Endoscopic Sheath Pressure Control for Renal Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current percutaneous kidney stone surgery techniques face challenges in controlling fluid pressure, leading to issues such as excessive bleeding, impaired visibility, and increased risk of infection due to open systems, which can result in longer surgical times and less optimal outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an endoscope and sheath with integrated pressure sensors and electronic processors that control fluid flow through inflow and outflow ports based on pressure measurements, allowing for closed system operation, fluid conservation, and optimized visualization by adjusting irrigation rates automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional open system percutaneous endoscopic procedures are used, then access into the kidney can be achieved, but fluid pressure cannot be controlled leading to excessive bleeding and impaired visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor fluid pressure within the renal collecting system and feed this information back to a control unit. The control unit automatically adjusts the flow rate of irrigation fluid through the endoscope based on real-time pressure readings, maintaining optimal pressure to prevent excessive bleeding while ensuring adequate visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-regulation of fluid pressure through automated control. The pressure sensor and control unit work together to automatically adjust irrigation flow without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to maintain optimal pressure conditions independently and prevent harmful effects like excessive bleeding.
2Reliability
If conventional open system procedures are used, then surgical access is achieved, but the risk of infection increases due to open systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a flexible endoscope with a sterile barrier that creates a closed loop between the surgical site and the external environment. This flexible membrane barrier maintains the integrity of the surgical field while allowing controlled fluid exchange, thereby reducing infection risk compared to open systems while preserving surgical access capability.
3Productivity
If conventional procedures without pressure control are used, then surgical procedures can be performed, but surgical times are longer and outcomes are less optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous optimal pressure control throughout the surgical procedure through real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment. This continuous control ensures consistent visualization quality and hemostasis without interruptions, thereby reducing overall surgical time while improving outcomes compared to conventional procedures with intermittent or manual pressure management.
4Illumination intensity
If irrigation fluid flow is increased to improve visualization, then visibility improves, but pressure increases causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor continuously monitors fluid pressure and provides feedback to the control unit. When pressure reaches levels that may cause harmful effects, the control unit automatically reduces the irrigation flow rate, preventing excessive pressure while maintaining sufficient flow for adequate visualization of the surgical field.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts irrigation flow rates based on real-time pressure conditions rather than maintaining a fixed flow rate. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize visualization by increasing flow when needed while automatically reducing flow to prevent harmful pressure effects, adapting to changing surgical conditions throughout the procedure.
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 solution reduces blood loss, improves visualization, and decreases the risk of infection by maintaining optimal pressure within the renal collecting system, thereby shortening surgical times and enhancing surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure sensor can generate a pressure measurement
Implementation Method 2
the processor can be configured to increase flow of an irrigant through the inflow port when the pressure measurement is less than the desired pressure value
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling pressure during percutaneous and endoscopic surgeries, including percutaneous renal procedures, endoscopic uterine procedures, transurethral endoscopic procedures for the bladder or prostate, or any percutaneous or endoscopic procedure. The system can include a sheath and/or endoscope each having an inflow port providing access to an inflow channel extending from the inflow port to a distal portion of the sheath, and an outflow port providing access to an outflow channel extending from the outflow port to the distal portion of the sheath. The sheath can also include a pressure sensor configured to generate a pressure measurement, and an electronic processor configured to control fluid through at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port based on the pressure measurement.