Percutaneous Gas Detection for Medical Leak Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting leaks or verifying closure after endoluminal procedures lack objectivity and reliability, often requiring invasive procedures or using specialized gases like hydrogen, which are not readily available in clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a percutaneous injection of a specific test gas, such as nitrous oxide, to detect leaks by analyzing the gas mixture within the body cavity, allowing for objective verification of luminal integrity through a non-invasive and widely available means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional leak testing methods (water, colored fluids, air under pressure with external observation) are used, then leak detection capability is provided, but the methods are either invasive or insufficiently reliable and accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a test gas (such as carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide) as an intermediary substance to detect leaks. The test gas is insufflated into the body cavity and its presence is detected by a sensor, providing a reliable and non-invasive method for leak detection without requiring invasive surgical procedures or complex imaging resources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical leak testing methods (water pressure, colored fluids, direct observation) with a gas-based detection system using insufflation and electronic sensing. This substitution enables objective, quantitative measurement of leak presence through gas concentration detection rather than subjective visual inspection
2Reliability
If diagnostic laparoscopy is performed to verify closure, then reliable leak detection is achieved, but the procedure becomes invasive and negates benefits of endoscopic intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The test gas serves as a mediator between the luminal closure site and the detection sensor. By insufflating the test gas into the body cavity and detecting its concentration, the system provides reliable closure verification without requiring invasive laparoscopic visualization, thus maintaining the minimally invasive nature of the original endoscopic intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the body's own cavity space and naturally present gases (or commonly available anesthetic gases) to perform the verification function. The test gas mixes with resident gases in the body cavity, and the combined mixture is analyzed to detect leaks, eliminating the need for separate invasive verification procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If dilute hydrogen gas is used for leak testing, then a fully endoluminal leak test is achieved, but the gas is highly flammable, not immediately available, and requires specialized detectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses commonly available anesthetic gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide) that are readily present in most medical facilities rather than requiring specialized hydrogen gas systems. These gases are inexpensive, non-flammable, and can be used with standard medical equipment, making the leak test immediately available and safe for routine clinical use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the test gas from hydrogen (highly flammable, specialized) to commonly available anesthetic gases (non-flammable, readily available). This parameter change maintains the endoluminal testing capability while dramatically improving safety and availability for routine clinical practice
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 reliable and non-invasive detection of leaks, reducing the need for invasive procedures and utilizing commonly available anesthetic gases, thereby improving patient safety and procedural efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a leak test is performed by injecting or insufflating, in the concerned organ, a specific test gas which is not commonly produced or naturally present within the body of the subject, or which is present or produced in a precisely known amount or concentration, and by analysing percutaneously the gas or gas mixture present locally within the body cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held detection device for use in detection of a leakage in an anatomical conduit within a cavity of a body part filled with a gas mixture, the detection device including: an access element configured to penetrate the body part, and a housing, both configured to be held by hand of a user; and a detection module including: a sensor configured to measure at least one gas mixture parameter related to the gas mixture within the cavity; and a sub-computational module arranged in the housing and connected to the at least one sensor, and being configured to compute the gas mixture parameter to provide a gas information, a user interface being configured to communicate the gas information.