Replaceable Laparoscopic Oximetry Tube With Reusable Probe Unit

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oximeters face challenges in improving form factor, measurement accuracy, reducing size and cost, and ensuring quick and accurate oxygen saturation measurements, particularly in clinical settings like surgery where tissue viability is critical.

Innovation Solution

A laparoscopic medical device with a detachable oximeter probe unit and replaceable tubes, featuring near-field communication tags for calibration, allowing for efficient sterility and cost-effective reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire oximeter probe is made disposable to ensure sterility, then sterility is improved, but cost increases and waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesterilityVSAvoidwaste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The oximeter probe is divided into two separable components: a reusable probe unit containing the detector and electronics, and a disposable laparoscopic tube containing the light source and optical fibers. This segmentation allows the sterile disposable tube to be used once while the expensive probe unit can be reused, resolving the contradiction between sterility and waste reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The laparoscopic tube with light source is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use to ensure sterility, while the more valuable probe unit with detector is reused. This applies the principle of making only the necessary sterile portion disposable rather than the entire device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If the entire oximeter probe is made disposable to ensure sterility, then sterility is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesterilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The oximeter probe is divided into two separable components: a reusable probe unit containing the detector and electronics, and a disposable laparoscopic tube containing the light source and optical fibers. This segmentation allows the sterile disposable tube to be used once while the expensive probe unit can be reused, resolving the contradiction between sterility and waste reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The laparoscopic tube with light source is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use to ensure sterility, while the more valuable probe unit with detector is reused. This applies the principle of making only the necessary sterile portion disposable rather than the entire device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If calibration information is stored in the disposable tube, then calibration accuracy is improved, but the tube becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidtube complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical calibration certificates or manual calibration procedures with electronic NFC tags embedded in the disposable tube. This allows calibration information to be automatically read by the probe unit, improving calibration accuracy while the complexity is managed through standardized electronic components rather than mechanical calibration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Facilitates accurate and efficient oxygen saturation measurements in surgical environments by ensuring calibration accuracy and reducing waste through reusable components.

Implementation Method 1

The laparoscopic tube includes a communication tag, such as a near field communication (NFC) tag, that stores calibration information for the optical elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Light absorption differs significantly for oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobins at certain wavelengths of light. Tissue oximeters can measure oxygen levels in human tissue by exploiting these light-absorption differences.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250318760A1Detachment and Replacement Method for a Laparoscopic Tube for an Oximetry Probe

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 VIOPTIX INC

AI summary

A laparoscopic medical device includes an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows for making oxygen saturation measurements laparoscopically. The laparoscopic medical device includes a probe unit and a laparoscopic tube that detachably connects with the probe unit so that the laparoscopic tube can be replaced for different patient surgeries and the probe unit can be reused. The probe unit includes a number of optical fibers and the detachable laparoscopic tube includes a number of optical fibers where tips of the fibers of the probe unit and laparoscopic tube connect end to end. Cores of the transmitting optical fibers have smaller numerical apertures and smaller diameters than cores of the receiving optical fibers to facilitate a high percentage of light transmission even when the optical fibers are misaligned at their contacting ends.