Heated Gas Insufflation System with Recirculation Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heated gas insufflation systems for medical procedures face challenges in maintaining a precise and constant gas temperature at the patient's cavity due to temperature loss in the supply duct and fluctuations in gas flow, leading to inconsistent heating.
Innovation Solution
A system with a recirculating gas circuit that includes a disposable supply duct and a return duct connected near the patient's cavity, a storage reservoir, and temperature sensors, allowing for continuous circulation and precise temperature control, along with safety valves to prevent contamination and overpressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the gas flow is increased to meet high flow demands during procedures, then the productivity of the insufflation system is improved, but the temperature stability of the gas at the patient's cavity deteriorates due to cooling in the supply duct
Solution Approach 1:
The return duct is nested within or alongside the supply duct, creating a counter-flow heat exchange arrangement where the hot returning gas heats the outgoing gas, minimizing temperature loss even during high flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous circulation of gas through the recirculating circuit, ensuring that the gas is constantly reheated in the heater as it returns, maintaining temperature stability regardless of flow rate variations
2Temperature
If the heater setting is increased to compensate for temperature loss in the duct, then the temperature at the patient's cavity is improved, but the energy consumption increases and the system becomes less adaptable to flow changes
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor is positioned at the end of the supply duct to detect the actual temperature of the gas at the patient's cavity, and this information feeds back to the control unit which automatically adjusts the heater setting to maintain the desired temperature despite flow rate changes
Solution Approach 2:
The heater setting is made dynamic and adjustable in real-time based on the detected temperature and flow rate conditions, allowing the system to adapt continuously rather than using a fixed high setting
3Measurement precision
If a heater is placed outside the insufflator near the patient's cavity, then the temperature precision is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of regulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The return duct and heating circuit are merged with the existing insufflator system, integrating the temperature control function into the gas delivery pathway without requiring separate complex external heating equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The returning gas itself acts as an intermediary heat transfer medium, carrying thermal energy from the heater back to the outgoing gas, eliminating the need for complex direct heating mechanisms at the patient interface
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
Ensures a stable and consistent gas temperature at the patient's cavity, independent of gas flow fluctuations, and maintains a heated gas reserve for high flow demands, reducing temperature variations and enhancing heating precision.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable heater for the gas to be supplied
Implementation Method 2
a return duct for the gas, connected to the supply duct in an area near the end intended to be introduced in a patient's cavity and to an inlet of the heater, the gas supply duct and the gas return duct forming a continuous circulation circuit for the heated gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a system that includes: a insufflator (1) provided with a gas inlet (2), a valve (3) that regulates the flow to be supplied, an adjustable heater (4) for the gas to be supplied, a sensor (5) that detects the temperature of the heated gas, an outlet (6) for supplying the gas, and means (7) for propelling the gas toward the supply outlet (6); a disposable supply duct (8) that can be coupled to the gas outlet (6) for the insufflator (6) in order to convey the heated gas into the patient; and a return duct (9) for the gas, connected to a distal area of the supply duct (8) and to an inlet of the heater (4), wherein the gas supply duct (8) and the gas return duct (9) form a continuous recirculation circuit for heated gas.