Electrostatic Smoke Particle Removal in Surgical Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing smoke and particles during surgical procedures are inefficient, often allowing hazardous particles to permeate the operating theatre and obscure the surgeon's view, especially in laparoscopic procedures where filters are expensive and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A surgical apparatus using two electrodes connected to a high voltage DC source, with one electrode attached to the patient and the other positioned within or adjacent to the patient, ionizes particles to attract them towards the patient or the second electrode for removal, utilizing an electrically insulative shield to prevent contact and a pressurized cavity to prevent foreign matter accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vacuum filtration methods are used to remove smoke particles, then particle removal is attempted, but the filters are expensive and often ineffective, allowing particles to permeate into the operating theatre
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum filtration system with an electrostatic ionization system. Two electrodes generate a high voltage electric field that ionizes smoke particles, causing them to be attracted to and deposited on the electrodes or shield surfaces, eliminating the need for mechanical filters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and electrical properties of smoke particles by ionizing them through high voltage exposure. This transforms neutral particles into charged ions that can be manipulated and removed through electrostatic attraction rather than mechanical filtration
2Ease of operation
If smoke is removed by vacuum without effective filtration, then removal process is simple, but hazardous particles permeate into the operating theatre creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful smoke particles into beneficial charged ions through ionization. The same particles that were hazardous when neutral become easily controllable and removable when charged, allowing simple vacuum removal to become effective without complex filtration
3Reliability
If the second electrode is positioned within the patient without shielding, then particle ionization is effective, but electrical contact with the patient creates safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrically insulative shield as an intermediary between the second electrode and the patient. This shield allows the electrode to be positioned within or adjacent to the patient for effective ionization while preventing direct electrical contact, thus eliminating the safety hazard
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
Effectively reduces or removes smoke and particles by ionizing them and attracting them to the patient or the second electrode, improving visibility and safety during surgical procedures while avoiding the need for expensive filters.
Implementation Method 1
the two electrodes, when in communication with opposite poles of said high voltage, ionise said particles
Implementation Method 2
for attracting said particles toward the patient or toward the second of the electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is apparatus (100) for the reduction or removal of smoke particles suspended in a local atmosphere A and resulting from a surgical procedure, the apparatus including or comprising two electrodes (140) and (150) each in electrical communication with or being electrically connectable to opposite poles of a source of high voltage dc electricity. A first of the electrodes (140) may be electrically connectable to a patient P. and a second (150) may be positionable within or adjacent a patient such that the two electrodes, when in communication with opposite poles of said high voltage, ionise said particles in use, for attracting said particles toward the patient or toward the second of the electrodes.