Insufflation Gas Treatment With Microwave Heating And Nebulization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insufflation gas systems struggle with inefficient heating and humidification processes, leading to issues such as hypothermia and peritoneal trauma due to cold, dry gases, and require complex manufacturing of specialized tubes with heating wires and saline inflows.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a microwave susceptor, such as silicon carbide, to heat humidified insufflation gas within an insufflation tube, combined with a nebulizer to deliver a fine mist of humidifier liquid and controlled by sensors and an AI system to maintain precise temperature and humidity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a resistive wire is used to heat the insufflation gas, then heating can be provided, but the heating is not responsive to changes in flow parameters and cannot maintain desired temperature precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional resistive wire heating system with a microwave-based heating system. The microwave generator emits electromagnetic waves that are absorbed by the insufflation gas and humidifier liquid, converting electromagnetic energy directly into thermal energy. This substitution enables rapid, responsive heating that can quickly adapt to changes in gas flow parameters, thereby maintaining precise temperature control without the lag inherent in resistive heating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave heating system operates with periodic modulation of microwave power output based on feedback from temperature sensors. The system continuously adjusts the microwave emission in periodic cycles to maintain the desired temperature, enabling dynamic response to flow parameter changes and achieving precise temperature control that resistive heating cannot provide.
2Quantity of substance
If a humidifier liquid is delivered into the insufflation gas stream, then humidification can be achieved, but the gas flow must be stopped during liquid insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where the insufflation gas flow continues uninterrupted while the humidifier liquid is delivered. The microwave generator simultaneously heats both the gas and liquid in real-time, eliminating the need to stop gas flow during liquid insertion. This continuous operation maintains productivity while achieving proper humidification, directly resolving the contradiction between liquid delivery and gas flow continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave radiation acts as an intermediary heating mechanism that can simultaneously heat both the insufflation gas and the humidifier liquid without requiring physical contact or interruption of gas flow. This intermediary energy transfer method enables concurrent delivery of liquid and continuous flow of gas, solving the contradiction between humidification and productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specialized tubes with heating wires and saline inflow are manufactured, then heating and humidification functions can be integrated, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating and humidification functions from the tube structure itself and relocates them to separate external components (microwave generator and nebulizer). The tube becomes a simple conduit without embedded heating wires or saline channels, dramatically simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the integrated functionality through the external microwave-based system.
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave generator serves multiple functions: it heats the insufflation gas, heats the humidifier liquid, and enables continuous operation during liquid delivery. This universal heating mechanism replaces multiple specialized tube features, achieving integrated functionality through a single external device rather than complex tube manufacturing.
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 interrupting the gas flow, reducing patient discomfort and simplifying manufacturing by eliminating complex tubes.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave generator arranged to apply microwaves to a heating region of the insufflation tube, the heating region downstream of the nebuliser for heating the humidified gas flow
Implementation Method 2
The heating region of the insufflation tube may comprise a microwave susceptor. That is a material which absorbs electromagnetic energy (i.e. microwaves) and converts it to heat.
Implementation Method 3
a nebuliser arranged to deliver a mist of a humidifier liquid into the insufflation tube for creating a humidified gas flow
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for treating an insufflation gas is provided. The apparatus comprises: an insufflation tube comprising an inlet for receiving a flow of insufflation gas; a nebuliser 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 downstream of the nebuliser for heating the humidified gas flow.