Optical Oxygen Sensing for Insufflation Gas Concentration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal oxide film oxygen sensors in surgical gas delivery systems require high power consumption, are prone to blockage, and have complex temperature control requirements, which disrupt operating room workflow and increase system complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A surgical gas delivery system utilizing an optical oxygen sensor with a gas recirculation circuit, a gas metering valve, and a processor to adjust insufflation gas concentration based on optical oxygen and pressure sensor signals, enabling precise control without heating, thus reducing power consumption and system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanical flow sensor is used to measure CO2 concentration, then the system can control insufflation gas concentration, but the sensor becomes clogged with CO2 bubbles and requires frequent manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical flow sensor with an optical sensor that uses light absorption principles to measure CO2 concentration. The optical sensor detects CO2 by measuring changes in light absorption properties, eliminating the mechanical moving parts that become clogged with CO2 bubbles. This substitution maintains measurement precision while eliminating the need for manual cleaning and ensuring continuous reliable operation.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning of the sensor is performed, then the sensor remains functional, but the procedure is time-consuming and interrupts the monitoring process
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor system performs self-diagnosis and self-maintenance through continuous monitoring of its own performance parameters. The system can detect when calibration is needed or when performance degradation occurs and automatically alert the user or perform automatic calibration routines, eliminating the need for manual intervention and time-consuming cleaning procedures while maintaining continuous monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned close to the patient's airway, then accurate measurement is achieved, but the sensor may be contaminated with bodily fluids and requires frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an optical sensing mechanism that measures CO2 concentration through light absorption properties rather than direct mechanical contact with the airway. This allows the sensor to be positioned close to the patient's airway for accurate measurement while the optical detection method remains unaffected by bodily fluid contamination, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning and maintaining measurement accuracy throughout use.
4Reliability
If the insufflation gas flow rate is increased to ensure adequate ventilation, then patient safety is improved, but the concentration of inspired CO2 increases and may cause hypercapnia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback control system that continuously monitors CO2 concentration in the inspired gas and adjusts the insufflation flow rate accordingly. The optical sensor provides real-time feedback on CO2 levels, and the control system automatically modulates the gas flow to maintain CO2 concentration within safe limits, preventing hypercapnia while ensuring adequate ventilation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond dynamically to changing patient conditions and maintain safety without requiring manual intervention.
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 system provides efficient, low-power, and reliable control of insufflation gas concentration, minimizing service interruptions and reducing system size and cost, while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor, such as an optical oxygen sensor, to detect the concentration of CO2 in the insufflation gas
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical gas delivery system (10) is disclosed which includes a gas recirculation circuit (12) for insufflation gas, a gas metering valve (14) for metering a flow of insufflation gas from a gas source (16) into the gas recirculation circuit, and a processor (18) for controlling the gas metering valve based upon signals received from an optical oxygen sensor (20) and a pressure sensor (22) to adjust insufflation gas concentration within the gas recirculation circuit.