Aspiration Pump Flow Control for Followability and Vacuum Rise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aspiration systems face challenges in maintaining an optimal balance between followability and vacuum rise during surgical procedures, often resulting in inconsistent performance due to lag in pump rate adjustments and mismatch between expected and actual flow rates, particularly when dealing with occlusions and varying material restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system that adjusts the pump rate in real-time based on calculated real-time flow rates to achieve a target flow rate, using a control module to periodically determine inlet vacuum pressure and adjust the pump rate accordingly, incorporating a pump-specific aspiration flow rate function to maintain a desirable balance between followability and vacuum rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump rate is increased to generate enough followability, then the ability to attract material to the tip of the probe is improved, but excess aspiration causes turbulence that reduces followability and may damage the body part
Solution Approach 1:
The pump rate is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to adjust the pump rate in real-time based on actual flow rate feedback. The control module continuously monitors the actual flow rate and modifies the pump rate to maintain optimal followability while preventing excess aspiration that could cause turbulence or tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control module determines the actual flow rate based on the relationship between pump rate and measured vacuum pressure, then uses this information to adjust the pump rate. This closed-loop control ensures the pump rate is optimized for followability while preventing harmful excess aspiration.
2Speed
If the pump rate is increased to achieve faster vacuum rise, then the rate of vacuum increase upon occlusion is improved, but a higher-than-necessary pump rate results in excess aspiration that reduces followability
Solution Approach 1:
The pump rate is dynamically adjusted based on the actual flow rate determined from vacuum pressure measurements. During occlusion events, the system can increase the pump rate to achieve faster vacuum rise, then reduce it to maintain optimal followability, creating a dynamic response that balances both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pump rate parameter in response to detected conditions. By monitoring the relationship between pump rate and vacuum pressure to determine actual flow rate, the system can adjust the pump rate parameter to achieve appropriate vacuum rise during occlusion while maintaining optimal followability during normal operation.
3Device complexity
If a discrete threshold-based occlusion onset detection mechanism is used, then occlusion detection is simplified, but the system experiences lag before engaging to increase pump rate, resulting in undesirable performance
Solution Approach 1:
The control module continuously determines actual flow rate based on vacuum pressure measurements and adjusts pump rate in real-time. This continuous feedback mechanism eliminates the lag associated with discrete threshold-based detection, as the system is constantly monitoring and responding to changes in flow conditions without waiting for threshold triggers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring of vacuum pressure and continuous adjustment of pump rate based on actual flow rate determination. This continuous action eliminates interruptions and delays inherent in discrete threshold-based systems, ensuring the pump rate is always optimized for current operating conditions.
4Ease of operation
If a fixed pump rate is used throughout the aspiration operation, then the system operation is simplified, but the system either does not provide enough followability or enough vacuum rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed pump rate to a dynamic pump rate that is continuously adjusted based on actual flow rate determination. The control module modifies the pump rate in real-time based on the relationship between pump rate and vacuum pressure, ensuring optimal performance for both followability and vacuum rise while maintaining relatively simple operation through automated control.
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 consistency and efficiency of aspiration by reducing delays in pump rate adjustments, ensuring a stable and constant flow rate, thereby improving surgical performance and minimizing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
the surgical system comprises an aspiration pump (e.g., peristaltic pump) that operates to create suction or vacuum at the tip of the probe in order to aspirate the material out of the body part
Implementation Method 2
determine a real-time flow rate through the probe and adjust a current pump rate of the pump
Implementation Method 3
an aspiration pump (e.g., peristaltic pump)
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a surgical system comprising a pump motor configured to couple to a pump for pumping material through a probe, wherein the probe is connected to the pump through a connector. The surgical system also comprises a control module configured to determine a real-time flow rate through the probe and adjust a current pump rate of the pump to achieve a target flow rate, wherein the current pump rate is adjusted based on the real-time flow rate.