Automated Irrigation Control for Lithotripsy Field Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser lithotripsy systems require manual and continuous modulation of irrigation flow rates by operators to balance field clarity and fragment retropulsion, leading to procedural inefficiencies and operator fatigue.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that modulates irrigation flow rates based on feedback from the lithotripsy system, such as image processing data for field clarity and temperature sensing for thermal management, to optimize stone fragmentation and fragment retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual irrigation flow rate modulation is used, then field clarity can be maintained, but procedural efficiency decreases and operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the field of view clarity and automatically adjusts irrigation flow rate based on the feedback signal, eliminating the need for manual modulation while maintaining optimal field clarity throughout the lithotripsy procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system autonomously regulates its own flow rate without operator intervention, using built-in sensors and control mechanisms to self-adjust and maintain appropriate irrigation levels based on real-time procedural conditions
2Illumination intensity
If high irrigation flow rate is used, then field of view is cleared, but fragment retropulsion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation flow rate is dynamically adjusted during the procedure rather than maintained at a constant high level, automatically increasing when field clarity deteriorates and decreasing when fragments are successfully removed, thereby optimizing the balance between visibility and fragment stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the irrigation flow rate parameter in real-time based on procedural needs, transitioning between different flow levels to achieve both clear field of view and minimal fragment retropulsion at different stages of stone fragmentation
3Illumination intensity
If continuous irrigation is used, then field clarity is maintained, but thermal management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously, delivering irrigation fluid in controlled intervals to clear the field of view while allowing thermal energy to dissipate between pulses, thereby managing heat generation from laser lithotripsy
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling an energy output setting of a lithotripsy device during a lithotripsy procedure are provided. The system includes a laser or other lithotripsy device configured for facilitating the lithotripsy procedure, an irrigation system configured for supplying an irrigant such as saline to a surgical site, and a temperature sensor configured to provide temperature data associated with the irrigant. The system can modulate the energy output setting of the lithotripsy device based on an estimated temperature that is determined based at least in part on the temperature data and one or more other factors such as a current energy output setting or a flow rate of the irrigant.