Integrated Surgical Gas Sensing for Early Oxygen Fire Warning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical environments lack a device to detect elevated oxygen and other gases/chemicals, which can lead to fire risks due to their proximity to ignition sources and fuels, necessitating an early warning system for medical staff.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system integrated into electrosurgical devices and trocars that detects oxygen and other gases/chemicals using various technologies, transmitting data to a main control unit for processing and triggering visual and audible warnings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxygen delivery is performed in an open system during surgical procedures, then the patient receives adequate oxygenation, but leaking oxygen may propagate to the surgical site and elevate oxygen concentration, creating fire risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of oxygen concentration at the surgical site before ignition can occur. The sensor continuously monitors oxygen levels and triggers a warning signal to medical staff before the oxygen concentration reaches dangerous levels that could cause fire, allowing preventive action to be taken.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop by continuously monitoring oxygen concentration at the surgical site and providing real-time warning signals to medical staff. When the sensor detects elevated oxygen levels, it immediately communicates this information through visual and audible alarms, enabling staff to adjust oxygen delivery or remove ignition sources.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into electrosurgical devices and trocars, then early detection of hazardous gas concentrations is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the sensor functionality with existing electrosurgical devices and trocars by integrating sensors into these familiar surgical instruments. This consolidation allows gas detection capability to be added without requiring separate standalone monitoring equipment, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to be universally applicable across multiple surgical devices and procedures. The same sensor technology can be integrated into different types of electrosurgical devices and trocars, providing multi-functional capability that reduces the need for device-specific customizations and simplifies the overall system architecture.
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
Provides early detection and warning of potentially hazardous gas concentrations, reducing the risk of surgical fires by allowing staff to take preventive actions.
Implementation Method 1
Some examples of technologies for targeting oxygen, and/or other gases/chemicals, include: luminescence spectroscopy
Implementation Method 2
Some examples of technologies for targeting oxygen, and/or other gases/chemicals, include: paramagnetic
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum tube (19) for evacuation of surgical smoke
Implementation Method 4
Some examples of sensor technologies for targeting temperature include: thermocouples; thermistors
Implementation Method 5
Sensors for gases include, but are not limited to: CO2, CO and alcohol
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for sensing. An exemplary apparatus includes a surgical device, a control unit comprising a user interface, a power unit, a motor, a warning element, a processor, and a memory including computer program instructions, the user interface operable to select between an on or off setting for the apparatus, the power unit operable to connect with a power source. The apparatus further includes a sensor located on at least one of the surgical device and the control unit, the sensor operable to sense a presence of gases, and a conduit comprising a vacuum tube fluidly coupled to the surgical device and the control unit, and a communication line operable to transmit electronic signals between the surgical device, the control unit and the sensor.