Pleural Air Leak Detection via Aerosolized Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting pleural air leaks are unreliable, time-consuming, and require costly equipment, often necessitating invasive procedures like open thoracotomy, and lack a reliable visual identifier for air leak pathways.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pressurized canister with indicator compounds is used to aerosolize a dye or stain into the lung via a breathing apparatus, allowing it to accumulate at leaks, and a multi-part sealant is applied externally to seal the leaks, with visible indicators confirming treatment success.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open thoracotomy with saline filling is used to detect air leaks, then detection reliability is improved, but surgical time and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process by introducing indicator compounds that selectively accumulate at air leak sites, allowing localized identification rather than requiring complete lung submersion in saline. This enables targeted detection without the need for invasive open thoracotomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses indicator compounds as intermediaries that travel through the airways and accumulate at air leak pathways. These compounds serve as mediators between the air leak source and the surgeon's visual detection, providing clear markers without requiring direct saline filling of the entire pleural space.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If saline submersion method is used to identify air leaks, then leak location is visualized, but physical manipulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical saline submersion system with a chemical indicator compound delivery system. Instead of physically manipulating and submerging lung tissue in saline, the system uses aerosolized or liquid indicator compounds that are introduced through existing airways and automatically accumulate at leak sites through pressure gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator compound system serves multiple functions: it identifies air leak locations, marks the precise site for surgical intervention, and can potentially seal leaks when combined with sealant agents. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection and treatment planning steps.
3Reliability
If traditional detection methods are used, then air leaks can be identified, but cost and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, biocompatible indicator compounds that can be administered as single-use aerosol or liquid formulations. These disposable-like indicator agents eliminate the need for expensive, reusable imaging equipment such as high-resolution CT scanners or MRI machines while providing reliable leak detection.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If saline filling and bubble observation is used, then air leak pathways are detected, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color-changing indicator compounds that provide high-contrast visual markers at air leak sites. The colored indicators accumulate preferentially at leak pathways, creating easily observable color changes that simplify detection compared to the subtle bubble formation observed in saline-filled pleural spaces.
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
This approach provides a quick, accurate, and less invasive method to identify and seal pleural air leaks, reducing surgical time and improving outcomes by offering a clear visual target for surgeons, thus enhancing detection and treatment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
introducing an indicator compound into the lung via an aerosol or nebulizer
Implementation Method 2
a pressurized canister with indicator compounds is used to aerosolize a dye or stain into the lung
Implementation Method 3
allowing it to accumulate at leaks
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems useful for detecting leaks in pleural tissue. Also disclosed are methods of detecting and sealing such leaks. Indicator dye or stain is aerosolized and delivered to the lung via anesthetic equipment, oxygen tube, endoscope, or other suitable equipment, the dye is allowed to travel through the lung along the path or paths of least resistance emerging at the surface of the lung, staining the tissue indicative of a leak. Some embodiments include introducing one part of a two part sealant with the dye, and applying the second part of the sealant to the stain identified leak locations.