Anesthesia Rebreathing Circuit with Adsorber Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reversing the effects of inhaled general anesthetics are inefficient, as they either prolong the recovery time due to rebreathing anesthetic agents or reduce carbon dioxide levels, leading to dependence on artificial ventilation and decreased blood flow.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system that incorporates a filter to remove anesthetic agents from exhaled gases and a rebreathing component to increase CO2 levels, allowing for rapid ventilation while maintaining normal CO2 levels in the blood, thereby accelerating the removal of anesthetic agents from the brain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional breathing circuits are used to administer general anesthesia, then the anesthetic agents can be delivered to the patient, but the recovery time is prolonged due to rebreathing of anesthetic agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful anesthetic agents from the exhaled gas stream using an adsorber component (activated charcoal filter) before the gas is rebreathed. This removes the harmful substance from the circulation loop, accelerating recovery while allowing controlled rebreathing of CO2-rich gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (activated charcoal adsorber) that selectively interacts with anesthetic agents in the exhaled gas. This mediator absorbs the harmful anesthetic components while allowing the beneficial CO2 to pass through, enabling selective rebreathing.
2Productivity
If hyperventilation is used to remove anesthetic agents, then the ventilation rate increases, but carbon dioxide levels decrease leading to dependence on artificial ventilation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the composition parameters of the inhaled gas by controlling the ratio of fresh gas to rebreathed gas. By adjusting this parameter, the system achieves high ventilation rates while maintaining adequate CO2 levels to support spontaneous breathing, avoiding the need for excessive artificial ventilation.
3Speed
If carbon dioxide levels are increased to accelerate anesthetic removal, then blood flow to the brain increases, but the patient may rebreathe anesthetic agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the breathing circuit into distinct functional zones: a fresh gas inlet, an adsorber section for anesthetic removal, a rebreathing chamber for CO2 accumulation, and a controlled release point. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of high CO2 levels for blood flow enhancement and effective anesthetic removal through the dedicated adsorber zone.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the rate of anesthetic agent removal from the brain and body, reducing recovery time, minimizing anesthetic agent rebreathing, and promoting earlier spontaneous breathing.
Implementation Method 1
It has long been known that activated charcoal and other substances can be used to selectively adsorb gaseous anesthetic agents.
Implementation Method 2
causing the individual to at least periodically breathe gases including an elevated fraction of CO2. This may be effected by causing the individual to rebreathe at least some of the gases that the individual has already exhaled
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for reversing inhaled anesthesia, which is configured to be positioned along a breathing circuit or anesthesia delivery circuit, includes a filter for removing one or more anesthetic agents from gases passing therethrough, as well as a component for elevating CO2 levels in gases that are to be inhaled by an individual. The apparatus is configured to be positioned between a Y-connector of the breathing circuit and the portion of the breathing circuit that interfaces with the individual. The CO2 level-elevating component facilitates an increase in the ventilation of the individual without resulting in a significant decrease in the individual's PaCO2 level and, thus, a decrease in the rate at which blood flows through the individual's brain. A method of reversing the effects of inhaled anesthesia includes increasing the rate of ventilation of an anesthetized individual while causing the individual to inhale gases with elevated amounts of CO2 and while filtering anesthetic agents from such gases.