Endoscopic Surgical Cavity Gas Composition Control by Multi-Gas Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems lack the ability to reliably monitor and control the composition of gases within a surgical cavity during endoscopic procedures, which can lead to post-operative complications due to the presence of non-carbon dioxide gases, such as methane or other volatile organic compounds, potentially causing combustion or embolisms.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for monitoring and controlling gas composition in a surgical cavity using sensors to detect multiple gas species, including CO2, N2, O2, NO2, H2O, CH4, Xe, Ar, Desflurane, Isoflurane, and CO, with a processor determining if the gases are within desired ranges and taking corrective action to maintain optimal composition by adding or removing gases as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional insufflation systems are used to fill the abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide, then a pneumoperitoneum is created to provide surgical working space, but the gas composition within the cavity cannot be monitored or controlled, allowing non-carbon dioxide gases to accumulate and cause complications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of surgical procedureVSAvoidgas composition data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors gas composition in the surgical cavity using sensors and feeds this information back to a controller, which automatically adjusts gas delivery to maintain safe carbon dioxide levels and prevent accumulation of harmful gases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Gas composition sensors act as intermediaries between the surgical cavity environment and the control system, translating physical gas concentrations into electrical signals that enable automated monitoring and control of insufflation gas composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple gas species are monitored to detect harmful gases, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of harmful gasesVSAvoidsensor array and control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single gas analysis system performs multiple functions by detecting various gas species (carbon dioxide, methane, volatile organic compounds) simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems for each gas type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple gas detection functions are combined into one integrated sensor array and control unit, consolidating what would otherwise require separate monitoring devices into a single multi-functional system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 the surgical cavity maintains a safe and stable gas composition by continuously monitoring and adjusting gas levels, reducing the risk of combustion, embolisms, and other complications.

Implementation Method 1

A sensor for monitoring a plurality of gas species in a gas flow from a surgical cavity of a patient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3801712B1System for controlling gas composition in a surgical cavity during endoscopic surgical procedures
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 CONMED CORP
  • EP3801712B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3801712B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3801712B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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.