Endoscopic Insufflation System Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic insufflation systems for gastrointestinal procedures lack precise control over gas flow, leading to inefficient use and waste of insufflating gases like carbon dioxide, and do not automatically adjust flow rates in response to pressure changes, resulting in suboptimal clinical outcomes and increased gas consumption.
Innovation Solution
A system with a controller and valve assembly that detects pressure levels within the endoscope lumen and adjusts the flow rate of insufflating gas from a bottled source, switching between a low 'sensing' flow rate for conservation and a high 'insufflating' flow rate based on user input and pressure thresholds, minimizing gas venting into the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous flow rate is supplied to the endoscope, then the distention function is maintained, but gas waste increases and conservation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system switches between two distinct flow rate states (low sensing flow rate and high insufflating flow rate) based on operational needs. The controller automatically transitions between these periodic states in response to pressure threshold detections, ensuring gas is supplied at high rates only when necessary for distention while using low rates for monitoring, thereby reducing overall gas waste while maintaining reliable distention function when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate of insufflating gas based on real-time pressure conditions within the endoscope lumen. The controller monitors pressure thresholds and automatically modulates the flow rate between low and high states, making the system adaptive to changing operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment ensures gas is conserved during monitoring phases while readily available when distention is needed.
2Ease of operation
If manual manipulation of control valve is used, then gas flow can be adjusted, but automation is lacking and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors pressure conditions within the endoscope lumen and automatically adjusts the flow rate of insufflating gas accordingly. Pressure sensors detect threshold levels and feed this information back to the controller, which then modulates the flow rate between low and high states without requiring manual intervention. This automated feedback loop eliminates the need for manual valve manipulation while maintaining precise control over gas delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of gas flow rates based on its own internal pressure measurements. The controller automatically detects when pressure thresholds are met and independently modulates the flow rate without external manual control. This self-service capability allows the system to autonomously optimize gas delivery, transitioning between sensing and insufflating modes based on real-time operational conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If high flow rate is maintained continuously, then sufficient gas is available for distention, but gas consumption increases and supply depletion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic alternation between low flow rate (sensing mode) and high flow rate (insufflating mode) based on detected pressure thresholds. During normal monitoring, gas is supplied at low rates to conserve supply, but automatically transitions to high rates when distention is required. This periodic action ensures sufficient gas availability during critical phases while minimizing overall consumption and delaying supply depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter dynamically based on operational conditions, switching between two discrete flow rate levels. The controller monitors pressure parameters and adjusts the flow rate parameter accordingly, using low flow rates during monitoring phases and high flow rates during insufflation phases. This parameter change strategy ensures adequate gas availability when needed while reducing overall consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and computer program product for controlling the supply of a distending media (such as an insufflating gas) from a distending media source (110) to an endoscopic device (130) so as to prevent the excess venting and/or waste of distending media is disclosed. More specifically it provides for the detection of a pressure level within a lumen (124) of an endoscopic device (130) and adjusts a supply parameter of the distending media based at least in part on the detected pressure level, and in some cases on the relationship between the detected pressure level and a user-defined threshold.