Hollow Organ Leak Detection Using Pressure Differential Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting leaks in hollow structures post-surgery are unable to accurately determine the size of the leak, which is crucial for determining the need for further surgical intervention.
Innovation Solution
A leak detecting apparatus and method that maintains a constant pressure differential between the hollow structure and the cavity, using gas flow and pressure sensing to compute the size of the leak by monitoring gas presence and flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gas injection method is used for leak detection, then leak presence can be detected, but the size of the leak cannot be accurately determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors gas flow rate and pressure differential, using this feedback to calculate and determine the leak size. The control means adjusts the pressure differential based on detected values to maintain optimal measurement conditions, enabling accurate quantification of leak size rather than just binary detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct visual observation of bubbles (mechanical/optical method) with electronic sensing of gas flow rate and pressure differential. This substitution enables precise measurement of leak size through electronic data processing rather than relying on surgeon's visual assessment, which is prone to error and cannot quantify leak size accurately.
2Reliability
If coloured die test method is used, then leak detection is possible, but retesting cannot be accurately carried out due to residual die
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a gaseous test medium instead of a liquid coloured die, fundamentally changing the physical state parameter. Gas can be easily evaporated or pumped out of the cavity, allowing complete removal and enabling accurate retesting without residual interference, unlike liquid die that remains in the cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition advantage of gas versus liquid. The gaseous test medium can transition from liquid-like confined state to gas-like dispersed state, allowing easy removal from the cavity through evaporation or pumping, thus enabling reliable retesting after repair without residual contamination.
3Measurement precision
If gas injection method is used in relatively large cavities, then leak detection may be performed, but small leaks cannot be observed due to line of sight limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces visual observation (optical method limited by line of sight) with electronic sensing of gas flow rate and pressure differential. The sensors can detect small changes in gas parameters regardless of cavity size or surgeon's viewing angle, enabling detection of small leaks in large cavities without direct visual contact with the repair site.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas flow and pressure sensing system provides universal leak detection capability that works regardless of cavity size, anatomical location, or surgical approach. Unlike visual methods that require direct line of sight, the electronic sensing system can detect leaks anywhere in the cavity through indirect measurement of gas parameters, making it applicable to both small and large cavities equally effectively.
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
Accurately determines the size of the leak, allowing for informed decisions on whether additional surgical intervention is necessary, and can be used in various surgical procedures including laparoscopic surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a first pressure sensing means configured to produce a signal indicative of the pressure in the hollow structure, a second pressure sensing means configured to produce a signal indicative of the pressure in the cavity
Implementation Method 2
a gas detecting means configured to produce a signal indicative of the presence of the first gas in the one of the hollow structure and the cavity into which the first gas is not delivered
Implementation Method 3
a gas flow sensing means configured to produce a signal indicative of the rate of flow of the first gas delivered to the one of the hollow structure and the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A leak detecting apparatus (1) for detecting a leak and determining the size of the leak in a suture repaired site (5) of a hollow organ (3), for example, a stomach, in a cavity (7), for example, the peritoneal cavity of a subject comprises a first insufflator (12) for insufflating the hollow organ (3) with a first gas, and a second insufflator (14) for insufflating the cavity (7) with a second gas. A gas detector (18) is provided for detecting the concentration of the first gas in gases exhausted from the cavity (7) through a communicating conduit (35). A flow meter (25) monitors the flow rate of the first gas to the hollow organ (3). First and second pressure sensors (15) and (16) monitor the static pressure of the first and second gases in the hollow organ (3) and the cavity (7), respectively. The apparatus (1) is operable in a first mode and a second mode. In both the first and second modes of operation a microprocessor (50) controls the second insufflator (14) for maintaining the pressure in the cavity (7) at a relatively low predefined pressure, and the first insufflator (12) for maintaining a constant predefined pressure differential between the pressures in the hollow organ (3) and the cavity (7) of approximately 7 mmHg. In the first mode the microprocessor (50) determines the size of the leak as a function of the pressure differential and the concentration of the first gas in the exhaust gases. In the second mode of operation the microprocessor (50) determines the size of the leak as a function of the pressure differential and the flow rate of the first gas to the hollow organ (3) with the hollow organ (3) sealed apart from the sutured site (5).