Heater-Based Gas Delivery Control for Procedure-Specific Humidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas delivery systems for medical procedures face challenges in accurately determining the type of procedure being performed, leading to potential user errors and patient harm due to inappropriate gas flow rates and humidity levels, and are prone to issues like gas or humidifier liquid depletion without external sensing probes, which are costly and difficult to use correctly.
Innovation Solution
A system that automatically adjusts gas flow and humidity based on internal heater monitoring, using power duty cycle and current draw to distinguish between open and closed medical procedures, and detects gas flow, liquid levels, and system connectivity, minimizing the need for external probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external sensing probes (temperature probe and flow probe) are used to control gas flow rate and humidity, then the system can match the type of medical procedure or use, but the system becomes expensive, difficult to connect, and requires additional components that need sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from external probes and integrates it into the existing heater component. The heater's electrical characteristics (current draw, power consumption) are monitored to detect procedure type, eliminating the need for separate temperature and flow probes. This reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater serves dual functions: its primary heating function and its secondary function as a sensing element. By monitoring the heater's electrical characteristics, the system can detect both temperature conditions and flow rates, making the heater a multi-functional component that replaces multiple specialized probes.
2Ease of operation
If external sensing probes are used to detect procedure type, then gas flow rate and humidity can be controlled appropriately, but the probes are costly and difficult to use correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the heater's own electrical characteristics to detect procedure type, eliminating the need for separate sensing probes. The controller automatically monitors current draw and power consumption to determine whether an open or closed procedure is being performed, making the system easier to operate without requiring precise probe connection.
3Reliability
If a humidifier uses a relatively high flow rate of gas for open type surgical procedures, then sufficient humidity can be maintained, but a relatively high volume of liquid is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the humidification liquid flow rate based on the detected procedure type. For open procedures requiring high gas flow, the system increases liquid flow to maintain humidity. For closed procedures with lower gas flow, the system reduces liquid flow accordingly, optimizing humidity effectiveness while minimizing liquid consumption.
4Productivity
If the system delivers high flow rate gas for open procedures, then adequate gas supply is provided, but the volume of liquid required to maintain moisture content increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the humidification liquid flow rate parameter based on the gas flow rate and procedure type. When high gas flow is required for open procedures, the liquid flow rate is increased proportionally to maintain appropriate humidity levels. When lower gas flow is used for closed procedures, the liquid flow rate is reduced, optimizing the ratio of gas to liquid delivery.
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 safe and appropriate gas delivery by automatically adapting to different medical procedures, preventing user errors, and efficiently managing gas flow and humidity levels, while reducing costs and complexity by eliminating the need for external sensing probes.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured to heat at least one of the gas and a humidification liquid contained in a humidification chamber
Implementation Method 2
The controller(21) may be arranged to monitor an electrical characteristic of the one or more heaters
Data Source
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AI summary
A system is provided for delivering gas to a patient during a medical procedure. The system comprises a heater arranged to heat at least one of the gas and a humidification liquid. The system comprises a controller arranged to control the system according to a first mode during delivery of a first flow rate of gas and a second mode during delivery of a second flow rate of gas. The controller monitors an electrical characteristic of the heater to select the mode of operation and/or to determine an operating state of the system.