least one pressure sensor (6) measuring the pressure value in the injector (7),- at least one flow sensor (8) located on the bronchoscope to control the flow of fluid leaving the injector (7) and returning thereto,- at least one bronchoscope (9) that facilitates the transport of fluid between the injector (7) and the patient,- at least one motor (1) that pushes a piston of the injector (7) through a transport channel (10) and ensures that the physiological saline solution in the injector (7) is transmitted to the bronchoscope (9) and then, to the lungs and that allows, when all physiological saline solution in the injector (7) is sent to the system, the physiological saline solution transmitted to the lungs to be sucked back into the injector (7) by not starting a reverse movement,- at least one electronic control unit (3) in communication with the motor (1 ), flow sensor (8) and pressure sensor (6), which reduces the motor (1) suction pressure when the flow decreases until the flow resumes by receiving flow information from the flow sensor (8), wherein the electronic control unit prevents the pressure to rise above the specified values by being gradually reduced as a result of obtaining information from the pressure sensor (6), thereby preventing airway collapse and ensuring the continuous flow of fluid from the bronchi.

2. A bronchoalveolar lavage tool in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a motor (1 ) connected to the electronic control unit (3) by a motor connection cable (2).

3. A bronchoalveolar lavage tool in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a motor (1) connected to the injector (7) by a transport channel (10).

4. A bronchoalveolar lavage tool in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one electronic control unit (3) that detects that all physiological saline solution in the injector (7) has been sent through the data from the flow sensor.

5. A bronchoalveolar lavage tool in accordance with claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises an electronic control unit (3) that allows the pressure to gradually decrease between 1% and 20% values and rise above the specified values.

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