Threaded Smoke Suction Flow Regulator for Pneumoperitoneum Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smoke evacuation systems in minimally invasive surgical procedures lack sufficient control over negative pressure, leading to inconsistent smoke removal and potential collapse of the pneumoperitoneum, impaired visualization, and health risks due to surgical smoke escape.
Innovation Solution
A smoke suction flow regulator with a threaded knob and base assembly that allows for variable and gradual flow control, featuring external ridges and an indicator for setting adjustment, and a retention feature to lock the knob in place, enabling consistent negative pressure management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a negative pressure vacuum system is used for smoke evacuation, then smoke removal capability is improved, but the pneumoperitoneum may collapse due to excessive negative pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic flow regulator that allows real-time adjustment of the vacuum system's negative pressure. The regulator includes a movable component that can be positioned at different locations along a flow path, enabling the operator to dynamically control the degree of smoke evacuation while preventing excessive negative pressure that would collapse the pneumoperitoneum. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to changing surgical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameter of the vacuum system by introducing a regulator that modifies the negative pressure level. By adjusting the regulator's position, the flow rate and pressure parameters are varied to achieve optimal smoke evacuation without compromising pneumoperitoneum stability. This parameter adjustment mechanism allows the system to operate within a safe pressure range while maintaining effective smoke removal.
2Device complexity
If simple on/off valve control is used for smoke evacuation, then device complexity is reduced, but smoke removal consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple on/off valve with a dynamic flow regulator that provides continuous or stepped adjustment of smoke evacuation flow. The regulator's movable component can be positioned at multiple discrete locations or continuously adjusted, enabling consistent and reliable smoke removal by allowing fine-tuned control of the vacuum flow rate. This dynamic control mechanism maintains reliability while adding only moderate complexity to the device.
3Productivity
If high negative pressure is applied for effective smoke suction, then smoke evacuation efficiency is improved, but visualization may be impaired due to pneumoperitoneum collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the negative pressure parameter of the vacuum system through the flow regulator to optimize the balance between smoke evacuation efficiency and surgical visualization. By controlling the regulator's position, the system maintains negative pressure within a range that effectively removes smoke while preventing pneumoperitoneum collapse that would impair visualization. This parameter optimization ensures both productivity and visualization quality are maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the operator monitors surgical visualization quality and smoke evacuation effectiveness, then adjusts the flow regulator accordingly. This closed-loop control allows the system to maintain optimal performance by providing feedback on the actual surgical conditions and adjusting the vacuum flow to prevent visualization impairment while maintaining efficient smoke removal.
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 precise and consistent smoke evacuation, maintaining pneumoperitoneum stability and improving surgical visualization by allowing controlled adjustment of smoke removal, reducing health risks and procedural delays.
Implementation Method 1
The complementary threaded regions of the knob assembly and the base permit gradual closing or opening of the gas path through the base by rotation of the knob assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A smoke evacuation flow regulator for use with a suction source to rapidly remove excess smoke during an endoscopic surgical procedure is described. The smoke evacuation regulator may include a body having a gas pathway and a knob assembly threadably attached to the body that is sized to completely open or completely close the gas pathway in a single revolution of the knob assembly. The head of the knob assembly may be sized and shaped to permit tactile determination of the rotational position of the knob assembly in low vision situations. The body of the smoke evacuation flow regulator may include a knob assembly retaining arm that cooperates with a disk or extension on the knob assembly to allow rotational freedom of the knob assembly, but prevent inadvertent removal of the knob assembly from the body during use.