Surgical Evacuation Flow Paths With Diverter Valve Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical smoke evacuation systems face challenges in efficiently managing smoke and particulates generated during procedures, which can be harmful to healthcare workers and obstruct the surgical site, due to limitations in filtering and evacuation technologies.
Innovation Solution
A surgical evacuation system incorporating a pump, motor, and a flow path with a diverter valve and sensors to direct fluid through different filtering paths based on detected parameters, ensuring effective filtration and evacuation of smoke and particulates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single filtering path is used in surgical evacuation systems, then the device structure is simple, but the efficiency of smoke and particulate removal is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filtering system into multiple distinct filtering paths (first filtering path and second filtering path), each designed for different types of particulates. The diverter valve segments the fluid flow to direct it through appropriate filters based on particle size, enabling specialized filtration for each path while maintaining overall system efficiency without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple filtering paths are implemented, then the filtration efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diverter valve that dynamically switches between filtering paths based on real-time sensor feedback regarding particulate size. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its complexity only when needed, selecting the appropriate filtering path based on actual surgical conditions, thereby maintaining high filtration effectiveness while avoiding unnecessary structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect particulate characteristics and trigger the diverter valve to select the appropriate filtering path without manual intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures the most effective filtration is always applied while reducing the operational burden on users and maintaining system reliability.
3Productivity
If real-time sensor monitoring is added, then the evacuation efficiency is optimized, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sensors that continuously monitor particulate characteristics in the smoke stream and provide real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables the diverter valve to automatically adjust the filtering path selection based on actual conditions, optimizing evacuation efficiency dynamically while keeping the control logic relatively simple through rule-based decision-making.
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
The system enhances the efficiency of smoke evacuation by dynamically adjusting the filtration path based on real-time sensor data, improving air quality and reducing the risk of exposure to harmful substances for surgical teams.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is positioned along the flow path upstream of the pump. The sensor is configured to detect a parameter of the fluid moving through the flow path.
Implementation Method 2
A surgical evacuation system incorporates a pump, motor operably coupled to the pump, and a flow path fluidically coupled to the pump.
Implementation Method 3
The flow path comprises a first filtering path, a second filtering path, and a diverter valve movable between a first position and a second position. The control circuit is further configured to direct the fluid along the second filtering path when the parameter detected by the sensor exceeds the threshold parameter.
Data Source
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AI summary
Surgical systems can include evacuation systems for evacuating smoke, fluid, and/or particulates from a surgical site. A surgical evacuation system can be intelligent and may include one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties of the surgical system, evacuation system, surgical procedure, surgical site, and/or patient tissue, for example.