Endoscopic Gas Supply Control for CO2 Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing laparoscopic surgery systems wastefully consume carbon dioxide gas used for observing luminal cavities, as the gas is continuously supplied even when not needed, and there is a risk of continuous consumption due to forgotten power switches.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic system with a gas supply apparatus that includes a determination device to assess the need for gas supply and a control unit to selectively and automatically permit or stop gas supply, ensuring gas is only used during observation and not during non-observing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon dioxide gas is continuously supplied to the luminal cavity via the ECR, then the observation gas is always available for endoscopic procedures, but carbon dioxide gas is wasted during non-observing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a determination device that continuously monitors whether gas supply is actually needed based on system state, and feeds this information back to the control unit which adjusts gas supply accordingly. This feedback mechanism eliminates wasteful continuous supply while ensuring gas is available when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas supply system automatically determines and adjusts its own operation state based on system conditions without requiring manual intervention. The determination device and control unit work together to make the system self-regulating, switching between supply and interruptive states autonomously.
2Ease of operation
If the ECR is left powered on after operation, then the device is ready for immediate use, but carbon dioxide gas continues to be consumed uselessly
Solution Approach 1:
The determination device monitors operational status and provides feedback to automatically control gas supply. When the system detects that observation is not actively occurring, it interrupts gas supply even if the power remains on, preventing wasteful consumption while maintaining electrical readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas supply state dynamically adjusts based on real-time system conditions rather than remaining static. The control unit switches between supply and interruptive states according to whether observation is actively needed, making the system adaptive to operational requirements.
3Device complexity
If a simple gas supply system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but automatic control to prevent gas waste cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The determination device and control unit are integrated into the existing ECR system, allowing these components to serve multiple functions: monitoring system state, determining gas supply needs, and automatically controlling the gas supply. This multi-functionality adds automation without requiring entirely separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic system includes an endoscope having a delivery member available to supply a body cavity of a specimen and, in addition thereto, a gas supply apparatus from which predetermined gas is supplied to a body cavity via a delivery member. The endoscopic system further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not there is a status in which, the gas supply device needs to supply gas to the body cavity, and a control unit that selectively and automatically control a permit and stop for the gas supply to be implemented by the gas supply apparatus depending on a determined result of the determination unit, which are formed in a unitary structure with, for instance, the gas supply unit.