Fail-Safe Insufflator Thermal Cutoff for Overheating Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insufflation gas conditioning systems in medical procedures face challenges in preventing overheating of insufflation gas due to potential failures in temperature control systems, which can lead to accidental injection of overheated gas into patients.

Innovation Solution

A fail-safe insufflator system that includes both an electrical shutdown mode and a mechanical shutdown mode, utilizing a thermal cutoff to interrupt power to the electrical heater in case of hostile temperature conditions, independent of electrical system failures, to prevent overheating of insufflation gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a temperature control system is used to heat insufflation gas, then the gas temperature can be maintained within safe limits, but the system may fail due to electrical faults leading to overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsufflation gas temperatureVSAvoidtemperature control system reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A thermal cutoff device is introduced as an intermediary mechanical safety component between the electrical heater and the insufflation gas. This thermal cutoff acts as a passive mediator that physically interrupts the heating process when temperature exceeds safe limits, independent of electrical control systems. The thermal cutoff translates thermal energy directly into mechanical action to close an electrical circuit, providing fail-safe protection against overheating even when electrical temperature control fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If heating and hydration control occurs immediately before patient entry, then gas cooling and condensation are minimized, but the risk of injecting overheated gas increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsufflation gas temperature stabilityVSAvoidoverheated gas injection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal cutoff device provides preliminary anti-action by pre-establishing a mechanical safety barrier against overheating before the gas can be injected into the patient. The thermal cutoff is positioned to interrupt heating in advance when temperature reaches dangerous levels, preventing the harmful condition of overheated gas injection rather than merely responding to it. This preliminary protective action occurs independently of electrical control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If electrical shutdown mode is used for temperature control, then the system can respond to temperature faults, but the response may be delayed or fail due to electrical system failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault response capabilityVSAvoidshutdown response time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces reliance on electrical control systems with a mechanical thermal cutoff system. Instead of using electrical sensors and control circuits to detect and respond to temperature faults, the thermal cutoff uses direct thermal-mechanical coupling where excessive heat physically causes the cutoff to close the electrical circuit and stop heating. This mechanical substitution eliminates delays associated with electrical signal processing and provides immediate, fail-safe response to overheating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 the safe prevention of overheated insufflation gas from entering the patient by providing a dual-mode shutdown mechanism that is responsive to temperature conditions proximate the heater, even in the event of electrical system failures, thereby maintaining patient safety.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanical shutdown of the electrical heater occurs in response to an excess temperature proximate the electrical heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal cutoff: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

an electrical insufflator heater in the event of a hostile temperature condition within the insufflator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10406301B2Fail-safe insufflators

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 LEXION MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

A fail-safe insufflation device having a thermal cutoff for interrupting power to an electrical heater to prevent overheating of insufflation gas wherein the thermal cutoff operates independent of a temperature control system to provide electrical shutdown of an electrical heater in response to a hostile temperature condition of the insufflation gas or a hostile temperature condition proximate the electrical heater.