Gas Recirculation System for Endoscopic Smoke Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Minimally invasive surgical procedures face challenges with surgical smoke and CO2 gas recirculation, which can impair visualization and pose health risks due to the presence of toxins, particulate matter, and condensation, leading to delays and safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A gas recirculation system comprising a pump with a detachable cartridge and tubes for fluid communication, utilizing a filter and moisture trap to remove contaminants and maintain humidity, allowing for the safe and efficient removal and injection of CO2 gas within the peritoneal cavity, thereby minimizing pressure changes and reducing the need for additional CO2 injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If CO2 gas is injected into the peritoneal cavity to distend the pneumoperitoneum, then visualization space is created, but surgical smoke accumulates and impairs visualization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepneumoperitoneum volumeVSAvoidsurgical smoke

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes surgical smoke from the pneumoperitoneum cavity through a separate exhaust port and smoke evacuation system, allowing the CO2 to remain for visualization while eliminating the harmful smoke particles that impair visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The insufflation and smoke removal functions are segmented into separate pathways: CO2 injection through an insufflation port and smoke evacuation through a dedicated exhaust port, allowing independent control of each function to maintain both pneumoperitoneum distension and clear visualization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If CO2 gas is recirculated to maintain pneumoperitoneum, then gas usage efficiency improves, but contaminants and moisture accumulate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas recirculation efficiencyVSAvoidgas purity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously recirculates and conditions the CO2 gas through a closed-loop system, maintaining constant purification and humidity control to ensure gas purity is preserved throughout the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system actively controls gas parameters including temperature, humidity, and purity through conditioning systems, transforming the recirculated gas to maintain optimal conditions despite continuous use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If CO2 gas is injected at below body temperature, then gas delivery is simplified, but condensation forms and impairs visualization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas delivery simplicityVSAvoidcondensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The CO2 gas is pre-heated to body temperature in a heating element before being injected into the peritoneal cavity, preventing condensation formation while maintaining simple gas delivery mechanics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes thermal conditioning to adjust the temperature of the CO2 gas, expanding or contracting thermal energy to match body temperature and prevent harmful condensation on optical surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

4Object-affected harmful factors

If surgical smoke is removed from the peritoneal cavity, then visualization improves, but peritoneal pressure may fluctuate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical smoke removalVSAvoidperitoneal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates pressure sensors and feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor peritoneal pressure and adjust the smoke removal rate to maintain stable pressure while effectively evacuating surgical smoke

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively removes surgical smoke and maintains adequate humidity, ensuring clear visualization and reducing health risks while minimizing CO2 discharge into the operating room, thus enhancing surgical safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The pump is configured to draw gas into the gas input connection from a peritoneal cavity through the first tube and to discharge gas out of the gas output connection and into a peritoneal cavity through the second tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS11583641B2Gas recirculation system and method

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 NORTHGATE TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Gas recirculation systems for use in endoscopic surgical procedures including a gas recirculation pump are disclosed. The gas recirculation pump may work in conjunction with an insufflator used to inflate a patient's peritoneal cavity during surgery. The gas recirculation system may recirculate a high flow rate of gas from and to the patient while filtering particulate matter out of the gas and while maintaining an adequate moisture content in the gas. The gas recirculation pump may include a disposable pump cartridge releasably connected to a pump motor. A controller may detect a fault or safety condition in the gas recirculation system based on the load placed on the pump motor.