Insufflation Tube Capacitive Humidity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laparoscopic insufflation devices face challenges in accurately measuring the humidity of humidifying materials without the need for additional sensors, which complicates the design, reduces gas flow rate, and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An insufflation tube with integrated heating element and humidification material measures humidity by using a capacitor design where the permittivity of the humidifying material is determined through impedance changes, eliminating the need for additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a humidity sensor is incorporated into the gas channel to determine gas humidity, then the humidity measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases and the gas flow rate decreases due to flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating element and humidity measurement function into a single integrated structure. The heating element serves dual purposes: heating the gas and acting as one electrode of the capacitor for humidity measurement. This eliminates the need for separate humidity sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it heats the insufflation gas to prevent cooling and pain, and serves as an electrode for capacitive humidity sensing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while achieving both thermal regulation and humidity monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If a humidity sensor is incorporated into the gas channel to determine gas humidity, then the humidity measurement capability is improved, but the gas flow rate decreases due to flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating element and humidity measurement function into a single integrated structure. The heating element serves dual purposes: heating the gas and acting as one electrode of the capacitor for humidity measurement. This eliminates the need for separate humidity sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors are used to measure humidity, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it heats the insufflation gas to prevent cooling and pain, and serves as an electrode for capacitive humidity sensing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while achieving both thermal regulation and humidity monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element serves itself by also functioning as a sensor electrode. The same component that performs heating automatically provides the capacitive measurement function, eliminating the need for separate sensing components and reducing overall system cost.
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
Accurately measures the humidity of the humidifying material without additional sensors, maintaining gas flow rate and reducing costs, while providing a reliable refill alarm based on the water content of the material.
Implementation Method 1
insufflation tube with integrated heating element
Implementation Method 2
humidifying material formed as a braided tube
Implementation Method 3
a design of the heating hose analogous to a capacitor... measuring the humidity of a humidifying material without the need for additional sensors
Implementation Method 4
the permittivity of the humidifying material is determined through impedance changes
Implementation Method 5
The purpose of warming the gas is to prevent the patient from cooling down... The humidification serves to prevent the inner abdominal surfaces from drying out
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an insufflator comprising an insufflation tube with an integrated heating element and humidifying material for laparoscopy, according to which it is possible to measure the moisture content. No separate moisture sensor is required to measure the moisture content of the humidifying material. Components can be used which are already part of the insufflation tube, particularly connection wires for heating elements or temperature sensors.