Medical Insufflator Pressure Sensor Switching Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling pressurization of a patient cavity during laparoscopic surgery using trocars often rely on pressure sensors that can provide inaccurate readings due to damage or interference, potentially leading to unsafe surgical conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that incorporates both a primary pressure sensor located near the patient cavity and a backup pressure sensor, allowing the insufflator to switch control based on accurate measurements from the backup sensor when the primary sensor's data appears faulty, ensuring continuous and safe pressure monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a primary pressure sensor is positioned near the patient cavity for accurate pressure measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential sensor damage or interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by implementing a backup pressure sensor before the primary sensor fails. The backup sensor is positioned remotely from the patient cavity to avoid damage, and the system proactively monitors both sensors to detect when the primary sensor becomes unreliable, switching to the backup sensor in advance of complete failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup pressure sensor acts as an intermediary solution when the primary sensor becomes unreliable. The system uses the backup sensor as a mediator to continue providing pressure measurements when the primary sensor is damaged or interfered with, ensuring continuous monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If a backup pressure sensor is added to the system, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backup pressure sensor serves multiple functions: it acts as a standby when the primary sensor is operational, provides continuous monitoring capability, and can take over when the primary sensor fails. The processor also performs multiple functions by monitoring both sensors and automatically switching between them based on reliability assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards readings from the primary sensor when they become unreliable due to damage or interference, and recovers by switching to use the backup sensor. This allows the system to discard faulty data while recovering continuous pressure monitoring capability through the backup sensor.
3Reliability
If pressure sensor failure occurs, then reliability deteriorates, but stopping the surgical procedure to measure pressure manually causes loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous pressure monitoring capability through the backup sensor. When the primary sensor fails, the backup sensor immediately takes over without interrupting the surgical procedure, allowing the useful action of pressure monitoring to continue uninterrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting sensor failure and switching to the backup sensor without requiring manual intervention. The processor continuously monitors sensor readings and autonomously determines when to switch from the primary to the backup sensor, eliminating the need for surgical interruption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises positioning a medical appliance having a primary pressure sensor at or within a patient incision site and supplying an insufflation fluid to the patient cavity. The method further comprises measuring a pressure in the patient cavity by the primary pressure sensor and controlling the supply of insufflation fluid by an insufflator to the patient cavity based at least on the measured pressure. The method further comprises determining, by a processor associated with the insufflator, that the measured pressure may be inaccurate and, in response to determining that the measured pressure may be inaccurate, controlling, by the insufflator, the supply of the insufflation fluid to the patient cavity based at least on a pressure measured by a backup pressure sensor.