Insufflator UV Sterilization for Gas Flow Path Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insufflation devices face challenges in preventing cross-contamination of patients due to the inability to effectively sterilize the gas flow path, leading to potential contamination and increased repair costs from entry of body fluids.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of ultraviolet (UV) light sources within the gas flow piping, either through transparent materials that allow UV radiation to sterilize the interior or reflective coatings/sheaths in opaque piping to ensure thorough sterilization of the flow path, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and extending the life of disposable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is provided in the tubing to reduce cross-contamination, then the possibility of cross-contamination is reduced, but the filter and tubing must be disposable increasing cost and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sterilization function from the disposable tube set and places it in the reusable insufflator unit. By providing a UV light source in the gas flow path within the insufflator, the sterilization capability is separated from the single-use components, allowing the filter and tubing to be reused after sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV light source performs preliminary sterilization of the gas flow path, filter, and tubing between uses. This preliminary action eliminates contaminants before the next surgical procedure, enabling the reuse of components that would otherwise need to be discarded.
2Reliability
If the entire tube set including filter is made disposable, then cross-contamination is prevented, but repair costs increase due to frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization capability is extracted from the disposable tube set and integrated into the reusable insufflator. This allows the filter and tubing to be reused multiple times, reducing the frequency of replacement and associated costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the entire tube set after one use, the invention enables recovery and reuse of the filter and tubing components by sterilizing them with UV light between procedures.
3Ease of repair
If body fluids enter the insufflator unit, then repair costs increase, but providing sterilization capability would require complex additional systems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical sterilization systems (such as autoclaves or chemical sterilants) with a simple UV light source. UV sterilization requires no moving parts, no water, and no complex control systems, making it ideal for integration into the insufflator without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV light source enables the insufflator to self-sterilize its own gas flow path, filter, and tubing between uses. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external sterilization equipment or complex manual sterilization procedures.
4Reliability
If UV light sources are incorporated in the insufflator, then sterilization of gas flow path is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light source is merged with the existing gas flow path structure of the insufflator. The sterilization function is integrated into the housing and gas flow components that already exist, rather than adding separate sterilization chambers or systems.
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
The implementation of UV light sources within the insufflation device effectively sterilizes the gas flow path, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and allowing for the reuse of filters, thereby decreasing the need for frequent disposable tube sets and lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
one or more elongate ultraviolet lamps are provided adjacent various lengths of the transparent gas flow piping. UV light radiates through the transparent material, such as plastic or glass, to sterilize the interior surface of the gas flow pipe
Implementation Method 2
A reflective coating or sheath on the inner wall of the gas flow piping allows the ultraviolet light to sterilize the interior of the piping
Data Source
AI summary
An insufflation device connects to a disposable tube set for providing gas to fill an abdominal cavity of a patient to enable surgical procedures. The insufflation device has an ultraviolet light source to provide ultraviolet light for sterilizing a flow control valve system therein. A filter provided with the insufflation device enables additional surgical procedures for the insufflation device without cleaning of the flow control valve systems or necessarily replacement of the filter. Tube sets connected to the insufflation device do not necessarily require a filter.