Vacuum Break Device for Endoscopic Smoke Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
During endoscopic procedures, the venting of smoke and gases from the body cavity into the operating room poses risks to patient and staff health due to the presence of toxic and carcinogenic substances, and existing smoke evacuation systems can cause suction forces that damage organs and lead to inflation collapse, necessitating interruptions in surgery.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a vacuum break device with a chamber in fluid communication with both an inlet and an outlet, connected to a suction source, which minimizes the suction force on the body cavity and allows controlled evacuation of smoke and gases, using existing suction sources to reduce exposure to harmful gases and prevent inflation collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a suction source is used to vent smoke and gases from the body cavity, then the exposure of patient and staff to harmful gases is reduced, but suction forces may be applied to the patient's organs causing damage and inflation collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum break device serves as an intermediary component between the body cavity and the suction source. It includes a chamber with openings to the atmosphere that allows smoke and gases to pass through while breaking the vacuum connection, thereby preventing direct transmission of suction forces to the patient's organs while still enabling evacuation of harmful gases
2Ease of operation
If smoke and gases are vented from the body cavity into the operating room, then existing suction sources can be used, but toxic and carcinogenic substances expose patient and staff to health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum break device acts as an intermediary that connects the body cavity to the suction source while introducing atmospheric air through its chamber openings. This allows the use of existing suction infrastructure to evacuate smoke and gases without directly venting them into the operating room environment, thereby protecting patient and staff from toxic exposure
3Productivity
If high suction force is applied to evacuate smoke rapidly, then smoke removal efficiency is improved, but the body cavity may collapse requiring surgery interruption for re-insufflation
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum break device chamber with atmospheric openings serves as a mediator that allows smoke evacuation while maintaining pressure balance. The chamber design enables smoke removal without creating excessive negative pressure that would cause body cavity collapse, thereby ensuring continuous surgical operation without interruptions for re-insufflation
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 patient safety by reducing the risk of toxic gas exposure and minimizing the collapse of the body cavity during surgery, allowing continuous operation without interrupting re-insufflation, while using existing suction sources to efficiently remove smoke and gases.
Implementation Method 1
A conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust gas outlet may be connected directly or indirectly to a suction source. The suction source may then be activated.
Implementation Method 2
The first valve may be operable to at least partially obstruct the one or more openings resulting in an increase in gas flow rate within the first conduit due to increased vacuum pressure within the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the invention is a method to vent gas from a body cavity during an endoscopic procedure. A body cavity is in fluid communication with an exhaust gas inlet of a vacuum break device. The vacuum break device has a chamber in fluid communication with both the inlet and an outlet. The chamber may comprise one or more openings in fluid communication with the atmosphere. A conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust gas outlet may be connected directly or indirectly to a suction source. The suction source may be activated.