Microwave Insufflation Gas Heating with Continuous Humidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insufflation gas treatment systems are inefficient in responding to flow parameter changes and require complex manufacturing due to the use of resistive wires for heating and separate tubes for humidification, leading to issues like hypothermia and peritoneal trauma.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a microwave susceptor, such as silicon carbide, to heat and humidify insufflation gas with a nebulizer and microwave generator, allowing for precise control through sensors and an AI system to adjust parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a resistive wire is used to heat the insufflation gas, then the gas can be heated, but the system is not responsive to flow parameter changes and cannot maintain desired temperature when flow rate changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the resistive wire heating system with a microwave-based heating system. The microwave generator emits electromagnetic waves that are absorbed by the insufflation gas and the microwave susceptor material in the insufflation tube, converting electromagnetic energy directly into thermal energy. This substitution enables rapid and responsive heating that can adapt to changing flow parameters, as the microwave energy can be quickly adjusted to maintain desired gas temperature regardless of flow rate variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microwave susceptor material with specific electromagnetic absorption properties into the insufflation tube. This material has high microwave absorptivity, allowing it to efficiently convert microwave energy into heat. By changing the heating mechanism from resistive (electrical resistance) to dielectric heating (microwave absorption), the system achieves superior responsiveness to flow parameter changes and can maintain consistent gas temperature across varying flow conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If a humidifier liquid is applied into the insufflation gas stream using a tube set filled with syringe, then the gas can be humidified, but the flow of insufflation gas must be stopped during liquid insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a nebulizer as an intermediary device that converts liquid humidifier into an aerosol mist. This mist is then introduced into the insufflation gas stream without requiring flow interruption. The nebulizer acts as a mediator that transforms the humidification process from a liquid injection method (requiring flow stop) to a vaporized particle injection method (allowing continuous flow), thereby eliminating downtime while achieving effective humidification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the humidifier liquid from liquid to aerosol/vapor state through the nebulizer. By converting the liquid humidifier into fine mist or vapor particles, the system can introduce moisture into the gas stream continuously without flow interruption. This phase transition approach allows the humidified gas to be delivered continuously, eliminating the time loss associated with stopping flow for liquid insertion.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If special tubes incorporating heating wire and saline inflow are used, then heating and humidification can be achieved, but the manufacturing becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the tube structure itself and separates it into a standalone microwave generator system. Instead of embedding heating wires and saline delivery systems within the tube (creating manufacturing complexity), the invention uses a simple insufflation tube that works in conjunction with external microwave and nebulizer devices. This separation simplifies tube manufacturing while maintaining effective heating and humidification capabilities through the microwave susceptor and aerosol generation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a microwave susceptor material in the insufflation tube that serves multiple functions: it absorbs microwave energy for heating, maintains structural integrity of the tube, and enables continuous flow operation. This multi-functional material approach replaces the need for complex multi-component tube designs with heating wires and internal saline channels, simplifying manufacturing while achieving the same therapeutic effects through a more straightforward single-component or simple composite tube structure.
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
Enables responsive and precise heating and humidification of insufflation gas without stopping the flow, reducing patient risks and simplifying manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave susceptor... which absorbs electromagnetic energy (i.e. microwaves) and converts it to heat
Implementation Method 2
a microwave susceptor formed of a material having a greater microwave absorptivity than the humidifier liquid and/or a remainder of the insufflation tube
Implementation Method 3
a nebulizer arranged to deliver a mist of a humidifier liquid into the insufflation tube for creating a humidified gas flow
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for treating an insufflation gas is provided. The apparatus includes: an insufflation tube comprising an inlet for receiving a flow of insufflation gas; a nebulizer arranged to deliver a mist of a humidifier liquid into the insufflation tube for creating a humidified gas flow; and a microwave generator arranged to apply microwaves to a heating region of the insufflation tube, the heating region being downstream of the nebulizer for heating the humidified gas flow.