Surgical Fluid Management System with Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing liquid distending media in surgical procedures are inaccurate due to factors like overfilled media bags, spillage difficulties, and improper collection, leading to risks such as hyponatremia and hypoosmolality, as they rely on volume differences between introduction and removal without precise measurement.
Innovation Solution
A surgical fluid management system comprising a source of surgical media, pumps, filters, and a controller that coordinates fluid introduction and absorption, including pressure sensors and filters to maintain visualization and recycle media, ensuring precise measurement and reporting of absorption volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If liquid distending media is used to swell the organ for adequate visualization, then visualization quality is improved, but the risk of hyponatremia and hypoosmolality increases due to excess absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor fluid absorption and provide feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the pump operation based on this feedback to maintain fluid absorption within safe limits while ensuring adequate visualization during the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual monitoring methods with an automated system using sensors, pumps, and a controller. The pressure sensor and flow sensor provide electronic feedback to the controller, which automatically regulates fluid delivery, eliminating the need for manual calculation and intervention
2Ease of operation
If media absorption volume is determined by the difference between introduced and removed media volume, then measurement simplicity is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to overfilled bags, spillage, and improper collection
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual volume measurement methods with automated electronic sensing. Pressure sensors monitor fluid pressure changes that correlate with absorption, and flow sensors directly measure fluid flow rates, providing accurate real-time data on media absorption without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives continuous feedback from pressure sensors and flow sensors to calculate actual media absorption. This feedback loop allows the system to account for factors like spillage and bag fill status, providing accurate measurement even when manual methods fail
3Reliability
If a closed loop fluid management system is implemented with filters and pumps, then media recycling and visualization maintenance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional approach where the same pump and filter assembly serves multiple purposes: filtering bodily discharge, recycling surgical media, maintaining fluid pressure, and providing feedback for absorption monitoring. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity despite the advanced functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the filtration system, pump system, and monitoring sensors into an integrated closed-loop system. The check valve, filters, and pumps work together as a unified system that automatically manages fluid dynamics, reducing the need for separate manual systems
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
The system effectively limits media absorption to safe levels, maintains visualization, and provides accurate absorption volume measurements, reducing the risk of complications like hyponatremia and hypoosmolality by recycling and reusing surgical media, thus optimizing fluid management in surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
one or more peristaltic pumps
Implementation Method 2
one or more filters configured to filter at least portions of bodily discharge from a surgical site
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor in electrical communication with the controller and configured to sense fluid pressure within the surgical instrument
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical fluid management system includes a source of surgical media, a surgical instrument, a first pump, one or more filters, a second pump, and a controller. The first pump is operatively coupled between the source of surgical media and the surgical instrument. The one or more filters are configured to filter bodily discharge from a surgical site. The second pump is operatively coupled between the one or more filters and the first pump. The controller is in electrical communication with the first pump and the second pump to control the first and second pumps.