Turbidity Sensor for Lithotripsy Visibility Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
During lithotripsy procedures for treating kidney stones, the breakdown of stones into smaller pieces leads to suspended solids in the solution, which impairs the visibility of the surgical scene, making it difficult for physicians to maintain clarity and efficiency in the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A system equipped with a flexible scope containing illumination fibers and an imaging system, along with turbidity sensors, measures the turbidity level of the solution and provides feedback to adjust the irrigation and suction systems automatically or manually, ensuring optimal visibility by controlling the flow rate and suction rate based on the turbidity level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lithotripsy is performed to break stones into smaller pieces, then stone removal effectiveness is improved, but suspended solids increase causing impaired visibility of the surgical scene
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a turbidity sensor that continuously monitors the clarity of the irrigation solution and provides real-time feedback to the control system. When turbidity exceeds a threshold indicating impaired visibility, the system automatically adjusts irrigation and suction parameters to restore clarity, enabling continuous effective stone removal without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation and suction systems are configured to automatically regulate their own operation based on turbidity sensor readings. The control system autonomously increases irrigation flow or activates suction when turbidity rises, and reduces or stops these functions when clarity is restored, allowing the system to self-manage visibility without requiring physician intervention
2Object-affected harmful factors
If irrigation flow rate is increased to clear suspended solids, then visibility is improved, but fluid loss and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system automatically regulates its own flow rate based on real-time turbidity sensor feedback. When the sensor detects increased turbidity indicating impaired visibility, the system autonomously increases irrigation flow to clear suspended solids. When clarity is restored, the system automatically reduces flow rate, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and simplifying overall system control
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual monitoring and adjustment of irrigation is performed, then visibility can be maintained, but procedure time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a turbidity sensor that continuously monitors the clarity of the irrigation solution and provides real-time feedback to the control system. When turbidity exceeds a threshold indicating impaired visibility, the system automatically adjusts irrigation and suction parameters to restore clarity, enabling continuous effective stone removal without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation and suction systems are configured to automatically regulate their own operation based on turbidity sensor readings. The control system autonomously increases irrigation flow or activates suction when turbidity rises, and reduces or stops these functions when clarity is restored, allowing the system to self-manage visibility without requiring physician intervention
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 enhances the clarity of the surgical scene, allowing for more efficient stone removal, reducing procedure time, and minimizing the need for future procedures by automatically regulating irrigation and suction, thus improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the lithotripsy process.
Implementation Method 1
The system can measure the turbidity using a sensor included on or in a medical device
Implementation Method 2
a flexible scope containing illumination fibers and an imaging system
Data Source
AI summary
A system can automatically regulate irrigation, suction, or both, such as during a lithotripsy procedure. The system can include one or more sensors. Processing circuitry can be configured to generate an indication of a level of turbidity of a solution at or near a distal tip of a flexible scope, such as based on one or more signals from the one or more sensors. A control signal can be used to adjust an irrigation flow rate and/or a suction rate at the distal tip of the flexible scope. The level of turbidity can be determined using a sensor to measure electrolytic conductivity of the solution, a sensor to measure electromagnetic induction across a coil at the distal tip of the flexible scope and/or a measure of back reflected light or a measure of absorbed light emitted into the solution by a light source and measured by a light sensor.