Surgical Fluid Management via Electronic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid delivery systems in surgical settings lack consistency and predictability in controlling fluid flow rates, requiring significant time and attention from surgeons and nurses to adjust flow rates during surgeries, which can be distracting and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system that includes a console and remote control for selecting and displaying preset flow rates corresponding to different surgical instrument sizes, allowing surgeons to choose the appropriate flow rate directly and maintain consistent fluid delivery without relying on manual pinch valves or external assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a roller-pinch valve is used to control fluid flow rate, then the system is simple to implement, but the flow rate lacks consistency and predictability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical roller-pinch valve system with an electronically controlled peristaltic pump system. The pump uses a motor-driven roller mechanism that can be precisely controlled through electronic signals from a remote control device, eliminating the need for manual finger operation and providing consistent, predictable flow rates through electronic control rather than mechanical adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preset flow rate parameters stored in memory that can be selected via remote control. The system changes the flow rate parameter electronically by selecting from pre-programmed values corresponding to different surgical instrument sizes, ensuring consistent and predictable flow rates without manual adjustment. This transforms the continuous manual adjustment parameter into discrete, pre-determined parameter selections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of flow rate is required during surgery, then the system can adapt to different needs, but it consumes valuable surgical time and distracts the surgeon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores multiple preset flow rate values in memory before the surgical procedure begins. These presets correspond to different surgical instrument sizes and are pre-programmed into the system. When a surgeon needs to change flow rates, they simply select the appropriate preset via remote control rather than performing manual adjustments, eliminating time loss while maintaining adaptability to different surgical needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote control device as an intermediary between the surgeon and the fluid delivery system. This intermediary allows the surgeon to change flow rate settings without leaving the surgical field or performing manual adjustments. The remote control transmits electronic signals to the pump motor controller, enabling flow rate changes to be made quickly and conveniently during the procedure.
3Reliability
If a peristaltic pump is used to deliver fluid, then sterility and cleanliness are maintained, but consistent and predictable flow rate control requires additional complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the peristaltic pump system to perform multiple functions: it maintains sterility by keeping fluid isolated in tubing while simultaneously providing electronically controlled flow rate adjustment through a motor-driven roller mechanism. The same pump mechanism that ensures cleanliness also enables precise electronic control when combined with the motor controller and remote interface, eliminating the need for separate manual valve systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical valve adjustment system with an electronically controlled peristaltic pump system. The electronic motor controller receives signals from a remote control device and adjusts the pump's roller speed and position accordingly, providing consistent and predictable flow rates while maintaining the sterility benefits of the peristaltic design. This substitution reduces the need for additional manual control components.
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 consistent and predictable fluid flow rates during surgical procedures, reducing the time and effort required to adjust flow rates and allowing surgeons to focus on the operation without diverting attention from other critical tasks.
Implementation Method 1
pumping fluid from a fluid source, such as a bag, through medical tubing via a positive displacement pump, such as a peristaltic pump. In use, tubing is placed within the peristaltic pump to allow its rollers to cyclically engage the tubing to provide the desired pumping action.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical fluid manager includes a pump releasably engageable to tubing and a user interface. The user interface is configured to enable finger-touch selection of a fluid flow rate through the tubing and configured to operate in at least one of a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the flow rate is controlled via direct selection of one of a plurality of selectable digital numeric values, while in the second mode the flow rate is controlled via user selection of one alphanumeric identifier within a scale of alphanumeric identifiers. Each respective alphanumeric identifier directly corresponds to just one instrument size within a scale of instrument sizes.