Insufflator Controller Synchronizing Gas Flow with Breathing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insufflation methods for minimal access surgery, which involve inflating carbon dioxide gas into the body cavity, lead to increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, barotrauma to the lungs, and require high ventilation pressures due to static gas volume and infrequent pressure adjustments, making it difficult to maintain a stable surgical working space.
Innovation Solution
A computer-controlled insufflator system that adjusts insufflation rate and volume in real-time based on lung ventilation characteristics, synchronizing with ventilator settings to reduce pressure strain on the lungs and stabilize the surgical working space, similar to an 'iron lung' ventilation method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If carbon dioxide gas is insufflated into the body cavity to create working space, then the surgical field is exposed and endoscopic procedures become possible, but carbon dioxide levels in the blood increase and barotrauma to the lungs occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The insufflator transitions from static pressure maintenance to dynamic pressure adaptation, continuously adjusting insufflation parameters in real-time based on respiratory cycle detection to minimize harmful effects while maintaining surgical working space
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates respiratory cycle detection through pressure sensors and flow sensors that provide feedback to the controller, enabling the insufflator to synchronize gas delivery with patient breathing patterns and reduce carbon dioxide uptake
2Stability of the object's composition
If a static volume of carbon dioxide gas is insufflated to maintain constant pressure, then the surgical working space is stable, but high ventilation pressures are required and lung damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The insufflator implements periodic adjustment of gas volume and pressure synchronized with the respiratory cycle, reducing gas volume during inspiration and maintaining or increasing it during expiration, thereby preventing barotrauma while preserving working space stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes physical parameters (pressure, volume, flow rate) of the insufflated gas based on detected respiratory phase, transitioning from constant pressure maintenance to adaptive parameter modulation to reduce lung injury
3Area of stationary object
If carbon dioxide insufflation is performed at high pressure to maintain surgical space, then the working area is adequately exposed, but the required ventilation pressures increase causing lung injury
Solution Approach 1:
The insufflator dynamically adjusts pressure levels in phase with respiratory cycles, lowering pressure during inspiration when lungs are expanding and optimizing pressure during expiration, thereby maintaining surgical field exposure while reducing peak ventilation pressures
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed intended to expose a structure within a cavity of the human body for therapeutic and/or surgical treatment. The apparatus comprises an insufflator, comprising a gas output and an insufflator input mechanism adapted to input the gas from the gas output into the cavity of the human body, further comprising an insufflator controller for enlarging the cavity part by insufflation of gas from the gas output into the cavity; and a breathing rate detector; wherein the insufflator controller is arranged to real time adapt an insufflation frequency rate and flow in accordance with a detected or set breathing rate of the human body.