Surgical Cavity Gas Composition Control System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack a reliable method to monitor and control the composition of gases within a surgical cavity during endoscopic procedures, which can lead to unsafe conditions due to unpredictable gas mixtures, including combustible gases and anesthetic residues, potentially causing complications such as embolisms or combustion.
Innovation Solution
A system that continuously monitors the gas composition in a surgical cavity using an array of sensors to detect multiple gas species, including CO2, O2, N2, CH4, and others, and takes corrective action by adding or removing gases to maintain desired concentrations, warning users, or disabling harmful devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional insufflation systems are used to fill the abdominal cavity with gas, then an operating space is created, but the gas composition becomes unpredictable and unsafe due to accumulation of combustible gases and anesthetic residues
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors gas composition in the surgical cavity using sensors that detect concentrations of CO2, O2, N2, CH4, and other gases. This feedback is processed by a control system that tracks changes in gas composition throughout the procedure, enabling real-time detection of unsafe conditions such as combustible gas accumulation or anesthetic residue buildup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical insufflation control with an intelligent control system that uses sensor data and processing algorithms to manage gas composition. The system substitutes simple mechanical gas delivery with an automated control mechanism that adjusts insufflation based on real-time gas composition analysis, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and intervention.
2Loss of energy
If gas recirculation is implemented to maintain insufflation, then gas is conserved, but harmful gas species accumulate and create unsafe conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses continuous gas composition monitoring to provide feedback on the concentration of harmful gases in the recirculating flow. The control system processes this information to determine when harmful species have accumulated to dangerous levels, enabling intelligent decision-making about when to flush the cavity with fresh gas versus when to continue recirculation for gas conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters of the insufflation system based on detected gas composition. When harmful gases are detected above safe thresholds, the system adjusts the recirculation rate, flush frequency, or insufflation flow rate to restore safe gas composition, thereby balancing gas conservation with safety requirements.
3Device complexity
If no gas composition monitoring is performed, then the system remains simple, but unsafe gas mixtures go undetected and can cause complications
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates gas composition sensors that continuously monitor the surgical cavity atmosphere and provide feedback to a control system. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of unsafe gas mixtures, including combustible gases and anesthetic residues, allowing for immediate corrective action to prevent patient complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces gas composition sensors as intermediary devices between the insufflation system and the surgical cavity atmosphere. These sensors act as mediators that detect harmful gas species and transmit information to the control system, enabling indirect monitoring of cavity conditions without requiring direct intervention or complex structural modifications to the surgical field.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electrocautery and anesthesia are used during surgery, then surgical functions are enabled, but gas composition changes create unsafe conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors gas composition changes that occur during electrocautery and anesthesia administration. The control system processes sensor data to detect specific hazardous conditions such as carbon monoxide from electrocautery or anesthetic gas accumulation, enabling real-time identification of procedure-specific hazards and appropriate corrective responses.
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
Ensures a safe and stable gas environment within the surgical cavity by maintaining optimal gas composition, preventing harmful gas accumulation and reducing the risk of complications during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor for monitoring a plurality of gas species in a gas flow from a surgical cavity of a patient
Implementation Method 2
A system that continuously monitors the gas composition in a surgical cavity using an array of sensors to detect multiple gas species, including CO2, O2, N2, CH4, and others, and takes corrective action by adding or removing gases to maintain desired concentrations
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling gas composition in a surgical cavity during an endoscopic surgical procedure includes monitoring for a plurality of gas species in a gas flow from a surgical cavity of a patient. The method includes measuring the plurality of gas species in the gas flow from the surgical cavity and determining if the gas species measured in the gas flow from the surgical cavity are each present and/or within a respective desired range. The method includes adding gas into the surgical cavity if one or more gas species in the plurality of gas species is outside of the respective desired range so as to bring a composition of gas species in the surgical cavity within the respective desired range.