Electrically Variable Insufflator Safety Valve for Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insufflator safety valves are non-user-adjustable and set to high pressures to prevent leaks, which can lead to over-pressurization risks, especially in pediatric patients or surgeries requiring less gas flow.
Innovation Solution
An electrically variable safety valve with a stepper motor and lead screw mechanism that adjusts cracking pressure intra-operatively based on operator input or sensor feedback, allowing for precise control of gas flow and pressure to prevent over-pressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cracking pressure of the safety valve is set high to prevent intermittent leaking, then valve reliability is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to over-pressurization risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cracking pressure adjustable rather than fixed. The safety valve transitions from a static, non-adjustable component to a dynamic one where the cracking pressure can be modified intra-operatively based on patient size and surgical requirements. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the valve to adapt to different conditions - set lower for pediatric patients to prevent over-pressurization while maintaining reliability through controlled adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by enabling modification of the cracking pressure parameter. The valve spring pressure, which determines cracking pressure, can be adjusted via a adjustment mechanism that changes the spring preload or effective length. This allows the critical pressure parameter to be optimized for each specific surgical case, eliminating the harmful over-pressurization risk associated with fixed high settings.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cracking pressure is set low for pediatric patients or low-flow surgeries, then patient safety is improved, but valve reliability deteriorates due to frequent opening
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustability of cracking pressure allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements. For pediatric patients or low-flow surgeries, the cracking pressure is set low to ensure safety, while the ability to adjust it provides stability by matching the valve characteristics to the specific application, preventing frequent unintended openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms including pressure sensors and flow sensors that monitor the insufflation conditions. This feedback allows the control system to maintain appropriate cracking pressure settings and respond to actual system conditions, ensuring valve stability by preventing frequent opening through proper pressure management and detection of legitimate versus abnormal pressure changes.
3Device complexity
If the safety valve is made non-adjustable to simplify the device, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates dynamic adjustment capability through an adjustment mechanism that modifies the valve spring characteristics. This mechanical adjustment system adds minimal complexity while providing significant adaptability, allowing the cracking pressure to be customized for different patient sizes and surgical requirements without requiring complex electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes by providing a mechanism to adjust the valve spring preload or effective length, thereby changing the cracking pressure parameter. This simple parameter adjustment capability provides broad adaptability across different surgical applications while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through mechanical rather than electronic adjustment mechanisms.
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 safe and adaptable insufflation by dynamically setting cracking pressures below typical limits, reducing over-pressurization risks and enhancing safety during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The lead screw drives a pressure plate in contact with one end of a valve spring, effectively changing an installed length of the valve spring
Implementation Method 2
a valve spring, effectively changing an installed length of the valve spring. The shortening of the installed length of the valve spring linearly correlates with increasing the cracking pressure
Implementation Method 3
the variable safety valve includes an electric motor for intra-operatively adjusting the cracking pressure of the variable safety valve
Data Source
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AI summary
An insufflator is disclosed for delivering surgical gas from a gas source to a patient's body cavity during a surgical procedure, which includes an electrically variable safety valve adapted and configured to prevent over-pressurization of the patient's body cavity during the surgical procedure by venting the surgical gas in the patient's body cavity to atmosphere when a cracking pressure of the variable safety valve is exceeded.